He said, "Well, I dunno how there is suppose to be 10 dimensions but ok.." So I try to explain it to him and how it has implications on challenging the universe laid out for God after which point he says, "I like the way they call it just a theory. Science has a lot of theories. I have a theory of my own and its called fate. Now, you said it yourself that people's biases affect what they see. Now let me ask you something; 'What is the religious perspective of these scientists?'" In a trailing voice I say, "80-90% is what I thought I saw before" He is like "Ok then, what about those 10-20%? What do you think of them and what happens to them when they find something that backs up their belief?" I retort, "Well, I would suppose that those minority would get drowned out. But I also believe they are suffering from cognitive dissonance because what science says about life contradicts what they believe. More importantly, when science says something is a theory, it doesn't mean that it is just some guess or philosophy. These things have to be backed up over and over again. So when they say they have a theory of relativity. It's not just that they say this and we take it on fate (which he implied science as a sort of faith) these things have to be proven. You see it in action like how we bombed Hiroshima using this theory (E=mc2). There is a theory of gravity, which few would say is a lie, just because we say there is a chance we have some errancy in our model, doesn't mean it doesn't have some real-life applicability." After a brief pause, I add more.

I say, "essentially you are saying that all of science is one big lie! Everything from geology (age of the earth) to astronomy (universe being billions of light years long, not 6000) to evolution (anthropology) to biology (useless animal dna in our dna and organs). I finish with "Even history has shown that you can't have faith in people. They say this king is decended from God, no. They say, you can only talk to God through a pastor, no. The Earth is flat, no. Everything shows that you should be skeptical and not operate on faith because people both accidentally and purposely mislead others. I mean, you have experienced all these things to be true, so how can you operate on faith?" After what must've seemed like quite a bit for him, he says basically what he has been saying different ways when we come down this path, he says "Tino, the choice comes down to that of reason or that of faith and love. Now, when its all over, I'd like to think that I lived my life following these principles as opposed to being able to say, 'Ha, I'm right'. I think faith opens up a more fulfilling life and being that you can't definitively prove anything as you have said so yourself, then why not choose faith and love?"

I sit on the phone and I really don't have a comeback for that at that moment. (though my ultimate goal isn't to say ha I'm right but to find out what's real) I admit to him that he has me thinking. He then talks about pastor Miller coming to town on the 20th. I immediately say that I want to go that day.

Pastor Miller is the former (now retired) pastor at the West Sacramento SDA church. It was him who would study with me for hours as a teen as I prepared to be baptized. He'd pick me up and we'd study in his car, at the church and sometimes in nature (even did some door-to-door with him). He was the one that took me to Pacific Union College (an Adventist college) twice; which is an 80 mile drive from here. (He introduced me to the dean as well as the manager at the local store, where I would've got hired) He has an extremely friendly disposition and I have the upmost respect for his opinion. I am looking forward to having quite the conversation with him. (he is doing a 1 time visit from Oregon) I know him to be quite the bible scholar as well and I'd really like to hear some rebuttals as well as catch up. I have burning questions about Isiah 40:22, the firmament, spirit possession, some mathematical errors in the bible as well his perspective on John 14:6. Especially 14:6 because of how it excludes those who don't believe in Jesus access to the father and ultimately heaven. Its gonna be a fun week or so.

Michelle's family is flying in soon. Gonna watch a few videos with Ray and then see Miller; followed by my vacation. Soon, Ray may take to the pulpit again with another sermon as he has resumed being an elder in training. (the new pastor essentially called him out, something Ray says he thoroughly liked) Ray had previously stopped his training and went to a different church but when he returned to the West Sac one, he was asked to lead prayer and asked in front of the church if he was gonna resume his training. (I'm not sure I everyone would've appreciated such a thing but Ray likes those sorts of things) Anyways, take care invisible people

Oh, P.S., Ray would probably kill me for doing this but I'mma link to his myspace page. Click to see an old pick of him