Educated people: What do you think when you read something like this?

Question

Just an example:

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"Being educated by an evolutionist is like being fed from the garbage... It tastes mighty fine if you are hungry and thirsty and never experienced real food before... but if you know the true food and are full then it is nothing more than garbage.

Besides evolution is just a theory... it has never been proven nor repeated... why do they teach it as fact??? Evolutionists deceive people... I don't trust them"
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Do you ever sigh and just shake your head?
Lately I've been feeling like it's hopeless to try to educate the ignorant. They're ignorant not because they haven't been exposed to the facts, they're ignorant because they IGNORE the facts and reality.

Should we really just give up on people who say things like this?
Aren't they beyond the reach of rational thought and education?

If you can't read a couple of paragraphs, then you should have noticed that the question explicitly not directed toward you.

Answer 1

I hope they are not beyond reach of rational thought and education. I'll give up for tonight, but I refuse to give up altogether.

Answer 2

Yeah, I know how you feel... I usually avoid this category because I am very discouraged by the incurable ignorance of the religious masses. I often sigh and shake my head, and dont even bother to respond to such "garbage" as the paragraphs you cited, because I like you have learned from experience that it is not just ignorance that motivates these people it is blatant denial of reality and that cannot be argued with in any meaningful way. It makes me sad because as an inquiring mind, I love to learn and teach others when they completely deny the facts of reality it makes me feel a little hopeless and I do think they are beyond the reach of rational thought and education. I have written them off and I mostly concentrate on those who truly want to learn and are not narrow-minded and in denial....

Answer 3

It can seem hopeless, especially if you try and educate them by telling them that their beliefs are wrong. Sure they're wrong, but they think the same thing about yours so that won't get you anywhere. I find the easiest way to educate those who dismiss evolution as 'just a theory' is to inform them of the scientific definition of the word theory, and to explain to them that many concepts they assume as truth are also theories in the same respect, such as gravity. The comparison between evolution and creationism as two theories is completely invalid, and when shown as such without actually attacking the person's beliefs you may be able to educate them. Often you won't, but it's the best strategy I can think of today.
And no, we shouldn't give up on people who say things like this, because those people, for better or worse, have a lot of political power in many countries. While it shouldn't be your responsibility to educate them, leaving them to their ignorance is not a good solution for anyone.

Answer 4

The author of the anti evolution rant surely believes that creation should be the only thing taught. Some others here think only evolution should be taught. I would suggest that since, like it or not, our country will always be full of various different groups and their opinions, schools should give a brief overview of the most well know theories/beliefs including both creation and evolution, and then move on to facts like science, chemistry etc. Let the student take their cues of which beliefs they will espouse from home or from their own conscience.

Answer 5

Yes, I do think people who talk like that are beyond the grasp of rationality in a sense. They are dogmatic, and although I'm sure some people are like that with the intention of being good in God's eye, it is a sadly literal take on the bible to view any evolutionist theory as garbage. They are the counterpart to metaphysical reductionists in the sense that they remain skeptical and despising of science just as those scientists who believe everything that IS can be understood within the grasp of science, therefore they despise anything that could elude science such as spirit or god. I highly recommend to you a book by John F. Haught "Science and religion from conflict to conversation" It's thourough and quite interesting.

Answer 6

You can't force people to learn. You can give them the tools, show them the path but it is up to them to walk it. Beyond that there is nothing one can do. If they choose ignorance it is their choice. Unfortunately ignorance usually breeds ignorance and it will carry on from one generation to the next. I can only see that getting worse as many turn to either private church run schools or home schooling which will be selective in what they teach.

At this point I think it becomes imperative to spend the time and resources on those willing to properly educate themselves.

Answer 7

People will believe what they want to believe. Theories are possible answers to questions that can't be proven. Some things we take on Faith alone. On other things, we settle for the best possible answer or we keep an open mind. If a thing (evolution or Adam/Eve or big bang or whatever) could be proven, there would be no need for theories and/or faith alone.

Does this make sense to you?

Answer 8

I shake my head. Consider that among the group of those who say these things, there is a small percentage who are simply repeating what those they consider to be reliable have told them and have just never considered they might be wrong. It's difficult to get through to those rational diamonds in the rough, but not impossible.

The key is to make a determination early on whether the person you are talking to values rationality or not. If not, just move on, or switch to emotional appeals. But if they DO value rationality, they might be worth your time.

Answer 9

I read this answer to a question some minutes ago. I'm really impressed by the ignorance and the hate exposed by this avatar.
I agree with you but remember that this side is for any kind of opinions.

Answer 10

The resistance to Evolution by those whose world view is "God did it" and that they are unwilling to consider any alternative theories, should be ignored.

The next generation, that we must reach.

Ultimately anyone who matters in our society believes in Evolution. Sure theres the george bush's and this type of person but really, is george bush doing surgery on you?