Faith Determines Everything

         In life we base many things we do on faith. From the type movies we watch, decisions we make, the way we act, how we work, believing our car will start, etc., everything in life is determined by what one believes.

         I believe that nothing has a greater impact on the way someone acts than his/her belief in the origin of the universe. One's entire world view (which defines how one interprets ideas, events, facts, and is also the basis upon which we form our opinions on all things) is based on this supposition. Additionally, one's world view stems from our belief about the origin of the universe-the answer to the question "where did we come from?" In scientific and popular circles alike, a simple set of facts can be interpreted completely differently. There are two competing theories on this topic; creation and evolution. Creation means to cause to come into existence (Webster's 325). The term evolution is as easy to define. In fact, it really takes two terms to describe evolution. First, microevolution means small scale hereditary changes in organisms through mutations and recombinations, resulting in the formation of slightly differing varieties (Webster's 856). Secondly, macroevolution is defined as the large-scale and long-range evolution involving the appearance of new genera, families, etc. of organisms (Webster's 810). Scientists have seen the need for the distinction between the two concepts. These two definitions of evolution are mistakenly used synonymously, so as you can see simply using the term evolution presents a conflict within itself that we will examine later. From now on I will use the term macro- and microevolution appropriately. The debate is that creation is religious, and it is, and that macroevolution is science, and it is not. Macroevolution is also a religion (Hovind). "In fact, evolution became in a sense a scientific religion; almost all scientists have accepted it and many are prepared to 'bend' their observations to fit in with it (Lipson)." No one was there to see the "Big Bang." Likewise, no one was there to hear "Let there be light." Both are based in faith. The macroevolution Theory makes the presupposition that there is no God or intelligent designer , therefore, all things happened out of blind, random chance.          The primary assumption is that God does not exist, and this presumption affects the way scientific facts and national laws are interpreted. In 1977 the Federal Supreme Court cases of Theriault v. Silber and the case of Malpak v. Yogi ruled that atheism is a viable First Amendment Religion. Also, Turasco v. Watkins (1985) ruled that Humanism is also a viable religion, protected by the First Amendment. Webster's Dictionary defines atheism as "the belief that there is no God, or denial that God or gods exist. Notice, according to the courts rulings and the definition, atheism is a religion that practices non-religion. This is called an oxymoron, such as jumbo shrimp. Above I stated that evolution creates a conflict within itself.          Here is the explanation. Microevolution is true. It is testable and observable by science. It is true that corn will always produce corn. Sure, there are lots of varieties of corn, such as American Indian Maize, but it is still corn.

         The same is true with birds. There are really strange birds on this planet. For example, the ostrich is a bird found naturally only in the Savannah areas of Africa. As an adult, the ostrich can grow to heights of over 7 feet by 16 to 18 months of age. They continue to increase in weight after this time with adult males reaching over 300 pounds. This extraordinary amount of muscle mass allows the bird to run at speeds of up to 40 mph (Western FAQ). Amazingly, this bird does not fly! However, it is still a bird. The same can be said about plants. Dionaea muscipula (the Venus Flytrap) is a carnivorous plant. Yes, it actually eats flesh. The Bristley leaves actively close together to trap prey.

         Insects trigger the trap by touching hairs which grow on the leaves (hairs must be stimulated in a certain manner and for a certain amount of time). "The mechanism is triggered off by 3 sensitive hairs on the upper surface of each part, and the trap can close in a fraction of a second when a small insect touches them. (Hay, R., McQuown, F.R., Beckett, G. and K. 163). This insect-eating plant does not need flies to survive. It flourishes in a closed garden or terrarium which simulates the humid atmosphere of its native Carolina habitat (Arthurs 56). Please read the following quote from the book of Genesis: 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind, and God saw that it was good 21 And God created great whales , and every living creature that moveth, which water brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth after his kind and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Nine times does God say, "after his kind" in the first chapter of Genesis. It is obvious that God wants us to understand that each plant and animal will only produce offspring of its own likeness. Yes microevolution is true. It can be observed and tested by science, and it is also consistent with the Word of God. However, that does not mean that all the plants and animals evolved from a rock. The chart below (Ex. 3) will help clarify my statements. It is not difficult to accept the fact that a rose will produce a variety of roses, but then takes an incredible leap of faith to conclude that the rose itself came from a rock! To further clarify my statements, please look at the appendix. You will notice that the creationist view and the Macroevolutionary view are opposite. (Ex. 3 Hovind).

