evolution and religion?

Question

I'm sure I'll get some nasty replies about this, but: I am an atheist, and fully believe in evolution, which is obviously a far more proven theory than a god creating heaven and Earth. So, why do people believe in god? I went to church when I was younger, and feel that it was pretty worthless. With all of the science out there, how do people believe that god exists? A lot of people that believe in god are just as, if not more immoral that people that don't. Plenty of people that believe in god also cheat on their spouse, lie, steal, etc...

Answer 1

People believe in God because they want to believe that they will continue to exist beyond physical death. They want to feel that the universe is just and safe.

Answer 2

Lets put one thing straight first.
PURE Science and PURE Religion do not contradict each other
Evolution is a Scientific THEORY it is NOT Pure Science.
God has Created Rules and follows them.
God is Logical he does not contradict himself.
There is only ONE True Religion.

Evolution is a theory that all living creatures evolved from some a common evolutionary ancestor.
Evolution also states that this creature evolved from rocks and rain. the reverse steps are
animals and plants - single celled organism - prehistoric cell and mitocondria and chloroplasts - ooze that contains building blocks of life - rocks and acid rain - lava and gases from volcanoes.
that is what unpure-science claims you evolved from
Evolutionary Theory also is missing too many pieces to make a detailed map or picture. like making a puzzle with only 0.1% to 1% of the pieces. doesn't work period.

and since religion gives the only other alternative i'll have to go with the belief that we ARE created by God.
after all how does a quatinary biological programing language (DNA) that works actually come into existance by accident.
there is too much order in the universe for it to have just happened.

Answer 3

From a certain point of view religion is a part of our evolution. Science has been able to explain the simplest versions of religion.The Bible in many ways is just a children's book for those who cannot comprehend science and mathematics. Religion has simplified the concept of accelerated time frames and space. Being a so called atheist doesn't make you right either. In the end you would see that all things lead to the same place. Repentance is something that all people can strive for not just religious ones. From a certain perspective science itself is a form of religion. Many religions may have been originally formed to protect something that was sacred; Truth or some misinterpreted version of science and natural laws. So in a way science and religion eventually complete the circle. Special effects and the old shell game.

Answer 4

I am sure you will get some nasty replies, I will apologize for them and try not to grate you with my bias. (probably inevitable)
The scientific evidence you use to justify evolution is subject to change with the next textbook,or worse, may be proved to be a hoax fabricated to delude both the scientific community and the public. Evolution is a "just - so" story. Entertaining, but impossible.
Going to church can be worthless. Belief in God involves more than acknowledging His existence. If there are hypocrites within the church, don't pattern your life after them, or find a different church. Ask God to show himself to you and then expect Him to answer you. Within 24 hours you could be a new person.

Answer 5

The more I learn about science, the more I am convinced of God, not less. DNA, for example, and how the eye works, etc., all point to an intelligent Designer. Think of all the complexities of life--the systems of the body, the water cycle, the orbiting of the planets, etc.--all coming about by mere ACCIDENT. It takes as much faith to believe that as it does to believe in God!

There are Christians who believe in theistic evolution by the way--that God ordered and oversaw evolution. I am not in that camp myself, but I have friends who are.

The Christians I know are the opposite of immoral - they think hard and carefully about their actions and whether they honor God or not. Are we perfect, no? But we have hope.

And, there will always be young Christians who don't know much yet, as well as false Christians - people who go to church but do not have a relationship with the Lord. But it sounds like you are pigeonholing us all into that mold.

Please don't throw out the baby with the bathwater here.
Life without God is the route to despair and meaninglessness. Please think hard before you throw it all over because of a few bad examples.

Answer 6

I am a Catholic priest and I do believe there is some merit to the theory of evolution, but using evolution to prove whether God exists or not is not appropo. Evolution is merely trying to explain the origin of an empirical universe. God is above empirical evidence. And so, to use evolution to study God would be useless.
The correct sciences or disciplines to study God is Metaphysics and Theology. These disciplines do not depend on what is empirically given in order to function. For example, the number three is metaphysical. In other words, it is beyond the physical and doesn't necessarily depend on any single material to express the concept of three. Cups, apples, corks, fish, eggs, bricks, etc. etc. can be used to express the concept of three. And three does not depend on only bricks to express itself. However, three does not need any material to be known. It is an intangible concept. We did not set a few stones together and then get the concept of three. We had the concept of three in mind and set a few stones together to express it.
Since such metaphysical things can be known without the theories of empirical sciences, then there must be something that is supremely metaphysical just as there are things on earth that are supremely physical (e.g.) rocks. And that supreme metaphysical being we call God. And since we can perceive something beyond us then it must exist in order for us to perceive it.
I am sorry that your experience in church seemed worthless, but the thing to ask yourself is how much of yourself did you put into church? A lot of people go to church to get something out of it, but forget they are to put all that they are into the church as well. As stated in "Sacrosanctum Concilium" people are to (1) participate (2) fully (3) and consciously in the liturgy and life of the church. If one does not do so, then they will always be disatisfied with church. What goes on in a church is relational and therefore, what is given must be responded to and not just taken by us.
Finally, as far as the morality of believers and non-believers, I am no judge of this and no one else can be. How is it you know that Non-believers are of a higher moral degree than anyone else? Is this just something you heard said once and believed it without checking to see if it is true? And just how can anyone prove it is true. Maybe they can use all that science that is out there and see. But until then no one can say.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

Answer 7

science and religion dont go together and neither does evolution and religion point blank period. i myself as a pantheist believe in evolution and most scientific theories that are out there and if you ask me you should try to redirect this question at christians since most nonchristian religions do in some form or another believe in evolution. i for one believe in all things are possible with and without god of any sort. i may not know if god is real or not but at least i feel there is a god some where out there watching us and saying "i got you humans good with evolution!" i bet he or she is laughing at the christians and other religions who believe evolution to be wrong.

Answer 8

I fully believe in evolution. But i also believe that it is good to believe in the bible because, if no body believed in the bible then there would be a lot of bad people. (well, a lot more). So yes, evolution definitely happened, but the bible is a good thing to believe in. It keeps people in check. Just a thought.

Answer 9

Believing in God has nothing to do with thinking, in fact, anyone who actually thinks about it realizes God is a human invention. People believe because it makes them feel good and gives them comfort - they find the real world too difficult and so retreat to the fantasy world of religion.

Answer 10

Contrary to popular belief, not all religious people believe that science and God are mutually exclusive. The scientists that I've met are highly spiritual, even religious, people.