"Belief" or "disbelief" in evolution: Does it really matter?

Question

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Science doesn't give a rat's furry one if lay people believe or disbelieve in scientific theories. Lay people, frankly, aren't typically qualified to make an informed judgement anyway.

Science will progress with or without peoples' belief in evolution.

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Theologically, most christian sects accept the validity of evolution, and don't see a conflict between it and christianity (genesis is accepted as an analogy). Only a small minority of christians actually see evolution and christianity as being at odds (due to a literal translation of the bible)

So christianity doesn't require belief in one direction or the other. Christianity will continue with or without peoples' belief in evolution.

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So my question:

Isn't the whole evolution debate that occurs here everyday completely pointless?

Answer 1

im sick of it i dont care anymore

if someone doesnt believe in evolution i just dont care anymore

Answer 2

Evolution DOES happen. The question of weather or not WE evolved from something else....well, I'm not sure that will ever be answered 100% without a time travel machine of some sort.
Personally, I don't see how the belief in a creator conflicts with the belief in evolution. I just think that one belief is based on scientific theory, and one is based on theological teachings. One should be in school, one shouldn't. A person should be allowed to have whatever faith they want to, so long as it doesn't hurt others. Scientific theory, however, SHOULD be taught in school. Keep religious theories out of it, or we would have to teach them ALL. And there are thousands. It would simply be impractical. I'm not apposed to saying in school, that some people believe in creationism......but leave it at that, and not argue.

Answer 3

No. The bigger problem these arguments relate to is: should we teach our children that the "theory" of intelligent design is a reasonable alternative to the theories of evolution, as if the scientific method allows us to choose conclusions based on our desire to believe.

Of course this is not the case. Scientific reasoning is based on pure logic, not desire. The "theory" of intelligent design is not a theory at all because it cannot be tested or falsified. Rather, it's a baseless contention put forth by hacks, frauds, and charlatans in an effort to bolster Christian influence in our public schools.

Too many Christian parents want our public schools to teach rehashed creationism in the form of ID "theory". If this becomes the norm, all of the non-Christian or non-religious parents will be faced with the prospect of their own children being warped and misguided.

If an adult wants to believe the theories of evolution are a sham, that's fine. If they want to teach their own kids the same I could care less. If they try and shove it down my child's throat (so to speak) I won't stand for it. Ultimately this is the unspoken motive behind much of the ID vs. Evolution debate and it's of the utmost importance that we don't allow ID "theory" into our public schools.

In America, a country where many of our children are falling behind other 1st world nations in terms of education, we cannot afford to let this kind of drivel (intelligent design "theory") pass as acceptable science.

Answer 4

Well spoken, the only thing I slightly disagree with is you said "a small minority of Christians". In my expierance, It seems as though most. They see science as a rebuttal to their faith. Zechariah Sitchen in the 12th Planet makes a beautiful mixture of all religions and science also. I do not completely agree with his views, but, it makes more sense than anything else out there. I don't know why people get so fired up.

Answer 5

I think my part of the country contains that small minority of Christians. A coworker the other day was talking about how he takes Genesis literally and that he didn't think the dinosaurs died that long ago.

I didn't say ANYTHING and he said, "Ellie, I KNOW you're making fun of me!"

I was, in my head.

I saw a bumper sticker today that said marriage is one man and one woman and advertised an anti-gay marriage website. To be fair, the license WAS from a neighboring state.

Answer 6

I believe worrying about where we came from is pretty pointless, as simple laymen, when we have so little info. Someday, science will have better answers. I'll just wait until science can better explain it all to worry about it at all.

However, I do have a problem with people propagating incorrect info on evolution and/or twisting science to make a religious argument.

Answer 7

Yep pointless. And even if there were a point, seems to be futile to argue anyway. I haven't seen anyone say "hey, maybe you're right" on either side.

Answer 8

Christianity doesn't support evolution.

Answer 9

Pretty much.

But I'm going to fight like h*ll to keep bedtime stories out of our school's science classes.

Pabs

Answer 10

the debate goes on because people can't exept that they might be wrong or if could have happened in the bible they can't exept it being that they believe everything in the bible is true