         The creationists believe that the Earth was instantly created 6,000 years ago, 4,400 years ago there was a flood that destroyed the world, and since then there has been a lot of variety in all animals, plants, and humans, but no macroevolution. The macroevolutionists believe that 20 billion years ago nothingness became something, then something exploded. 4.6 billion years ago the Earth formed a crust (rock). They also believe that it rained on the crust (rock) for millions on years until life formed in the water puddles (approx. 3 billion years ago). Since then, life evolved into what we have today. The basic problem with the macroevolutionists belief is that it contradicts the very laws of science. There are certain scientific laws that govern our universe. One such law is the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Physicist Lord Kelvin stated it technically as follows: "There is no natural process the only result of which is to cool a heat reservoir and do external work." In more understandable terms, this law observes the fact that the usable energy in the universe is becoming less and less. Ultimately there would be no available energy left. Stemming from this fact we find that the most probable state for any natural system is one of disorder. All natural systems degenerate when left to themselves (Smith 241). If one of the basic laws of the universe state that every thing is getting worse, and the Bible confirms that in the Book of Genesis with the fall of man, then the Macroevolutionists are simply not paying attention to what they are saying. How is it possible for macroevolution to produce improvement in everything? Does not the Second Law clearly state the opposite? Another problem here is that, when confronted with this fact, the evolutionary faithful redefine their own rules and laws so as to "solve" the theoretical problems. It is simply another attempt to remove God from existence. Which proves my point. Faith is everything.

         Another example: In 1969 when the first human landed on the moon and was about to take his moment in history the scientists back on earth were wondering something very important. For years prior to that day, scientists had been preparing for the landing, and a great many ideas were generated in regard to the survival of the astronauts. One particular concern was about the amount of cosmic dust build up on the lunar surface. You see, scientists and engineers measured the amount of dust that falls on the earth each year. And since is was assumed (another valid, scientific method of calculation) that the moon was just as old as the earth, and the earth was 4.5 billion years old, then there should be a lot of dust on the moon's surface-and there was supposed to be a lot of it. If one looks at the lunar lander from the Apollo 11 mission one will observe large spoon like-feet on the legs of the lunar lander. These spoon-like feet were added to the lander in anticipation for a great deal of dust build up on the moon. Even the radio packs used by the astronauts were supposed to be made dust proof for fear that Armstrong and Aldrin would sink into the deep build up. The amount of dust actually observed on the moon showed the scientists that the moon is less than 10,000 years old, according to their own measurements. However, by 1972 these scientists had altered their official measurements so that the actual amount of dust could still justify a belief in evolution. These scientists, who successfully put men on the moon and brought them back, decided they couldn't add or subtract when it came to the lunar dust; so they revised their findings to support evolution (Hovind).

         Back to the previous topic. Since it is known that all living things will produce of their kind, the same is true for dinosaurs. Movies such as Jurassic Park say that dinosaurs (big lizards) turned into birds. This is all false information, another faithful leap on the part of scientists and imaginative others. According to the Word of God and the Laws of Science, Dinosaurs will never produce birds. Dinosaurs will only bring forth of their kind. We know that Dinosaurs were (some I believe are still alive today) real, but how do they fit into the creation account? The Bible speaks of dinosaurs. An excerpt from Job chapters 40 and 41 describe two creatures. The first is from Job chapter 40 starting at verse 15:

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his lions, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tale like as cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong as pieces of brass ; his bone are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him...
23 Behold he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not:

Job chapter 41 starting at verse one:

1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tounge with a cord which thou leetest down.
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make any supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them...
18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth...
25 When he raiseth up himself the mighty are afraid: by reason of breaking they purify themselves.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned wit him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted stubble : he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

