by jalex137 on September 20th, 2005
It is a common mis-apprehension or even mis-representation of the Biblical creationist position that we reject science. What we reject is non-empirical speculation masquerading as science. The Biblical account has no problem with the existence of dinosaurs. We do not discount the fossils. We do question the time scale and scenario proposed for them. The fossils exist in the present, are dug up in the present, and are studied in the present. What one believes about how they got there and when will be drawn according to his/her assumptions about what has gone on in the unobservable, unrepeatable (that is, non-empirical) past. In fact, the recent discovery of soft tissue in a fossilized bone is more consistent with an age of a few thousand years, than with tens or hundreds of millions of years. The explanation that "apparently soft tissue can survive much longer than we ever imagined" is inconsistent with the scientific evidence regarding its durability. The natural or plain understanding of the Biblical account of creation would have dinosaurs created with the other land and sea animals. They then would have co-existed with humans, and would have been preserved on the ark by Noah--no need to take full grown adults, juveniles would suffice. The climatic and environmental changes following the flood would have made survival difficult for them and some other animals, so that they became increasingly rare, finally extinct. I think we can look to the descriptions of dragons in ancient legends for evidence that men encountered dinosaurs in the flesh before they encountered them as fossils. That the Bible doesn't mention them specifically simply indicates that they weren't a factor in the lives of the people of that time and place. It doesn't mention kangaroos, either--they weren't relevant. It is possible the Behemoth and Leviathan mentioned in the book of Job--which seems to be from a time a few hundred years following the flood--are describing a land and a sea creature we would think of as dinosaurs. The descriptions do not match well with any living creatures of our day.
For lots more on this subject, see the FAQ page on dinosaurs at Answers in Genesis: http://answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dinosaurs.asp
BaaBaaBlackSheep (without implying that he means to be agreeing with or supporting me) makes an interesting and useful point. Facts, and to an only slightly lesser extent experimental or empirical scientific theories, do not "speak for themselves". They must be interpreted in some larger framework. Although a bit outside the scope of this question, that's where the evolution-creation debate sticks. Naturalistic evolution, Biblical young-earth creationism, and everything in between, are, in my mind, more properly paradigms than theories. That is, they supply a framework of philosophy and untestable assumptions which are taken on faith, by which the empirical science can be interpreted and organized.
by Thom64 on September 20th, 2005
I have heard of people who do not believe in dinosaurs, but in all my interactions with church people of different denominations I do not know that I have ever met one.
The vast majority of Christians, "born again" and otherwise believe that dinosaurs lived and thier fossils are real.
by thatsJustme on March 24th, 2009
yes...God made dinosaurs too.read Job.:)justme
by Franklin on May 8th, 2009
I don't know but I do. I've seen the physical evidence.
by KiwiBruce on March 24th, 2009
The conflict you see is,"do fossil remains conflict with the 7 days of creation concept of Genesis" Yes they do. However God is not a liar.He didn't just make these bones to confuse mankind. So the explanation is outside most Christian teaching. Here is my take:- Genesis starts "In A beginning" NOT "In THE beginning" there was something before this age. But what? The Bible doesn't say! So it is not important to our salvation. Interesting none the less!
by katrinabena on March 24th, 2009
Yes of course. Time is different in God's eyes.
by god my ass on March 24th, 2009
Unless religion is exposed for what it is, we are all doomed. Just because something feels good doesn't make it true or even good for you. Take thumb sucking for example, which is really all that religion is-people coming together to reinforce the delusion and engage in group thumb sucking. Grow the fuck up already!
by Anonymous on March 13th, 2009
Many deny their existence. Others are trying to squeeze scientific evidence into the Bible and seem to be getting away with it amongst the more gullible members of the population. I believe it is called intelligent design or another version is creationism. If these people put as much effort into improving the world as they do concocting useless ideas, the world would be a much better place to live in, in my opinion.
by Toiletcruncher on March 13th, 2009
No, but they do seem to turn profoundly deaf when a new fossil is unearthed.
by Blessed has a COAT of many colors on March 13th, 2009
I suppose some do, but they probably would whether religious or not. Most that I know don't, and one that I know is a Phd. scientist and professor of Biology.
by Anonymous on June 17th, 2007
How could I disbelieve it when its skeleton is at the museum?
by sean1770 on June 17th, 2007
It has been proven that the "dinosaurs" of the many different time periods existed long before humans walked this earth. And to believe they co-existed is almost on the ridiculous. Science has proven it and the writings of man has nothing to back the facts. Always remember the one who wins always writes the history. I choose facts over mans dated writings
by researcher for God on May 1st, 2007
Yes...
