@ Elderman - Typical frothing-at-the-mouth diatribe on a thread you have hijacked to preach your sanctimonious gibberings.
Elderman Says -
"Are we not also living in an age of uncontrolled violence, bloodshed, and immorality?" The survey ( and logic, and reason) says - No, actually. Thats what laws and the courts are for, thats why we have police and Crimewatch is for. As for immorality, well actions termed immoral are almost invariably called that by the zealots, for whom sex and sexuality are problematic.
Elderman says ; " Regardless of what man does to try to rectify the damage he has done to the physical earth, he can never restore to life the estimated one hundred million who have died in his wars during this century; nor can he bring back the millions murdered by criminals or the countless sad victims who die of hunger."
The survey says - more gloomy guts nonsense. Man can do a lot to aid the earth - hence the global green and evironmental protection movements,a cause that grows stronger each year. There are setbacks for sure, but lots of people, scientists, naturalists and governments are recognising the value of the environment and working harder to preserve it.Whilst it's true we cannot restore the dead to life, let us remember that many of those deaths can be laid at the door of fanatical adherence to religion - the schisms of religious dogma result in the blood of the innocent being shed. The bigger picture shows exponential growth of the global human population.Hunger and poverty are serious issues, but do not try to suggest that only the church attempt to do anything constructive about it- far from it.
Elderman says - " Certainly, he cannot restore the estimated 40 to 60 million unborn babies whose lives are ended by abortion each year."
The survey says - Number of abortions globally is around 40-50 million. The total number of global live births is around 140 million a year. No one should be blase or casual about abortions, - 40 million is far, far too many - but in developing countries to outlaw abortion would ultimately exacerbate problems created by hunger and poverty. In developed countries, the incidence of abortion, especially late term abortion, is tending to trend either static or showing a gradually decrease - greater access to and education in contraception. To equate every termination with the loss of an individual shows a lack of understanding of embryology and biology. Ultimately, to outlaw abortion, the zealots preferred option, would deprive women of their reproductive rights and once again return them to the status of brood mares- a position that the religious fanatics would love.
Elderman says;
" Reason tells us that God must soon act to save the earth from man’s ruinous activities, and Bible prophecy confirms this."
The survey says, - more mystical / religious bullpuckey. Reason, logic and evidence tell us that there is no god. If you wish to believe, in the absence of any convincing evidence thats fine, but we should not be shaping global policy around the likely appearance of a supernatural, omnipotent being. And biblical prophecy has been repeatedly shown as false - twisting prophecy to fit historical events, and ignoring the glaring inconsistencies this causes.
Elderman says - " The Bible says that he will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) Just as a landlord ejects a destructive tenant, so God will “eject” those who ruin his beautiful creation, the earth. "
The survey ( and logic, and reason) says - Really? If the situation is as bad as you say, why not now? why not a decade a go? Laziness on gods part? can't find his smiting stick? Whats this god of yours waiting for? So many of the more frothing at the mouth zealots have predicted the end of the world, giving precise dates - and time after time, the world has - ermm carried on regardless.