Atheists & Agnostics
Related: About this forumBook reviews for "Taking Back Astronomy - The Heavens Declare Creation and Science Confirms It"
From the author:
Introduction
Each of us has a worldviewa way of thinking about the world in which we live. We all have certain beliefs: ideas that we hold to be true. These beliefs affect how we see the world and how we interpret the things we experience.
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Two Views
The Bible claims to be the authoritative Word of God. If an all-powerful, all-knowing God did indeed give us the Bible by inspiring men to write it, then Scripture would certainly provide a solid foundation for our way of thinking. The Bible provides answers to the most important questions people ask: What is the purpose of our existence? How did this world come about? What happens when we die? Why is there death and suffering in the world? How should we live?
Furthermore, the Bible is a history book which has demonstrated its accuracy time and time again. When it comes to matters of origins, it makes sense to consult an accurate history book, one recorded by eyewitnesses. Ultimately, we can base our beliefs about origins on the Word of God, or the speculations of other human beings. When it comes to the details of the creation of the universe, we can choose to trust God (who was there), or man (who was not).
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Many critics have suggested that we should not start from the Biblethat this is unscientific. However, if the Bible really is absolutely true, if it really is accurate history, wouldnt it be unscientific to ignore this information? Is it logical to deny recorded history, and choose to rely instead on guesswork? Since all scientific evidence must be interpreted in light of some worldview, it seems very reasonable to base our worldview on the infallible Word of the Creator. I have found that the Bible is a sure foundation for a worldview that is logical, moral, self-consistent, and consistent with the evidence.
From AIG:
Stunning photographs. Cutting-edge information. Awe-inspiring facts. As a speaker, Jason Lisle is one of the creation movements most popular. As an author, this book reveals that hes also one of its most articulate! With his Ph.D. in astrophysics earned from the University of Colorado, Dr. Lisle communicates the truths of creation and the fallacies of evolution with authority and enthusiasm. In this richly illustrated book, Lisle debunks the most widely accepted teachings about the idea of evolution. Readers are given solid answers to many questions, including the speed of light, the big bang, extraterrestrials, the reliability of the Bible regarding astronomy, and more. Keep this one out in plain view, because its a great discussion-starter!
From Amazon:
Chapter 1 surveyed the universe & our solar system. Chapter 2 explained what the Bible says about the universe & how modern science has confirmed much of it even though ancient astronomers didn't accept what the Bible stated on the topic.
Chapter 3 talked about the age of the universe, why secular astronomy gives billions of years instead of the biblical ~6,000 years, the many ways that the Big Bang doesn't match the biblical account of the origin & end of the universe, the distant starlight problem versus the horizon problem, problems with the day-age compromise, evidence that confirms a young universe & why explanations as to how these evidences can be explained in a billions-of-years time-frame are unsupported.
Chapter 4 talked about modern astronomy & the problems with the Big Bang origins model. It also described how unique the earth is & touched on the subject of extraterrestrial life. Chapter 5 explained the conflicts between the biblical & secular worldviews & pointed out which one best fits the evidence found in astronomy.
"secular astronomy"
This was an incredible book! When it first said it would be merely an introduction, I got the idea that it would mostly be pictures, with a few captions explaining them. It was exactly the opposite! There were SO MANY facts, refuting evolutionary and naturalist arguments in many areas of astronomy. The big bang, millions of years, Oort Cloud, baryon number, you name it! It gives all of this from a Christian standpoint, and shows how the Bible confirms this science, and how this science confirms the Bible. All the pictures of galaxies, planets, and nebulae were astounding! Then, to top it off, he gives the Bible's good news itself into the last chapter! I was very pleased!
*I received a free copy of this book from the New Leaf Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.*
When an astrophysicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder writes a scientific book that says that the universe is not billions of years old, people should take notice. This book makes a lot of sense. It is both scientific and practical. Every college student should buy a copy and it will help them understand the other side of the scientific puzzle and how it connects with theist ideas
Nature or nurture?:
"Taking back Astronomy" is aptly named - this outlandish and hollow hermeneutic takes the science of Astronomy back in time to 1611 - the year Galileo faced the Inquisition for his Copernican views. Even by the shallow standards of junk "creation science" some of the assertions made in this book are simply astonishing.
