To the editor:
I write this letter in response to Galen Rose’s letter of Aug. 18 (“The intelligently designed mosquito?”) which he wrote in response to my letter of Aug. 11 (“Intelligent design”).
In mine, I addressed the science of recent years, which has overwhelmingly supported the case for the intelligent design of the universe. Because Mr. Rose said nothing to contradict the facts I presented regarding the obvious fallacies in the evolutionists’ views, I must conclude that he had none to present, thus verifying, rather than negating, my arguments.
Instead, Mr. Rose chose to write a letter concerning the deadliness of the mosquito and how that eliminates the possibility of a loving Creator. That is a brand new subject. First of all, if one believes that God is not good, then one must believe that God exists. Secondly, if God created the mosquito, then He is the Creator.
So now the question presented is “how can a loving God have created the mosquito?” That is, is this “intelligent” design?
The initial source for our understanding of God is the Bible. We now have scientific evidence that lends inarguable evidence for creation; however, out of context, misunderstandings do arise. The Bible is not a source to be ignored. It is an historic book that has survived the ages, not only because it is God’s Word, but because learned individuals recognize its accuracy and the scope of knowledge it contains, and seek to share this with others.
All that God created was good, including humans. The ultimate issues have arisen because God did not want humans to be His puppets. Puppets cannot love. He loved His humans and He wanted His love to be shared. Therefore, He gave them (us) free will.
God’s humans had one rule to follow, and once that rule was broken (how like our own children!), paradise was lost. They were removed from the perfect Garden and creation was allowed to evolve and mutate over the millennia.
Creationists do not claim that creatures do not evolve in order to adapt to their environments, just as the beak of the birds studied by Darwin evolved to improve their feeding ability in various environments. However, there is no evidence of evolution from one species to another.
Disease was caused over the millennia by mutation, and I suspect also by the bad habits of humans, as we see, for example, in Type 2 diabetes today. Early man lived for many more years than we do today because there was no disease. If there is no disease to be spread, it doesn’t matter who or what a mosquito bites. Thus, the mosquito argument fails to make a statement about God or His creation.
It would be odd to discuss the nature of God with someone who would say that He doesn’t even exist. On the other hand, if you allow God to enter your life and your heart, you will find that He is good, as so many have found to be true. It becomes so obvious that scientific proof is not required. However, it is hard to doubt Him when you enjoy the beauty of a sunset; or the leaves, as they begin to die in the fall, growing into red, orange, and golden beauty; or the miraculous birth of a child; or the creative loveliness and diversity of flowers (which logically did not happen for the purposes of survival); or the miraculous transformation of an ugly brown caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.
So if God is good, the next question may be: “why is there such evil and suffering in the world?” Man has created the evil and with it, much of the suffering. What you learn of God in trials, is that he will comfort you and bring good from bad.
I am always amazed at the powerful faith of a person who has “hit bottom,” as perhaps an alcoholic or drug-addicted person may do. When they allow God into their lives, they are completely transformed and often become God’s greatest spokesmen and women.
This life is short and eternity is … well … it is forever! Whatever suffering we endure in this life is only temporary, when you put your trust and your life in the hands of God. God showed His love for us when he brought His perfect Son into the world, a Man who never did anything wrong … He never cheated, or lied, or set Himself above others. He loved and served and humbly gave His life in the most painful way imaginable. And yet, He lives today! It is from Jesus that we learn about our loving God. Most of us cannot imagine sacrificing our son or daughter for the good of others, but that is just what our loving God did for us.
Frankly, I cannot imagine surviving life’s challenges without God in my life; He provides strength and comfort, as only a loving God can do.
Lynnie Sedgwick
Jefferson
