Why can't Christians read?

Question

I'm half-serious. I read these questions and answers and I am amazed by the ignorance. Not just an ignorance of history, acheology and science, but even an ignorance of the Bible itself. Most have apparently never read the Bible closely and critcally.

The evolution situation is the most egregious. Listening to Christians argue agains evoution is like listening to the Christians argue to Galileo that Sun must go around the earth because the Bible says so. I mean, my girlfriend grew up in a 3rd world country, taught by nuns, and even they were taught that evolution is undeniable. Do creationists realize that they are the laughing stock of the world?

Honestly, is there an anti-intellectual strain in American christianity? Most that I've met know very little about history and science (even outside of evolution.)

Why can't they read? I've read the bible and many pro-creationist books (They are a great laugh!) Why can't they return the favor?

someone wrote:
"i know people who feel the same way about evolutionists"

But I'm not talking about feeling, I'm talking about reality. It may be annecdotal, but most christians are not well read. Most of my christian friends think "Anna Karenina" is an ice cream flavor. Most of my athiest friends can quote Sartre. There is a striking difference.

My question is, honestly, do christians think that the more you know, the less valid your opinion is?

someone wrote:

"The majority rules. If enough people say it, it must be true. This is bordering on ridiculous and to pretend that Christians inherently are stupid or to pretend that the Bible teaches the Sun revolves around the Earth are poor reasoning at best,"

I am not saying that evolution is true because the majority of the world believes it. What I didn't point out originally is that most christians don't realize that they are in a vast minority and yet they seem to think that there is widespread doubt about evolution and that ID is just around the corner from being taught as fact.

And the geocentric view of the bible is strongly implied several palces in the OT (or didn't you knwo that) and was the prevailing religious teaching for over 1000 years. Suggesting otherwise would be bad for your health. Now the geocentrism is viewed as figurative. (I guess god lets his Word be deceptive.) Hmmm. Could anything else be figurative? Naaa!

And sorry if my "four syllable words" threw you. I reread my post and can't find anything to bizare. I usually try to keep my writing below a high school level in these forums. I'll have to redouble my efforts.

someone wrote:
"Alright, smartypants. Prove evolution is correct: produce the "missing link." Without that proof, your arguments in favor of evolution will always remain an unproven THEORY."

Gravity is a theory, I don't see you flying. This show a complete misunderstanding of how scientist use the words "proof" and "theory". Pick up a book on epistomolgy, read some of ksjazzguitar's links and get back to me. I don't like getting into a verbal fistfight with someone who can't even lift the gloves. This is EXACTLY the kind of ignorance I was talking about. Sheesh. Will it never end? Unfortunately, probably not.

someone wrote:
"Can you at least act in an ethical way and not insult people for their religious beliefs?"

I am not offeneded by religion or even faith. I am offended by ignorance. Many of my friends are christians and even they agree with me; there is a mile wide streak of self-enforced ignorance in American christianity. I was just wondering if this was a consious thing. I guess not.

Answer 1

That's the beauty of Blind Faith, they can't see the words on the page, so they just believe what they hear.

Answer 2

Well, I do agree that many Christians (at least in public forums) are more interested in justifying preconceptions and seem afraid to listen to people with other viewpoints. Possibly, they're also considering their comments to be "witnessing" (a good thing, to them) -- which unfortunately is outward-directed, not inward-directed.

Just curious (and I'm not being snotty, I'm really just asking you):

If you had to defend evolution right this moment, without research, in as much detail as you could, how would you do?

Could you honestly be able to lay out the details of that belief system, explain away the important problem areas (with specific facts, not just the general ideas such as you used in your question), explain why belief in creationism [not sure which version you mean, I will assume the most fundamentalist version] makes people "laughingstocks," and explain why the authorities you trusted were truly authoritative?

Maybe you can. Maybe not.

[Note: If you can, I truly am impressed and wouldn't mind asking you some questions from time to time.]

Still, even if you can, many cannot. It's not just the Christians who have the problem you describe, a lot of the self-proclaimed evolutionists posting in this forum have the same problem.

There are very few people with the time, motivation, and discipline (especially in a specialized society, where people are rewarded for knowing just ONE thing well) to learn the details of one particular field such as evolution or creationism. Heck, I have an interest in and aptitude for it... and I don't have time for more than general review and trying to reconcile concepts.

A lot of the posters here are also kids and young adults. Some of them do need to branch out and be more open-minded, actually listen to people of other viewpoints and try to understand them. I really do agree with you.

But they're still kids. Many have not yet had to grapple with their professed beliefs. They haven't been run over by the problems that independent adults have had to face, just to survive. (The harsh realities of life ALWAYS impact a person’s beliefs… either that, or they really are being foolish.) Life is a process, and as they go through it, we'll see who really understood what they believed and who on the other hand really had no clue. Experience makes a large difference.

Meanwhile, I would just cut everyone some slack. There's no room for derision from either side here. (Not picking on you, I'm just saying it as a general statement)

It's pretty amazing what we can all learn from each other if we actually decide to listen first, THEN speak -- with the desire to connect and learn rather than beat down. (Besides, if one’s beliefs are secure, there’s no need for aggression.)

Answer 3

They just need to get off their high horse and read more. But they would rather brag about their ignorance and believe what their pastor tells them.

And the intellectualism is self limiting. The more a superstitious person reads, the more they have to make a choice: Do I keep reading and give up my superstitions? Do I Do I keep reading, keep my superstitions but develop and twisted set of logic to allow both to exist side by side? Do I stop reading and live in blissful ignorance. Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between intelligence and belief in creationism. The opposite has been shown for atheism. But would you care, if you lived in a blissful world of ignorance where you thought that you would get an infinite reward after leaving this veil of tears?