Because of the scientific finds...
by The Galaxy Hitchhiker on March 26th, 2009
Speaking as a Christian, yes I do believe that dinosaurs existed.
by PortlandMom on March 24th, 2009
I do believe dinosaurs existed! There is evidence... and of course what was said in Job could also be true we just have not found the evidence yet. We do not know all there is to know, scientific or religious... but I do believe science should compliment what God did. During creation God only put "days" for us, He is outside of time. So was it really a "day" or just an expression? I don't know, many thousands of decades could have passed from the time God created light. Who knows and the earth was present already, it says it was in without form, but it was there. Some speculate that this is when the dinosaurs lived as a pre-Adamic race, or perhaps they were where demons came from. There are some things God said and those I take at their word, but there are other things we will not know, we could not even comprehend with our tiny minds and I am for one not ready to say that I know for sure whene there is room for specualtion... maybe that is where science is to come in and fill in the gaps... true science that is... some theories are accepted but not proven... such as evolution or the big bang theory. We can only prove without a doubt a little amount, the rest is up to speculation. I mean, who is to say when God created the Heavens He didn't use a big bang? That is my speculation.
by anonymous on March 24th, 2009
yes, it all makes sense see, they were buried in the flood and the remains are only like 4 or 5 thousand years old. It all makes sense because carbon dating is a hoax and the 'evolutionists' just want poor jesus to suffer because they are mean spirited infants who just don't want to submit to the holy word of the only orthodox god ever.
by Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH on March 24th, 2009
Sure, why not? Even a "young earth" Christian (who believes the earth to be not more than 5000 or so years old) will generally believe that dinosaurs existed. Not, of course, in the time frame asserted currently by the current establishment... but carbon dating is pretty iffy at best, and dinosaurs are well outside accurate parameters, particularly given outside influence from, say, a meteor as some theorize killed them off.
by Zorgoth on March 13th, 2009
No, not all of them do. There are some who say they didn't exist, but there are quite a few who say they did exist.
by Adz3r0 on March 13th, 2009
I've heard that some believe that God put the bones there to test their faith. But wouldn't that make God a liar?
by Anonymous on March 24th, 2009
Yes.
Some believed they died out
because they were too big to
fit on Noah's Ark.
by Mephistopheles on March 24th, 2009
I don't know but I hear that they have two belly buttons, is that true?
by Kookie25 on March 24th, 2009
I dont see why I wouldnt.The fossils prove that.
:)
by msummers10 on March 15th, 2007
I don't. It all depends on what you think of when you hear the word "dinosaur". There were things in the Bible that have been called dinosaurs by scholars, but what if it was just another animal like we have today, that became extinct? If alligators became extinct today, would we call them dinosaurs? No. I think that God simply put the fossils where they are now, but for what reason I am unsure. I don't see why God would have had the dinosaurs(the ACTUAL dinosaurs) roam the earth, and die, without interacting greatly with man. It would have been pointless, when he could have just made remnants of them, which is all man would ever see.
by Eamonmc on February 2nd, 2010
I am Roman Catholic myself, and I believe in dinosaurs, if you look atthe big picture, dinosaurs are actually more believeable than God. Look for a moment, we have these fossils all over the place. But we have only ideas about god what people claim, and we need to believe in God even with this lack of physical evidence. Henceforth, dinosaurs are actually more real, we don't need faith to believe in them we just need to go to a museum.
by my2cents on March 24th, 2009
YES. I don't know anyone who denies the existance of dinosaurs.
by Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls on March 24th, 2009
Yes.
If the bible says God made man then who made God? He couldn't have just been there forever.
by The Extortionist on August 13th, 2009
| 5 people like this
Can we know that math is genuine? How do we know for sure if 1miilion times 100 is 100 million? Can we count it up? I think this site is BS but it's got me thinking...
by Anonemouse on November 22nd, 2009
| 5 people like this
How did the writer of Genesis know 3,500 years ago that the earth was once completely covered by water during its development? (before life emerged)
by Franklin on August 23rd, 2009
| 7 people like this
Science (theoretical and applied) has brought humanity undeniable benefits, including the computer's you're using to read this. What comparable, undeniable benefits has Christianity brought?
by 23Skidoo on December 4th, 2009
| 9 people like this
If scientists didn't discover that the universe had a beginning until the 20th century, how did the writer of Genesis know 3,500 years ago?
by Franklin on August 22nd, 2009
| 10 people like this
You're reading Do born again Christians believe that dinosaurs once existed?
- which can also be phrased in the following ways:
Do religious people deny the existence of the dinosaurs?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Even though the content of the answer is really stupid, it definitely answers the question.
by Lucas_ on September 21st, 2005
About your statement that creationists are misrepresented as rejecting science, that's not a misrepresentation, it's true.
by ImNotLikeYou on November 5th, 2005
Empirical science is almost entirely objectional. You can claim almost anything with it and no one could say that it's wrong.
by BaaBaaBlackSheep on December 5th, 2005
this explains your beliefs, so partial credit, but yikes, I wish you knew more about how science works.
by lynnenorth on February 15th, 2006
The 'soft' tissue was fossilized. It is not still 'soft' as you imply.
by science_geek has left the building on March 31st, 2006
When citing scientific observations (such as your "soft tissue"), try to refer to a scientific source and not a religious one. If such a thing does not exist, don't call it science. "Answers in Genesis" is bunk. Try talkorigins.com
by lizvelrene on July 27th, 2006
"I think we can look to the descriptions of dragons in ancient legends for evidence that men encountered dinosaurs in the flesh before they encountered them as fossils"... Are you actually kidding me?
by Blacknail on July 15th, 2009