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How
can such a high percentage of a highly educated, well-read,
technologically and scientifically knowledgeable people believe in an
omnipotent being? Where inside of us is the biological process that allows
faith to exist? Not just to exist but to flourish. How do you define
the words soul, love, compassion, conscience, guilt or sorrow without
going outside the parameters of scientific definition?
To
choose to believe only what is scientifically provable is to assume, I
guess, that all human behavior can be traced to the basic instincts of
territoriality, reproduction of species, and survival. That a
conscience is a highly refined sophisticated mechanism that somehow helps
keep peace in the herd, insures that each member gets her share of the
kill, and that each dog in the pack gets a place in the pecking order.
If
Earth is truly just a long series of accidental chemical bondings and
adaptation to the environment, and God has no hand in it, then those
animal rights folks who say a rat is a dog is a baby, are
right. Human existence on earth would have no significance, no more
than dinosaurs, rocks, oxygen, stars, wars, or renal dialysis. As
Bertrand Russell, an atheist, once said, "Unless one assumes a God,
any discussion of life’s purpose is meaningless."
One
of the dilemmas that deep thinkers have is the need to explain the
biological, physical, neural or meteorological mechanisms that allow
something to happen. Miracles are hard for them to swallow. There must be
some earthly explanation that the Red Sea parted, Lazarus rose from the
dead, and Jesus turned water to wine.
It
is necessary for them to write off Jesus feeding the multitude. To
conclude the Bible is more fiction than fact. That Christmas is just a
benign commercial day off.
But
for the vast majority of Americans, Christmas is the recognition of
something bigger than ourselves. It also strengthens our beliefs and
reminds us that Jesus was born to change the world and that He has. Our
entire concept of God exists by faith. It’s not
complicated. When I’m asked if I believe Christ was born of a
virgin, I say, of course! If I can believe in something so all mighty,
all-powerful and unbelievable as God, I can surely believe Jesus was His
son.
Merry
Christmas, and God bless you.
Baxter
Black is a former large animal veterinarian who can be followed nationwide
through this column, National Public Radio, public appearances, television
and also through his books, cds, videos and website, www.baxterblack.com.
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