"In the beginning God created the Earth... "
I have my disputes regarding religion. I am a Christian and I believe in the trinity; however, I don't always understand. As a result, I have questions.
I remember an argument we had in Sunday school. Since the beginning of time, there has been an ongoing debate between science and religion. I'm 23 years old. I've been an active church member since the age of 9 and I started taking science courses around the same time. In science I learned about the Big Bang Theory (the scientific version of Earth's creation) but in church I learned that God created the Earth in 7 days. No one really knows the truth about Earth's creation. Science relies on facts and religion runs off faith, so if you're more visual than spiritual, then you're more likely to believe a scientist over a preacher. Now my original Sunday school teacher allowed open discussions, so I introduced the previous issue. I wasn't attempting to reject my religion, I was basically trying to let her know that the issue should be addressed. We spend years in school learning about one thing and then we spend years in church learning the complete opposite. That can be confusing for young children especially when our parents push the importance of education. My questions: How do I maintain my faith when I'm taught that what I believe in is wrong? If God created the earth in 7 days, why does my teacher claim that the Earth was created as a result of the Big Bang Theory? Am I going against my religion by subjecting myself to the teachings of science?
The teacher (who is an advocate of education) informed the class that there was nothing wrong with being taught as long as we maintain our own beliefs. Ok-that satisfied my questions. Now in continuing with our 'open' discussion, I introduced another issue I had. Explanation: I've heard preachers comment on how their religion is "correct" and shun other religions. My experience with religion has revolved around Baptist teachings. I have friends who are Catholic and Jehovah Witness. My father's African Methodist and I've met a Protestant. Each denomination has their own beliefs. My Point: Most religion is based on faith. Having faith indicates that we believe in something. We are physically unable to see it but we believe or have faith in it's existence. My question: Who determined which religion was right? How do we know for sure that what we believe in is correct? What if we worship the same God but reference him differently? The teacher's response: BLASPHEMY!!