Kosher Dinosaursby Ross Mullin
Some Israeli Jewish "fundis" (orthodox and ultra-orthodox) have been attacking a kosher dairy for depicting dinosaurs on its milk cartons. Fanatics say dinosaurs never existed, and hence are anti- Biblical. Dr. Gerald Schroeder, author of Genesis and the Big Bang says dinosaurs aren't ruled out by the Tora. Genesis 1:21 says "And God created the large taninim...." This plural noun has been variously translated as crocodiles, whales, or sea-monsters; but could easily mean "reptiles." Surely dinos belong in the class of "large reptiles." As for the age of this world Schroeder says, "The Jewish calendar measures time from the creation of Adam; the six days of Genesis have never been included in calculations of the world's age." And those six pre-Adamic "days" needn't be the standard 24-hour days experienced by us mortals after Adam's creation; but could be longer eras, experienced quite differently by Yahweh. Schroeder explains relative time this way: "When talking of time, perspective is crucial, as Einstein discovered. Events can be correctly measured as lasting 24 hours here on Earth; yet when observed from another spot may be seen as lasting anywhere from seconds to billions of years, depending on differences in gravity and velocity between the two locations. Such is the nature of time. Scientists measure the billions of years of the planet's existence from our perspective here on Earth. The amazing reality is that by considering the universe to be a single vast object, and by calculating time as it would pass for a being outside that object, those eons lasted exactly six days! So there were only six days before Adam, but these were six Days, as viewed from a divine perspective." Scientific knowledge, he concludes, doesn't threaten Jewish religion. "The real threat is ignorance-secular ignorance of the Tora's true depth, and the believers' ignorance of the natural laws by which our universe functions." (- Jerusalem Post, international edition, week ending 4 Sept. 93). Religions often get publicity from the rantings of their least competent spokes-fools. Freethinkers may enjoy laughing at such spectacles, which tend to drive intelligent folk away from organized religions. Yet perhaps we should encourage rational intellectuals who also believe. As human institutions, religions do keep on changing, however slowly, until they die. Creed-cursed humanity (crucified upon a cross of parchment, to paraphrase William Jennings Bryan), might benefit if religions could evolve toward reason and tolerance, instead of devolving toward dogmatism and genocide.
Table of Contents | 1993 Issues | Subscribe Credit card Orders call: 800-321-9054 or fax: (619)676-0433 Truth Seeker is published by Truth Seeker Co., Inc. (ISSN 0041-3712) © 1996 |