         Starting with chapter 40, the creature is called behemoth. My Bible (King James reference version) says that this animal is a large animal, exact identity unknown. If you read the description of the animal, it sounds like the description of a brachiosaur. Some may argue that this is an elephant, but elephants do not have tales that move like cedar trees. In verse 19 says He is the chief of the ways of God. We know that the brachiosaur was perhaps the largest creature to ever walk the planet. If you compare the size of an elephant to the size of a brachiosaur, you will see that an elephant could not be the chief of the ways of God. Also, in verse 23, "Behold he drinketh up a river... " Also notice footnote number eight. If you were to take an elephant and put him in a raging river he would probably die. However, to a 100 foot brachiosaur this would not be a problem. Finally, Job chapter 41 speaks of a very old creature. If you read the chapter you will find that this is a fire breathing dragon. Interestingly, the word dinosaur comes from two Greek words; deinos, meaning terrible; and sauros, meaning lizard. Therefore, the word dinosaur means, terrible lizard! Is it possible that fire breathing dragons existed? Well, that depends on what you believe. I have two reasons why I believe they did. First and foremost, God said there was one. It does no good for God to talk about a creature that does not exist. For example, Genesis chapter three, verse one says, "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made." We know that there really are serpents. There is the story of how a lion attacked Samson and the story of Daniel in the lion's den. We know that there really are lions. Job chapter one verse three says "His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men in the east." Well, we also know that sheep, camels, and donkeys exist. Therefore if God described a fire breathing dragon, should we not believe there actually was one? Secondly, it is anatomically and scientifically possible to have fire breathing dragons. For instance, I have found a very odd beetle called the bombardier beetle. Bombardier beetle has two sacs in its abdomen. One sac contains hydrogen peroxide and the other contains hydroquinones. When these two chemicals combine they explode, they burn at 212 degree heat. The temperature of boiling water. There is another chemical that neutralizes both chemicals so the insect will not kill itself. There is also another chemical that neutralizes the inhibitor so that when the beetle is attacked, it can defend itself. "The ejection system of the beetle shows basic similarity to Bombardier Beetle (http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s44387.htm) the pulse jet propulsion mechanism of the German V1 'buzz' bomb of World War II. What the beetle has "evolved" is an inherent explosive process that fires about 500 pulses per second. The explosive energy comes from two separate fluids (hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide with oxidative enzymes). The fundamental question is of course, how can many small random mutations contribute to the development of the mechanism of the pulse jet, its two fuels, the pump, the fuel reservoirs, the control system, etc, when only the complete, perfected system has survival value? Although the creationists argue that the theories of evolution and natural selection are unconvincing here, it is still possible that atheistic factors still beyond our ken are operating, and that what we really need is a better theory of evolution (Jeffery 248:1219)." The author wants to believe in macroevolution. If you cannot find facts to support your theory, then you need to get another theory.

         Did fire breathing dragons exist? Well, that depends on what you believe. If you believe that the universe is billions of years old and that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, you will have a hard time with this one. However, if you believe that the universe is only 6,000 ,approximately, and that man and dinosaurs lived at the same time, then this makes perfect sense. If we have fire breathing beetles, then it not so difficult to understand that a ferocious lizard such as Tyrannosaurus Rex could have been fire breathing. Unfortunately, those with the world view that rejects God are trapped into thinking these dragons were fictitious.

         They have no choice but to think of evolution as fact, and are brainwashed into thinking they "evolved" from a rock. Macroevolution is spoken of as if it is scientific fact. Everything from NPR, to the mass media, and especially "edutainment" channels such as Discovery and TLC only add to the mind control. Adolf Hitler once said that if you tell a lie long enough, loud enough, and often enough, people believe it. Television is not a bad thing, but one should consider the source of the information and should be willing to do the research necessary to confirm or reject what they hear.

Conclusion

         There are four basic questions in life. (1) Who am I? (2) Where did I come from? (3) Why am I here? (4) Where am I going when I die? The answer to these four basic questions will determine everything you value in life. If you believe in creation, then you are the child of the one who made you. If you believe in macroevolution, then you are just a piece of protoplasm that washed up on a beach. If you believe in creation , then the reason you exist is to serve and obey the one who made you. If you believe in Macroevolution, then there is no purpose to life. Just eat, drink, and be merry because when you die that is it. Time is up. You just get recycled into the universe. If you believe in creation, however, when I die, I will face my maker and be held accountable for my actions. This is why faith truly determines everything.

Works Cited

Arthurs, Kathryn, Editor. Terrariums and Miniature Gardens. Menlo Park: Lane Books, 1974.

Hay, Rogy, McQuown, F.R., Beckett, G. and K. The Dictionary of Indoor Plants in Colour. London: Peerage Books, 1974.

Hovind, Kent E, Dr. "Public School Presentation". Creation Sceience Evangelism.

Hovind, Kent E, Dr. "Seminar Part One". Creation Sceience Evangelism.

Jeffery, Dean. "Defense of the Bombardier Beetle a Biological Pulse Jet". Science Frontiers #71. Sept.-Oct. 1990: 248:1219.

Lipson, H. S. "A Physicist's Looks at Evolution." Physics Bulletin, vol. 31, p. 138.

Lord Kelvin as quoted in A.W. Smith and J.N. Cooper. Elements of Physics. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing, 1972.

Taylor, Paul S. Adapted from "The Illustrated ORIGINS Answer Book. Online". Mesa: Eden Communications, 1999.

Webster's New World Dictionary of American English. 3rd ed. 1986

Westen Ostrich. http://home.earthlink.net/~smpinkowski/wofaq.htm. Online. Earthlink.net.