How many people denouncing evolution actually understand it?

Question

Also, how many people denouncing a religion actually take the time to understand the religion?

Doesn't it annoy anyone else how people go into blind denial of one side or another?

I do not believe in the existance of god, and I fully support evolution. With knowledge of both subjects I feel I am able to argue about them both.

Another note, although I disagree with the people arguing for their religion, I DO NOT disagree with what they are trying to do. I actually am grateful (as others should be) that they would take the time to try to show others what they believe to be the truth. All I ask though is that before arguing about something, you try to understand it first (no matter what the topic or what side you are on)

Any comments?

瞳の住人, how many times do you see somebody fall over and die? I'm sure it has happened a few times, but not enough to destroy the human race. We do have evidence of tails, the tailbone in the human body is thought to be whats left.

Tails probably also had more rists than benefits for humans who walked upright anyway.

risks* (typo in previous comment)

"All the people who denounce evolution understand it."
Hahahahaha, your a funny person. ^_^

"How many people supporting evolution actually understand it?"

That is a good one too, also the same for religion supporters. I wish somebody would do an experiment :-)
(joke)

"\That is why I believe that Christians should be allowed to ask, challenge, debate any questions in science!"

Well of coarse they are allowed too, scientists debate questions in science. I fully encourage religious people to debate with scientists. All I am saying is that they should get at least a small amount of background knowledge first.

(Don't be on the defensive people, I am not asking this to be opposing to religious people, just people who... outta space, reread my question.)

Answer 1

I believe humans were created by God, but I have read quite a bit about the theory of evolution and I'm always surprised when people ask about being the descendants of monkey or apes. The theory doesn't hold that humans are descended from apes, but posits that both come from a common ancestor.

Someone asked why humans don't have tails...they do! In the womb, embryos have a tail that is re-absorbed by the body in the first weeks of gestation. And there's a reason the tailbone is called that.

Again, I don't believe that humans evolved from other species. I believe God created them. But to intelligently discuss it with someone who believes in evolution and wants to debate the topic, you have to know something about evolution...something other than what people who know nothing about evolution have said about it, that is!

Good question!

Answer 2

I had to read three books by Richard Dawkins before I felt I had a good grip on evolution (the third answered my last question, 'how do new species appear'). It's quite easy to bluntly assume it's all about random elements, mutations and 'survival of the fittest'. I realized most people don't really understand evolution fully (well, some people more than others, but even many who 'believe' [for lack of a better word] in it).

Once you see the big picture you actually become quite confident evolution can deal with anything we can find in nature. Like the dancing patterns of bees or the development of the [human] eye, for instance.

Concerning monkeys and tails: Is it necessary for our ancestors to have had tails? Chimpanzees (our closest monkey relatives) don't have tails, neither do gorillas.

Answer 3

Actually David, another related interesting question would be:

How many people supporting evolution actually understand it?

Your point however is well taken. I have a mathematic ans science background and am well versed in evolution - yet I have studied every major religion (and a fair share of the minor ones) and find myself in debate often marvelling at the fact that the person taking up the position for Christianity or Hinduism or... actually knows less about the tenets they are trying to defend then I do. Odd really.

Answer 4

You make a good point. I have read and studied a good bit from the Creationist's perspective and am currently reading and studying the unabridged, unedited version of Darwin's Origin of the Species. My initial comments (at this point still very general) are that both are theories; neither is fully observable, testable and repeatable to be considered scientific facts.

The exception is what some call "micro-evolution", which is evolution and adaptation within "kind," such as changes seen to domesticated animals. Due to short life spans of some creatures, like birds, small variations can be observed over time, and tests can be set up, conducted, and repeated.

The "microbes to man" (macro evolution) scenario appears to have some holes (which Darwin readily admits in his writings).

One thing that I have found interesting, which indicates that people on both sides of the issue seemed to have missed, is that Darwin makes several references in his writings to a Creator (Darwin's words, not mine - and you have to read it in the full context of his writings):

"Authors of the highest eminence seem to be fully satisfied with the view that each species has been independently created. To my mind it accords better with what we know of the laws impressed on matter by the Creator, that the production and extinction of the past and present inhabitants of the world should have been due to secondary causes, like those determining the birth and death of the individual."

"There is a granduer in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one;"

I guess the bottom line is that instead of blindly ranting and raving, people's comments can be taken more seriously if they examine both sides of the arguement. After all, part of a scientific inquiry is to examine information from all sources to arrive at a conclusion.

Answer 5

Does anyone understand evolution entirely? I think discovery will continue for ever. That is why I believe that Christians should be allowed to ask, challenge, debate any questions in science!

There is nothing to fear in asking questions and the science community and educators should allow debate on evolution.

My biggest questions is, Who caused the First Action that set in place all other actions of evolution? This I believe proves the existence of God.

Answer 6

I think for most people of certain religious backgrounds they don't like to study topics that might disagree with what they believe. On a subconscious level, they believe that they might be wrong, and fear that they could be proved wrong. I don't think that would be the case if someone were truly faithful in their beliefs, however, true faith needs some sort of proof, even if it's not of the five senses, and Christianity, as well as allot of other religions, don't offer al whole lot of that. This, I believe, is why we're starting to see allot of new age religions sprouting up all over the US.

Answer 7

In answer to your first question, very few. I've been amazed at the misunderstandings I've seen here about evolution. 'Why are there still monkeys?' is just the tip of the iceberg.

In answer to your second question, more than the first question but still not enough.

I consider myself well-informed on the topic of religion. I consider it very wrong to reject something wthout knowing about it. It's important that we accept all possibilities and consider them worthy until we've learned enough about them to say that they aren't worthy.

My opinions about God and science did _not_ influence my opinions about seeking the truth, but my opinions about seeking the truth _did_ influence my opinions about God and evolution.

If it's true that you can find more educated irreligious people criticising religion than educated religious people criticising irreligion, this is probably the reason.

Answer 8

The southern baptists and people like Jerry Falwell are not interested in taking an unbiased view of the theory of evolution, because it disagrees with Genesis. In college biology and hopefully everywhere the theory is taught and the defects in the theory explained.

Answer 9

All the people who denounce evolution understand it. Are you hoping it's just a simple misunderstanding and that when it's cleared up then there will be 100 per cent approval of evolution? I don't think it works that way.

Answer 10

feel free to believe whatever you want to- that is why humans have Free will-
but be sure that one day You and all the people of this earth will stand before God and ask Him to forgive them.
God is real - evolution is just a way to hide from it -