Why do some Christians insist evolution is based on chance alone?

Question

There seems to be a basic misunderstanding of evolution, especially by some persuations of Christianity. Evolution is not a statistically improbable chance event. The driver of evolution is NATURAL SELECTION, an combination of extremely powerful forces of nature that determine whether a mutant organism survives to reproduce. The only role chance plays in evolution is the placement of mutations in the genome. We all suffer mutations every day, about 10,000 in your skin per day if you are exposed to the sun. Evolution is NOT about chance, it is about changes in genes chosen by natural selection.

Answer 1

You are not quite correct. There are two essential elements to evolution: variation, and natural selection. Variation IS a random process; and can take many forms: a base is substituted, or deleted, or DNA fragments are misaligned, but in any event the daughter life form is different from the parent in some way. Most of these variants are inferior to the parent, but some are not, and it is here that natural selection comes into play. A superior variant is more likely to grow to adulthood and reproduce itself, and thus the species improves, or over time, becomes a new species. We can now see why sexual reproduction is so widespread: notwithstanding the great cost of finding a mate, an organism reproducing sexually will transmit its genes widely and rapidly, enhancing the probability that the modified gene will survive.

It is rarely possible to prove a scientific theory: typically, the best that can be said is that a theory is established, meaning that it is routinely used by workers in the field to obtain useful (i.e., correct) predictions. There is typically the possibility that a counterexample to a theory may be found, proving it incorrect. But the theory of evolution depends on only two elements, and both have been demonstrated, so the theory is now PROVED and we can safely speak of the FACT, not the theory, of evolution.

Answer 2

Natural selection is true. you have a wrong idea about it though. Ironically, it actually contribures to disproving evolution. Read this passage from a published non-fictional book that you can find online at www.creationscience.com: (or atleast some of it. I'll summerize that all at the bottom of this message)

5. Natural Selection
An offspring of a plant or animal has characteristics that vary, often in subtle ways, from its “parents.” Because of the environment, genetics, and chance circumstances, some of these offspring will reproduce more than others. So a species with certain characteristics will tend, on average, to have more “children.” In this sense, nature “selects” genetic characteristics suited to an environment—and, more importantly, eliminates unsuitable genetic variations. Therefore, an organism’s gene pool is constantly decreasing. This is called natural selection.a

Notice, natural selection cannot produce new genes; it only selects among preexisting characteristics. As the word “selection” implies, variations are reduced, not increased.b

For example, many mistakenly believe that insect or bacterial resistances evolved in response to pesticides and antibiotics. Instead,

a previously lost capability was reestablished, making it appear something evolved,c
a mutation reduced the binding ability, regulatory function, or transport capacity of certain proteins,
a damaging bacterial mutation or variation reduced the antibiotic’s effectiveness even more,d or
a few resistant insects and bacteria were already present when the pesticides and antibiotics were first applied. When the vulnerable insects and bacteria were killed, resistant varieties had less competition and, therefore, proliferated.e
While natural selection occurred, nothing evolved and, in fact, some biological diversity was lost.

The variations Darwin observed among finches on different Galapagos islands is another example of natural selection producing micro- (not macro-) evolution. While natural selection sometimes explains the survival of the fittest, it does not explain the origin of the fittest.f Today, some people think that because natural selection occurs, evolution must be correct. Actually, natural selection prevents major evolutionary changes.g

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so basically, natural selection removed unwanted genes. It doesn't create new ones that would allow evolution to come about. If evolution really did happen and natural selection was involved, then the early earth started with fully developed humans and the most "evolved" living thing is the simple single cell. Kind of ironic, huh?

Answer 3

Personally, I think it's hilarious when people, who have never even opened a book about evolutionary science, spout their ignorance as if they know something. The old 'just a theory' line is particularly amusing, considering that gravity, the atom, etc are scientific theories too, but they don't seem to have a problem with those. They offer instead of evolution, a fairy tale about supernatural deities and magical powers, it's all quite funny.

Answer 4

There are several common creationist misunderstandings. Not only do creationists misunderstand Natural selection, but they lack understanding of selection processes in general. They also make composition fallacies, assuming the universe has properties of things which lie within the universe, epecially with respect to time. I could spend hours on typical creationist logical fallacies, but I am sure most people on here are well aware of the majority of them.

As soon as I mention lack of understanding selection processes Hand_of_Justice21 proves me right making a common one with respect to abiogenesis arguing it is random chance when actually it is a selection effect of our very existence.

Answer 5

Then you have credited Natural Selection with an attribute that it does not have, the ability to choose, which only conscious beings can do. You talk about NS being the "DRIVER" of evolution, ASSUMING the existence of powerful forces of nature (when you have yet to explain how nature and its forces got to be there in the first place!). How does the Big Bang theory fit into your ideas? What was there for NS to do at that point of singularity?

Answer 6

I would say it is about chance. But that chance is inevitable. It is inevitable that there will be mutations and genetic drift, and other factors that change a populations genetics. Each one happens by chance, but it is inevitable something will happen. Then each one is either positive or negative by chance, but it is inevitable that some will be positive and some negative. So humans coming along is chance, but it is inevitable that at least one species will come along with intelligence.

Answer 7

God vs. Science

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need You anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the beginning."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me," replies God.

"Well," says the scientist, "We can take dirt and form it into the Likeness of You and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show me."

So the scientist bends down to the Earth and starts to mold the soil.

"Oh no, no, no," interrupts God. "Get your own dirt!"

Answer 8

SW,
"Why do some Christians insist evolution is based on chance alone?"
Some don't. Some believe that God gets it going, and makes it happen.

Answer 9

Natural selection only deals with what is already in existance. It doesnt answer the Q of the origins of life. The atheist is again forced down the road of blind chance.

Answer 10

What are the chances of evolving a male and female at the same time.

In 2 Timothy read the following

Chapter 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

THERE IS HOPE FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING YOU

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10