unless we are clear on origins

English translation: unless we are sure of our beliefs regarding origins

14:41 Mar 3, 2009

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Religion / Genesis & sexuality

English term or phrase: unless we are clear on origins

Over the past decade there has been a vast erosion of accepted scriptural values in our society in Great Britain, notably in the established church. In recent years there have been religious leaders openly condoning homosexuality. What is the answer to this? Do we simply wring our hands and lamely say that it is ‘not good’, ‘not acceptable’, ‘unpleasant’? Many will say ‘Of course not!’ They will say this because Scripture condemns it in the Old Testament (Genesis 18:20; 19:5, Leviticus 18:22) and in the New Testament (Romans 1:27). In Matthew 19:5, [AV] Christ speaks of ‘… a man leaving his father and mother and cleaving [being joined—not just physically but emotionally] to his wife.’ However, ***unless we are clear on origins***, those who accept evolution and yet argue from the Bible are in trouble, for the Lord gives reasons (Matthew 19:4), ‘Have you not read, that he who made them at the beginning, made them male and female’.

Does it mean "unless we have a clear idea on origins", or "unless we speak clearly on origins"?

Ana Juliá KudoZ activity Questions: 3922 (none open) (22 closed without grading) Answers: 1027 Spain
Local time: 19:14

Selected answer:unless we are sure of our beliefs regarding origins

Explanation:
I believe the author intends your first meaning. I don't think there is any reference here specifically to the proclamation of the beliefs, though that may well be a seed thought behind the authors argument. But on the surface his appears to be talking about fundamental belief.

Selected response from:

William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 19:14

Grading comment

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4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +3

unless we are sure of our beliefs regarding origins

William [Bill] Gray

5 +1

unless we are clear about where we came from

Alexandra Taggart

Answers

28 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

unless we are sure of our beliefs regarding origins

William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 19:14
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

Grading comment

Thanks

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

unless we are clear about where we came from

Explanation:
I see it as: "uless we are clear about homo sapiens origin" Where the human origin begins? Were we created in the likeness of our Creator - for the purpouse of being creative creatures? Are we a product of Evolution? Or, should we look for our origins in other Galaxies? It is extremely characteristic of the pseudo-culture of the modern cultural philistine that he should even appropriate the major concepts of Christian belief, putting Matthew as an example.The author puts his critics against him saying that people do not have a sturdy point of view on this subject, they are unable to agree or disagree because their own philosophy, their inner nature is a kind of a hybrid between a believer and a scientist, the basic material of their thoughts is a hodge podge and it would be, unless this question would be answered.

Alexandra Taggart
Russian Federation
Local time: 20:14
Native speaker of:

English,

Russian

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