Can a person not be a theist and believe in intelligent design?

Question

While not anthropomorphizing an inscrutable "God" and accepting that modern science has correctly estimated the age of our galaxy, and the universe, (mostly through the Doppler effect) can an intelligent person reject abiogenesis and believe in a Creator without being subjected to the contempt and scorn of atheists, who are obviously much smarter than Believers? (Just ask them. They'll tell you...)

Answer 1

Whoo! can of worms time. Okay, the problem is that most people who claim their belief lies in "Intelligent Design" rule out effect that are already widely accepted in science in favor of "theories" that are easily disproved.

For example, one only needs to take a look at the hydrostatic bonds of water or the laws of gravitational attraction to say "Wow...so things are not so random after all. Maybe there is something more to all of this, and we are just incapable of perceiving it."

But on the other hand, all it takes is a simple DNA test to show our genetic heritage with other animals. So why would someone deliberately claim evolution doesn't exist?

The trouble, as far as I see it, is not in the fact that some people are smarter or that there is a conflict of belief system, but that people form their own prejudices in lack of evidence. Then in spite of the existence of evidence they opt to ignore what is a widely held belief...even though they can't agree among themselves what specifically should "replace" that belief (after all, there are huge variations in the different types of intelligent design theory.)

So the short version? If you see your son with chocolate smeared all over his face, you don't call 911 and alert the police that thieves broke into your house to steal a chocolate cake. Observe the world around you, and if you don't have enough evidence to complete the picture, then look for more evidence...not for more mythology.

Answer 2

Of course... but it must not require God... Do you really care about this stuff?

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http://ageofserpents.blogspot.com

Answer 3

Yes, you can be a deist and believe God created the universe, but hasn't payed attention to it or messed with it since.

Answer 4

Only the Jesus is worthy of belief and worship everthin else'a is just of this world and such and the like

Answer 5

That's true.  Means you'll be decived by those demons dressed as aliens that come and say THEY ARE our creators... but then at least you're accepting part of the truth, even if it isn't the whole thing.

Answer 6

Can you be a vegetarian and eat meat? NO.

Answer 7

Yes:  you can believe that the "intelligent designers" were an alien race.

However, you still have avoided the awkward question of where the intelligent alien race of designers came from.  If they could have originated by abiogenesis and evolution, then why couldn't we?

Answer 8

Strictly speaking and by definition: No.

But here's a good working definition of GOD as "The Creator and Designer" ... "GOD is The Moral Center of the Universe."

Answer 9

you can believe in what ever you want

Answer 10

Taoists maybe?  I don't know.

Answer 11

yes u can thats what most ppl do nowadays

Answer 12

i suppose it comes down to a definition of a theist, but intelligent design isn't the rejection of abiogenesis, it's the rejection of the theory of evolution. evolution has a lot of scientific support, rejecting it is really not intelligent! (but doesn't mean you can't).

intelligent design is basically saying that a higher power (aka god), is directing the change of organisms over time (what we call evolution). it's not science, it's religion, but i doesn't actually say anything about creation.

abiogenesis is a good theory, it's very hard to test, and people can't say anything with confidence about the finer details of the theory, if you chose to think a creator started of life, that's up to you. personally i don't think we have the answer, but i'm okay with that.

Answer 13

in short....NO!!!

Answer 14

There is a thin line, with the definition of gods..  The creator could be considered a race of beings from another dimension, in that case the person could be an atheist still, but that would not make him any less delusional for actually believing he has the right answer..  I've seen a few nutcases who lack belief in gods, yet believe in reptilian aliens, and all sort of other crazy far fetched ideas..  So, yeah it is possible.