Is it possible to post a longer quote?
How is the editor of Nature committing an act of warfare against Christianity by stating his views? Your OP shows that the editor's statement was made in an editorial, not a published scientific paper."With all deference to the sensibilities of religious people, the idea that man was created in the image of God can surely be put aside."
The reason I said that it was open warfare against Christianity is because it is essentially only certain Christian denominations (with the possible exception of a few small Jewish sects) who insist that human beings were "created in the image of God".
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Note the repetition for emphasis).
Thus, the act of "blowing off" this Christian belief that the editor of Nature did in his opening sentence, constitutes an act of open warfare against those who believe that the Bible is the word of God (according to the latest polls, a majority of Americans).
No amount of weasel wording can hide this act of open warfare against believing Christians.
The Nature editor was wise for not trying this against Moslems.
How is the editor of Nature committing an act of warfare against Christianity by stating his views? Your OP shows that the editor's statement was made in an editorial, not a published scientific paper.
Incidentally, while the Bible may state specifically that man was created in the image of God, it is not only Christians or Jews who believe this. For example, some Hindus believe that Lord Brahma split himself in two to create male and female. Other Hindus believe that all living things are derived from Lord Brahma's body. You might also want to investigate the Apache creation story.
I'm sure he had the foresight to how his remarks would be viewed. You see, there are some people in this world who do not kowtow to every group that may be offended by what they say. Nature is a scientific periodical, after all.Apparently the editor must feel that the editorial page of a scientific journal is an appropriate place to publish personal opinions that are bound to offend the religious beliefs of a large segment of the Western society he lives in. On the other hand since Nature is a British publication he may feel comfortable doing this from there. But to me I can't help but wonder why he would do such a provocative thing? Is he frustrated that after all these years that so many people still believe in the Bible? Somehow I feel that this latest approach will backfire.
You stated in you OP that it is only "certain Christian denominations (with the possible exception of a few small Jewish sects) who insist that human beings were 'created in the image of God.'"bob b said:BTW, is your reply intended to be a refutation or only the normal tactic of critics to obfuscate?
He just seems to be saying that the idea of creationism can be cast aside. Not really too controversial amongst the scientific community.
And Christians truly question why they have received labels to the degree of "warmongers." A writer freely expresses his opinion in a paper only to be misconstrued as beginning some sort of violent conflict.
The editorial page of a prestigious scientific journal was not the place to express a personal opinion using a wording from the Bible ("image of God") to express his contempt for people of faith. Creationism and/or ID must be making great inroads with the public fto cause someone in his position to do such a thing as he did in the way that he did.
The more such things happen the more people will begin to see that atheists are now openly engaging in warfare with people of faith.
The mask has been thrown off.
ed·i·to·ri·al /ˌɛdɪˈtɔriəl, -ˈtoʊr-/
–noun
1. an article in a newspaper or other periodical presenting the opinion of the publisher, editor, or editors.
You truly are a piece of work, bob. Would you care to redefine the entire English dictionary while you're at it? You've been on quite a roll today, between this and other threads.
One might ask, if an editorial is apparently not the place to relate an opinion, then where is?
Actually, it isn't even an opinion, but a scientifically established fact, if all that he is saying is that we weren't created fully formed by a god. That is why I wanted to see the rest of the editorial.
The editorial page of a prestigious scientific journal was not the place to express a personal opinion using a wording from the Bible ("image of God") to express his contempt for people of faith. Creationism and/or ID must be making great inroads with the public fto cause someone in his position to do such a thing as he did in the way that he did.
The more such things happen the more people will begin to see that atheists are now openly engaging in warfare with people of faith.
The mask has been thrown off.
If an editorial were published in a religious magazine slighting atheists would you be equally angry?
Why should I? Are religious magazines supposed to be neutral on the subject of God in the same way that science journals claim they are neutral about God?
The reason the general public accepts current science teaching in schools is because scientists claim they are neutral about God (a baldfaced lie of course, as the editorial in Nature makes abundantly clear).
So because science is religiously neutral, all scientists must be as well? If a scientist writes an editorial in which he confesses his personal belief in God and that man is made in His image you would be as outraged as you are by a scientist voicing his personal belief that man is not made in God's image?
Silly boy. If such an editorial appeared in a science journal the editor would be fired immediately on the grounds that an editorial in a science journal was not the place to express personal opinions about religion.
Why should I? Are religious magazines supposed to be neutral on the subject of God in the same way that science journals claim they are neutral about God?
The reason the general public accepts current science teaching in schools is because scientists claim they are neutral about God (a baldfaced lie of course, as the editorial in Nature makes abundantly clear).