You've got it backwards. The laws of the universe were set by the big bang. It's not that "the universe was tuned to suit life," but rather life needed to evolve according to the conditions on earth, otherwise it wouldn't survive.
No purpose, nothing but chance, nothing but unanswered life and harmony for absoloutely no reason. Why do I think it has to have a reason? Look around you, everything from a pen to the moon has a purpose. It's a law of the universe.
It depends on what you mean by purpose? The biological purpose of mankind is to survive and reproduce - the same as all other forms of life. Are you hinting toward some other, perhaps spiritual, purpose?
No other creature has free will, as it is, there is no greater candidate as a gardener or keeper of earth than man.
The natural laws are responsible for keeping things in order. Where does the need for something supernatural come into play?
What would make the creator of something any less natural than the object itself? In effect, the natural laws are his will in action.
The bible a guidebook to life? That's laughable. Have you read it? Here's a small taste of the wonders of the bible:
"They found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. ... And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones.... And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses." Numbers 15:32-56
Should we stone people to death for working on Sundays? That's one of the rules in your guidebook.
How about burning people to death?
"If a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you." Leviticus 20:14
There are plenty other lovely passages I could mention. I always get a good laugh when someone says the bible sets a good example of morality. Most of the time they haven't even read it.
Indeed, it is a good example of morality. The Mosiac laws was very much so serious. An eye for an eye prehaps, or soul for soul. This was due to the sacrifce by Jesus Christ not having took place yet, which "paid" for all mans sin originating from the original sin, including sin yet to take place by imperfect man.
Man's adherence to Law/principles by Jehovah God is the purest form of morality, considering he created us and knows what is both good and bad (for us). Consider prehaps the marriage and family system also.
Of course since the Christian congregation was established it is much different now, heh however considering your reply I gather you would be less than interested in further teachings unfortunately. Should you be interested however, this is a good topic.
The “Old Testament”: “Written for Our Instruction” - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site
I may only be studying at the moment, but im not clueless to what the bible is and what it contains, there is no need to take things out of context of their peroid and setting.
Where you see religion, others see probability or logic. You describe such a simple religious life, as if god were to free you from all intellectual thought.
It is more of a new light of vision than simplifying life, prehaps it is that the biblical answers are more clear and straight forward than theory. Trust me on this however, there is no loss of intellectual pursuits by a long shot, more of the reverse as there is alot to build on. A rough example, many scientists believe in creation but it does not stop or prevent them from doing what they do.
#21
