hominids, humanoids & humans

The word hominid refers to any great ape (likely to be considered a primitive form of human), while the word humanoid means that something resembles a human. Understanding these two concepts, we're curious to understand what a human really is -- aside from merely referring to humans as naked apes.

Some would say that the human animal comes from homo erectus who became homo habilis who then became homo sapiens. As a person of science, I understand and believe this.

The problem comes when science crashes with the Bible. The Abrahamic faiths teach us that we -- humans -- were created by God in his image. As a Christian, I know and believe this too.

I once asked a science teacher (sixth grade) who/what came first -- dinosaurs or Adam and Eve. I wasn't trying to push religion or any other belief. It was merely an innocent, naive and stupid question to ask within the NYC public school system. Needless to say (type), two and half decades later, I'm still waiting for an intelligent answer.

On a personal level, I've never been able to combine these two concepts and come up with an intelligent answer of my own. Of course, I haven't seen anyone else do so. The best attempt someone had trying to combine these two theories was drawing out a fairly simple mathematical equation that proved that God created the cosmos and mankind in seven days as the Bible says, but each day was equal to some fixed amount of time other than a twenty-four-hour time period. I remember watching this on the 700 Club back in 1992. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of this theologian and I haven't been able to find this information ever since.

At the end of the day or rather times, I guess we should answer (ourselves at least) these two questions.

1. Are we just stupid naked apes making up the concept and stories of gods in order to explain what we don't understand (life, death, etc)?
2. Then again, did God test different creations till he decided that we were good enough to continue existing (at least for the time being)?

Christian individualism

Christianity -- as most religions -- is a social expression of love and worship to the Godhead. Nonetheless, at times, we don't want to be surrounded by other humans and/or other creatures for that matter. Hence we remain as individuals -- away from society, away from others with our faith in one hand and doubting pains in the other. As odd as this concept (personal point of view) may seem, I've done the latter several, especially as I was looking for my faith (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2008/12/confused-no-news-there.html). In this personal search, I've found God several times especially sharing my faith and lack of with friends I've made in church (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-church-friends-unexpected-fellowship.html) and others in and outside the Church environment. Considering this last statement, I wonder if I'd feel as much faith as I've got right now (so immensely little, broken & in doubt) if I were going to another church. I honestly think it could be much less (if any spiritual change if any at all) going somewhere else. Hence I thank the fellows at FAPC for giving me a chance to grow spiritually (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/open-letter-to-my-friends-86-weeks.html), not merely intellectually knowing facts about Christianity (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/denominational-non-denominational.html) and its comparison to other faith systems (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/07/without-spirit.html & http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/08/quarreling-siblings.html).

the political circus & God

When I was growing up (70's & 80's), religion didn't seem to be too important in politics. Nowadays it seems that it's too important to be religious for a politician.

Atheists, Theists, and Agnostics, Oh My!
http://www.debategod.org/members/debategod/blog/VIEW/00000002/00000075/Atheists-Theists-and-Agnostics-Oh-My.html

As of late, this has brought more questions of the religious beliefs of the man that America elected as a President. I don't believe he's Christian especially after canceling the National Day of Prayer (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/politically-incorrect-so-what-good-for.html).

Newsweek Poll: 24% Think Obama is a Muslim | Politics | Christianity Today.
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2010/08/newsweek_poll_2.html

I'm not going to deny the importance that religion has in my political views as an adult. I want to know why this Christian nation's been destroyed by politicians and other individuals.

The GOP, Tea Party and other conservatives seem to be heterosexual men and women who call themselves believers (Abrahamic faiths). At the same time, democrats and liberals seem to be a mix of straight, gay, theists (believers), atheists, agnostics and those who commonly feel alienated especially foreigners (gullible virgins to the political propaganda machine).

Although these two political groups are like day and night, both groups tailor their political doctrine to different crowds and out of greed (power, money, sex, murder, war, etc) have corrupted and hurt this nation numerous times. In either case, being recognized as a theist (regardless of the corruption, sex or other scandals, lies, etc) has helped and made political careers.

From all the propaganda, lies and scandals, I'm a registered republican and have also supported the Tea Party and other conservative movements or agendas. Said the latter, I must point out that I've preferred conservatives for years even before coming back to the Church (late August 2008).

As a matter of fact, I'd vote for Sarah Palin if she decided to run for president in 2012 (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/08/2012.html). At the same time, the biggest ring leader of the political circus is Glenn Beck who complaints on a daily basis of what liberals are doing against this nation. Some (liberals especially) are even thinking the possibility of a Palin/Beck ticket -- as a form of mockery. Then again, behind every joke there's some truth and in this case possibly fear.

without the spirit

Common ideology and theology can be tricky and sometimes hard to accept to say the least.

"Civilization is static unless there is spiritual movement. The soul moves the body, and the living body moves the world. We are concerned about the body, but we have no knowledge of the spirit that is moving that body. Without the spirit, the body is motionless, or dead."
-- "Science of Self Realization"
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

After reading this quote of one of my favorite books, most would think that the author of such book is some sort of Judeo-Christian theologian, philosopher or at least writer. The use of the word "spirit" is so loose in religion that it may refer to the Holy Spirit (Christianity), the spirit of God, a person's soul as a synonym, a ghost or other life force. Hence a Christian might conclude that the author refers to the Holy Spirit. We could understand it as, "Without the [Holy Spirit], the body is motionless, or dead."

The text above is actually from my favorite book on Krishna -- "Science of Self Realization" by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (http://www.iskcon.org/).

The concept of the Godhead is shared by many religions. It was actually reading this book that I understood that all living creatures exist to accomplish a common will of God.

"We living entities, being parts and parcels of God, are dutybound to serve Him."
-- "Science of Self Realization"
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

This common concept explains our function in God's creation. Of course, there are other details in Krishna that don't apply to the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Hence I'm not interested to talk about them here.

At the same time, in the same book we can see the common belief that we must accept God in our lives.

"God is there, and we can see Him at every moment. If we refuse to see God in our life, then He will be present before us as cruel death. If we do not choose to see Him in one feature, we will see Him in another."
-- "Science of Self Realization"
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Once again, it may feel confusing to understand that these quotes that I'm using here are Krishna -- a religion that we -- Christians -- tend to see as Pagan or even ungodly. Of course, at the end of the day there's only one God and we -- humans -- have given Him different names. Then again, Christianity may be derived from the same core concepts of a common ancient and forgotten religion or mere group of beliefs. This latter can be highly rejected by many, but understood by those who aren't too blind or stubborn.