Evolution 101: can Christians be educated?

Question

1. Macro and Micro evolution is the same only a different amount of time, if you claim one exists, you say the other exists as well.
2. FYI Man from Ape is Micro evolution (we are the same species = primates)
3. No links between man and ape? DNA proves it, Neandertal man, Lucy, Homo floresiensis, the 'Hobbit', Kenyan skull OL 45500,Homo sapiens idaltu ,OH 65, a new fossil from Olduvai Gorge ,Transitional skull D2700 from Dmanisi ,Sahelanthropus tchadensis, and more
......So how is it coming along trying to find proof for that invisible God in the sky?...lol

Answer 1

If there is one thing I've learned in my constant defense of evolution it's that it's not fair to lump all Christians in the same pot.

*Most* true-believing Christians are not unreasonable people and can deal with a sophisticated understanding of theology and the Bible that doesn't require a childlike adherence to *literal* truth that runs headlong into conflicts not only with science, but common logic ... i.e. that there are *higher* more profound levels of Truth that even science cannot deal with, but these are not to be found in literalism. For example, the official position of the Catholic church is that evolution is NOT incompatible with scripture (see source). It is a small but very vocal minority of fundamentalists who insist on a literal interpretation of Genesis that is not only unreasonable, but *anti*-reasoning.

However, that is not to underestimate just how damaging those literalist fundamentalists can be. These are the ones who work hard to get elected to school boards and textbook committees that affect the education of *all* Americans. (And yes, this is mostly an American phenomenon ... other countries, especially in Europe, are just baffled that Americans are still debating something that they've considered bedrock science for almost 150 years).

Polls show that the efforts of these fundamentalists are not being successful in converting people to Creationism or ID. But they are being successful in *confusing* people. With their "teach the controversy" strategy they make people wonder if Creationism or ID should be given equal time with evolution in the science classroom ... despite the fact that there is no controversy at all within the scientific community. In other words, these fundamentalists are being successful at eroding people's understanding of what *scientists* think (as scientists accept evolution by an overwhelming 95% to 99%).

The result is not just a quaint little discussion about our origins, but a fundamentally *dangerous* erosion of scientific literacy in the U.S. ... not just for Christians, but for *all* non-scientist Americans. It's not just Christian kids in danger of growing up scientifically illiterate ... these fundamentalists are interfering in *all* kids' education.

So yes, Christians, just like everybody, *can* be educated ... but not if the fundamentalist minority is successful in getting in the way of that education.

Answer 2

Do not confuse the majority of Christians with a small vocal sect that believes in the literal word of the Bible.

1. We have only been making observations long enough to observe microevolution.
2. Primates are an order, not a species. The family Hominidae is the great apes, including man -- 7 species over several genera.
3. DNA is fairly definitive. The fossil record is fragmentary but convincing.

None of this disproves God -- only the literal reading of the Bible.

I won't let anyone play loosely with the facts.

Answer 3

Point of fact, which I mention because when the anti science people post things like this I comment on their bad science as well.


Humans and apes are not the same species. Humans are Homo sapiens. Homo is the genus, sapiens is the species. Primates, including apes, belong to a number of genera and species. Genera is the plural of genus, fyi.

Saying "DNA proves it" without any sort of actual reference to the proof is totally baseless, and proves just as much as saying that an "invisible God in the sky" exists proves said existance. You might consider linking to some scholarly papers that get into changes in certain conserved protein coding sequences and time estimates.

I believe you need to take remedial evolution. And debate. And public behavior.

Answer 4

Christians will stay ignorant and uneducated consistently. Micro and Macro evolution are evolution in an entire certainly, they simply attempt to interrupt it up and say one isn't real for his or her theology. The longer the dimensions in time a mutation occurs the extra it turns right into a sparkling species, Evolution a hundred and one. guy and Ape are certainly the comparable 'species group' (primates), and is unquestionably Micro evolution, yet they are going to argue that besides attempting to declare guy is as lots diverse from apes as an alligator is to a fowl (organic lack of information). additionally some species substitute and a few stay the comparable and would co-exist by way of time. that's evolution. (Darwin's survival of the fittest) additionally the uneducated choose to declare "why have not apes developed then?" in the event that they ever took a technological expertise classification they may be responsive to they did and that guy and ape have been from a uncomplicated historical ape ancestor. yet as quickly as returned, you've got a mountain of information and that they are going to nevertheless carry directly to their fairy memories like little young ones.

Answer 5

Yes, Christians can be educated. Jesus cautioned those who challenged him as Pharisees and Saducees saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of GOD." As a result, mature Christians carefully examine and investigate the scriptures with exacting scrutiny; and there are no ignorant Christians. Every follower of Jesus Christ continually deals with the profound issues of life that are to be conceived and understood on a higher level than that established in mere logical positivism or empiricism. These Christians understand, the "scientific method" is a single method of inquiry (or discovery, or proof); and those who overly rely upon science are often the victims of Human Error. The method of Faith (knowing by faith) entails assertion of actuality and truth on the basis of personal integrity as well as widely known and held, well-defined and tested doctrine.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

Answer 6

No they can not.

Just look at the push for intelligent design as proof that there is no hope.

If they were simply to say that God started it all and evolution took over after that, then all would be cool.

Answer 7

It's based on faith, you don't have to beleive; nobodies forcing you. And you don't have to criticize Christians just because you may believe its "foolish". FYI humans didn't evolve from apes, but we share a Common Ancestor, where somewhere along the line, the two species split.

Answer 8

if you're serious about discussing this, please feel free to email me. the ToE and Christianity can logically co-exist. and there are some of us who say to themselves: I don't know if I can believe in a God who can be proven to exist. it is my hope that you have some sense of the "spirit" with every question you feel compelled to ask. that's always a good start.

Answer 9

An UGLY DUDE does not a MONKEY MAKE!!

Genetically speaking of course!!