I once had to make that choice and chose the first one. Others make other choices. I too have read the bible many times even more than most the christians I know. But if some christians want to do a little reading about what the other side thinks, here you are. (Careful, you may learn something.)

Answer 4

see, now u got me pissed off about religion, and thats never good. first off, ur un-educated, and truly biased opinion shows just how un-educated that you are. whats better yet is now you're trying to call me stupid. ever notice that better results come from catholic schools than there are from public schools? and how are you going to explain that. o, ha ha, u can't. whether you think evoluton happened or not is your problem. congratulations, you think we're wrong. actually, i feel that evolution did take place. although i dont beleive that we came out of a pond, and grew from there, i beleive that God created us as the simpler form of man. from there, we evolved into what we are now. once again, this is strictly opinion, so you can't even tell me im wrong, and your right. if i could tell you that i was right, aqnd proove it, it wouldnt be opinion, it would be factual, and then there would be no denying the fact that there was evolution to the extent that people beleive. i put emphasis on the word beleive. beleive meaning that they are not entirely sure, but they feel that they are correct because they have some reason to think that this is what is corect. so they havent actually prooved that they are correct, they just, literally, have reason to beleive. just like i have reason to beleive that God created Adam, and God created Eve. You want history or science? straight A's all the way through school. biased, un-educated opinion. You say that you are amazed at the ignorance of others questions and answers, where here, im amazed at you ignorance in your opinions, and in you question. as a matter of fact, it is pure ignorance, and has no factual proof to ack up your rediculous claim that all christians are stupid. a very large majority of the world are catholic. see? math. this was prooved. something you seem to be incapapable of doing. but since i dont really feel like making you look like a complete and total idiot in front of all these other people, feel free 2 send me an e-mail at [e-mail] ill continue this else where

Answer 5

You are stereotyping like nobody's business. And then you pretend to be of superior intelligence by using a four-syllable word and then a faulty argument: The majority rules. If enough people say it, it must be true. This is bordering on ridiculous and to pretend that Christians inherently are stupid or to pretend that the Bible teaches the Sun revolves around the Earth are poor reasoning at best, and lying at worst.

Answer 6

It never ceases to amaze me that Christians are always the ones accused of being hostile or incharitable, and then I read a post like this which says, "Honestly, is there an anti-intellectual strain in American christianity? [...] Why can't they read?" I don't care if you believe in God or not. Can you at least act in an ethical way and not insult people for their religious beliefs? If you have an argument, then fine: let's discuss it. If not, then why post this offensive "question," specifically aimed at bashing Christians?

Answer 7

oh my gosh....im cured....i just actually was able to ready every word you wrote!!!! what a miracle.



I think your thinking a little one sided. There are some very very ingnorant people out there, yet they're are some very very intelligent people in this world...who happen to me christian. Are they stupid also? There is absolutely no reason to call someone stupid or whatever else for any reason...especially because you dont see things they're way. And yeah...im a believer of Jesus Christ...but I also think that there are somethings that cant be explained because of science. They remain a mystery...and I choose to believe both. Who is to say I cant? NO ONE! And who would want to be taught by a nun...and what makes them smarter. Because they were taught by someone who is told to tell them someone....make them believe. Believing is a choice on your own...not becuase your forced to! And yes...that is what the church does to you when they have a grasp on you. That is why i believe in jesus christ...but refuse to go to church where people will tell me this and that and blah blah blah. Ignorance....is also those who think only what they want to think...nothing else. Making comments about only a few people...and saying its everyone....when its not!!!

Answer 8

Alright, smartypants. Prove evolution is correct: produce the "missing link."

Without that proof, your arguments in favor of evolution will always remain an unproven THEORY. And you will look just as foolish to us as we do to you.

Do you not see the irony here? You mock us for believing the Bible, yet you believe an unproven theory and foist it up as if it were a fact!

Answer 9

Those of the world(non-Christians) study and follow all the worldly teachings, songs and culture.

Christians are to study the Holy Bible and withdraw from the sins of the world. Therefore we appear to be less informed about the worldly things that are all that you see and chase all the time. This does not indicate a diminished mental capacity on our part. Just the opposite. We concentrate on those things which are Holy and Eternal.

Answer 10

you seem like a smart individual with a good point.....my only wonder is why are you insulting people who can't read when YOU CANT SPELL THE RIGHT WORDS YOUR OWN SELF? Dont throw stones when you live in a glass house moron. DO A SPELL CHECK NEXT TIME...I found five mistakes....lets see if you can be smart enough to proofread this time and fix your questions so that us "illiterate" Christians can read it properly.

READ YOUR FIRST, SECOND, AND ELEVENTH PARAGRAPHS. Didn't you learn the proper way to use to, too, and two??? Spell check sweetie...its a most useful tool.Even my ten year old knows which variation of (to) to use.

RIGHT ON GRANDMA SUSIE!!!!LOL

Answer 11

I have a problem with people who lump everyone together, like that "all" christians don't believe in evolution. You say we can't read, yet you obviously missed all the answers from christians who do believe in evolution, like myself, so just who is it who can't read? Or maybe its a comprehension problem? Then again, maybe you just enjoy putting christians down, gives you a big ego boost, which makes it easier to ignore half of the answers and pretend that we all have one mind-set? Talk about ignorance, take a look in the mirror!