Friday, February 3, 2012
hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!??!
How can anyone not believe in biological evolution? It's like not believing the Earth orbits the Sun. It's like denying Antarctica exists because you've never seen it in person. Evolution has NOTHING to do with God or whatever else your beliefs are. Notice I said beliefs? That's because evolution is not a belief; evolution is a scientific fact, much like how the planets orbit the sun or the existence of Antarctica are facts. Let me repeat that: evolution has NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with religion. Evolution doesn't explain how or why life started; it doesn't make claims about the origin of the universe. Evolution answers questions like, "Hey, I wonder why there are so many different kinds of plant and animal species on Earth?". Evolution offers insight into why humans walk upright or carry children for nine months or why we have two ears and two eyes, and so many other facets of life. There is so much overwhelming evidence for evolution that I can't believe people are unwilling to listen and learn about this wonderful phenomenon. There should be no more controversy surrounding the fact of evolution than the historical existence of the Roman empire. Look at the evidence. Look at micro and macro evolution. "Well, show me a transitional instance of macro evolution where one species is turning into another." In other words, show me a duck-dog-platypus-whatever. How else can big changes happen without innumerable small changes? It's like me pointing to a mountain and then holding up a single pebble and saying, "That mountain is made-up of thousands of these little guys." And the other person goes, "What? But that mountain is so big and that thing is so small! There's no possible way those things can create something so different in form and structure and shape and design." Why do we need to vaccinate against the flu every year? Because it changes into different strands. Why do antibiotics become less effective against bacteria? Because the bacteria becomes resistant to the drugs. Why do humans share 97% (or so) of DNA with chimpanzees? Because we evolved from a common ancestor. Let me repeat again: evolution DOES NOT disprove the existence of God, much like how the orbital habits of the Earth do not disprove the existence of God. If anything, it beautifully illustrates the complex and evanescent nature of life.
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I guess the thing is, (most) Christians believe God created animals and then God created man, separate from the animals, as is told in Genesis. So how then could we have evolved from another species? That being said, I don't doubt that we've changed over time...Just not from one species to another. And I'm not trying to argue with you or answer your questions. I'm just telling you how I see it from my point of view.
ReplyDeleteAlso I wouldn't say "evolution has nothing to do with God." You can't just separate God from other things in life. Oh, that reminds me! I just read this today: "And he (God) is before all things and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). Ok, well it seemed more relevant in my head than it does writing it down. Oh well.
Yeah, I know you're not trying to argue. But I don't think most Christians believe in the Bible literally like Creationist Christians do (I believe you are one, right?). Maybe it's because you live in Indiana--a heavily Christian state--that you see many fundamentalists and thinks that's the normal attitude, or maybe I'm just crazy and don't know what I'm talking about, but it seems to me that the majority of Christians are moderates and read the old stories (Noah's Ark, Garden of Eden) as metaphorical rather than actually have happened.
DeleteI have a question for you since I'm so curious. If I may ask, why do you not believe we evolved from a common ancestor--or, as believe you are saying, "one species to another"? Is it purely biblical, i.e., God created the world as is; is it what you grew up with, e.g., preachers and ministers telling you evolution was false as a child? Is it that you've seen some of the evidence in a museum or maybe on a National Geographic program and said, well, that's not very convincing? Were you presented evidence in high school biology or college and said, well, how the heck does that make any sense? I really want to understand your point of view and your reasons.
Also, that Bible verse was beautiful, and beauty is always relevant. (What the hell does that even mean?)
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ReplyDeleteWell I don't think I'm fundamentalist. I guess I'm conservative or whatever, but definitely not as conservative as some. As I grow up I'm getting more liberal, I think. I know Christians who take the creation story literally and Christians who don't. But I guess, how would you interpret it metaphorically? Like, what would the interpretation even be? How can you take "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" any other way?
ReplyDeleteAs for why I believe we didn't evolve from another species, I guess it's because the Bible says so, and I believe the Bible is true. It talks specifically about man being created in God's image, separate from the animals. Check out Genesis 1:26. It talks about how God gave man dominion over all other creatures.
Plus whenever people talk about evolution, it just seems like they don't even really understand what they're talking about. Or they make claims with no basis. Or if they do have a basis, it's unverified and controversial. I guess I have never been presented with convincing evidence that we evolved from another species.
There's this book called I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist. You should read it. It's really interesting and part of it talks about evolution.
Okay, I'll try to find and read it.
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