GodSend said:
Well, I'm a pragmatist, among other things. What, me worry about 'extinction' of the human race, when the end of my life is 'just around the corner' - relatively speaking!
For a pragmatist, you're not being very pragmatic at all. You can do nothing to prevent your inevitable death, and worrying about the fact that you will one day expire is not very practical. But you can do a lot to help humanity (including yourself) prepare for the very probable near-extinction in the near future. So to be pragmatic, as in, do what is practical and effective, you need data that tells you what the current reality is, and where it is heading. Without this data and the understanding it leads to, your actions are of very little practical usefulness to anyone. The data says that most of the human race will not survive the next 5 to 10 years. What does a pragmatist do? Deny the data in favor of wishful thinking that God won't allow this to happen? Which religion would you be reading for this idea? For example, you'd be hard pressed to find a more violent, bloodthirsty, and compulsively cataclysmic "god" than the Biblical one.
GodSend said:
What about worrying about the end of our earthly life, for starters? Maybe even worry about getting drafted and dying in Iraq or Iran - or in the next tsunami, earthquake or 9-11 attack?
Or worrying that you'll be run over by a car tomorrow as you attempt to cross the street? You can worry about everything, or nothing at all. But of course, it is of little consequence whether you worry or not - what you do is what matters. Some things are inevitable - like your eventual death. Others are not and therefore can be avoided if you know how. Worrying about something does not help in this regard. What do you usually do to avoid getting hit by a car? Look both ways before crossing. This does not guarantee anything, but definitely increases your chances of survival. What do you do to avoid being drafted and dying in Iraq? Or avoid a tsunami, earthquake, or 911? All of these have different probabilities of occurance and different reasons, some being related. There are practical things you can do, and there are useless things. This forum deals with practical actions, by seeking to understand the true nature of our current predicament, which allows us to understand which actions are most likely to be useful and effective, and which are not - this is true for everything. And our actions are all geared around increasing our knowledge and helping others do the same.
Besides your list above, there is a virtually unlimited number of things that can happen in the near and long-term future. But we have a limited amount of energy, resources, and time. This forces us to choose, based on all available data, what is the most practical and efficient use of our energy, resources, and time. The more we know, the more likely that our choices will have a higher chance of success in their intentions. And again, our intentions are to increase our knowledge and help others do the same. And knowledge protects.
GodSend said:
Did God create humanity just to then wipe us out like a bunch of dinosaurs?
You could ask the same thing about the dinosaurs or millions of other races that are already extinct, and go extinct every day. Apparently God created all those races just to wipe them all out again. So God has no problem creating something and then wiping it out completely. Now the question is, what makes you think that humans are an exception? You think maybe if we go extinct that God won't be able to create new "intelligent" species? Do you think humanity is going to be around forever and ever?
GodSend said:
I betcha He has a much better plan for humanity :) His plan is available for those interested ;)
Yes, it is available, as the Bible says - through My works shall you know me. In other words, pay attention to the signs of the times, to all the data - understand the universe by using the brain we were given and our ability to study ourselves and things around us - all being God's works. And my review of his plan leads me to the conclusion, based on all the available data, that Earth is in for a shake-up and that most of us will die very soon. Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant, and whether you think it won't happen is irrelevant - all that matters is the data, because this is the only thing we have that allows us to make intelligent and effective choices. Those who make their choices based on wishful thinking and assumptions are inevitably forced to go back to the drawing board. Again, it is through God's works that you Know him, not your own idea of what his works should be and will be. The sooner you learn this, the better off you'll be.
GodSend said:
That expectation is not built on sand - it is based on the rock-solid 'logic' and evidence of grace?
What logic and evidence would that be? Is it the same rock-solid logic that made you call yourself a pragmatist despite the proof in your above statements that you are anything but? Many people believed that God wouldn't allow a world war either, but they had to go back to the drawing board a couple of times...