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How could a Ph.D. in Astrophysics devolve into a pre-scientific shaman? It all comes down to misplaced faith and who signs the paycheck. The author, Jason Lisle, is an employee of Answers in Genesis (AiG), a credulous Young Earth Creationism disinformation clearinghouse. As such he has signed the following "Statement of Faith:"
BASICS ARTICLE 3: "The account of origins presented in Genesis is a simple but factual presentation of actual events and therefore provides a reliable framework for scientific research into the question of the origin and history of life, mankind, the Earth and the universe."
GENERAL ARTICLE 6: "No apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the Scriptural record."
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)two days in a row? This is too much to bear.
onager
(9,356 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)No more threads about creationists from me.
onager
(9,356 posts)I just wanted to post a bear facepalming pic.
Sometimes OPs get driven down the thread list, so it can be handy to have more than 1 thread on the same subject.
Even though it has been claimed that this is really a tiny group of malcontents who sock-puppet each other, or something like that. IIRC, the exact word used was "troublemakers." Or maybe "vermin..."
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)with several socks talking to ourself. It can be loads of fun once you get the hang of it.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I have a reputation to consider.
Seriously, I was curious about the book after finding out he was an actual scientist.
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)believing in creationism is just as legitimate as not believing in it.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)around Creationism while asserting that belief in fairies and non-belief in fairies are equally credible. Like with their Hedbo-Geller Victim Blaming, they refuse to apply their standards when the consequences of doing so is manifestly unacceptable.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)progressoid
(50,785 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Maybe they thought it was a spoof?
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)First is that they are paid (Probably by God in the afterlife for good works) second is that there are just that many people who actually buy into it. Mostly the first tho.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)This one must have slipped under the radar.
Some things should be mocked.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)Could have only gotten to a select audience so far too
mr blur
(7,753 posts)There's science and then there's fantastic drivel.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Luckily most of their kids will have to go into politics instead of science.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)"When an astrophysicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder writes a scientific book that says that the universe is not billions of years old, people should take notice."
Indeed they should.
So they know that even a PhD can be a complete wanker! Thousands (millions?) of PhD's from more credible schools of Astronomy and Cosmology (what astronomy is nowadays) are completely wrong because a single one, who has too much faith, wrote a book.
Take note.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And you were called irrational for not wanting that whack job to cut open your kid?
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)she owns her own salon now.
And knows way more about science than these knuckle draggers
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)..... how come he still has skin problems?
nil desperandum
(654 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Not so funny was what they did to Giordano Bruno for refusing to back down. Galileo was lucky he didn't meet the same fate.
Now creationists are trying to take credit by saying science proved the bible was right:
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)I just don't even know where they got this.
Out of their ass I suppose.
What an out and out lie.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Something in the Koolaid?
DetlefK
(16,486 posts)"The Bible claims to be the authoritative Word of God. If an all-powerful, all-knowing God did indeed give us the Bible by inspiring men to write it, then Scripture would certainly provide a solid foundation for our way of thinking."
Now all we need is a proof that God wrote the Bible.
"Furthermore, the Bible is a history book which has demonstrated its accuracy time and time again."
Please ignore the lack of specifics when it comes to times and places.
"I have found that the Bible is a sure foundation for a worldview that is logical, moral, self-consistent, and consistent with the evidence."
If you believe that, you believe that something comes from nothing, you support slavery, you believe that being a possessive control-freak equals love, and you believe that there is some unnamed "evidence" somewhere out there which vindicates you.
"...including the speed of light, the big bang, extraterrestrials, the reliability of the Bible regarding astronomy, and more."
Whoa! The Bible explains the difference between galileic and lorentzian coordinate-transformations?
And you should read the Amazon-review:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R26YTDUZME8D1D/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0890514712#R26YTDUZME8D1D