ex-l wrote:You see, my point would be, if the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University wish to become fully ethical, it would have to include some scientific teaching about Darwin, evolution and scientific methodology and present its own teachings purely as unproven 'opinions'.
But the whole basis of RajYoga, is that we are having a relationship with God, who we believe is truth. The fact that the BK leadership have totally sullied this relationship with their activities and attitudes over the years, has made this claim much more difficult to justify. But when one reads about the evidence that is being examined by science and the conclusions that they come to, that can be challenged very eloquently by other scientists who perhaps have different agendas, then who do you believe... nothing to my mind has been proven thus far, by either side beyond doubt. Then there is the application of my own logic on these things, as i've put forward in this thread, such as what i consider the absurdity of the theory of the origins of life, and the very shaky Big Bang theory. The idea of an eternally spinning drama cycle fits in my intellect, much more readily than all this scientific speculation. Therefore, i feel most comfortable in studying the Murlis, Avyakt Vanis, and clarification Murlis; which i get much more out of than studying scientific data, which leaves me a bit cold to be honest. So being someone who has looked at these things in the past, albeit in quite a superficial way; i have come to the conclusion that the souls who don't get involved in all of this and concentrate on their spiritual studies, are not missing out on much, and it is up to the individual to seek out this information, if they wish to... I don't think the BKs or PBKs are obliged to do teach about things they believe are false; this is a condition you wish to impose as an outsider, who has contrary beliefs to those of the BKIVV and AIVV. You would think it absurd if i said that as well as evolution, the study of RajYoga meditation and knowledge should be studied in schools as well, because we Brahmakumaris believe it is the truth. It is just that you have a lot of faith in science, and wish to (in a caring, but perhaps arrogant stance of i am right) impose that on others because you and many others believe it is truth... But others rightly or wrongly don't have the same view... Do we have the right to impose our biases on others, just because we think they are right. The stuff you believe in is taught in Western schools, but why should the Asian schools and others teach these things... why should the BKs and PBKs teach such things, just because others think they are true... They haven't been proven, but there appears to be this arrogance of science, that more or less claims it has all been proven... I think the stance of we'll have to agree to disagree is much more healthy, but the world is not like that; and whether it be spiritual or scientific doctrine; those with the greater power, and arrogance of faith; have sought to impose their supposedly superior knowledge on others by force.
ex-l wrote:The oldest living tree is thought to be over 5,000 years and is in the USA/Sweden ... part of continents which, according to the BKs, did not exist in the Golden and Silver Age. Does that not add a further problem? Or are the BKs just going to reply, "It must have been growing on an island in Sat Yuga."
Well that may be true; i don't know for sure!
There are suggestions being made in the field of genetics in evolutionary theory; that appear to be even more tentative than this. It always seems to come down to faith in the end, which ever side of the debate you are on.
ex-l wrote:BTW, by what process, how quickly and when was coal or petrified wood made?
Did you not watch the video Button Slammer posted on this subject at the start of this debate. If i remember correctly, it involved high temperatures, in moist, but low oxygen conditions, such as may occur in a cataclysm. According to RajYoga there were two... One between the Iron and Golden Ages... and a lesser one, between the Silver and Copper Ages. I have no idea how long this process would actually take; but it appears from limited laboratory experiments; that it wouldn't necessarily be thousands of years. Take a look, and see what you think.