Evolution proves the non-existance of God?

Question

I believe in evolution and yes I believe in God. I just dont get why people from both sides of the equation feel that you have to have one or the other. Could it be both are right and both are wrong in some aspects?

I find it ludicrous that the religious side feels that evolution threatens the existance of God and atheists feel this solidifies their argument to the non-existence of God and it somehow strengthens their argument.

Both are wrong really, its been scientifically proven evolution exists. God is a little harder to prove. However I pose this to atheists...if science and evolution proves their thought on the non-existance of God then tell me where in the science of the entire universe has anything ever evolved from nothing? Fact is, nothing! So there your argument that we evolved from nothing proves irrelevant. Nothing in this universe comes from nothing. Can both sides please try to be a little more open minded and atleast agree with me somewhat?

Answer 1

No evolution does not disprove god. But it does pose a very large challenge. Evolution and Christianity are not as compatible as you may think. If evolution is the correct theory, then that means that the literalist biblical theory is not right. Sure you might be able to save it by saying that it is metaphorically true (say, a day to god equals a billion years or whatever). But if some parts of the bible are not literally true, then why think that any of it is literally true? Jesus, God, etc. can all be seen as being metaphors for the natural world and the human condition. With no way to really tell what is literally true and what is metaphorically true, allowing that at least some of it is not literally makes the rest questionable. If one part is not true, or only becomes true if you take it as a metaphor, what does that say about the rest? What the bible says then cannot be believed just because it is in the bible anymore, and one of the central justifications of christianity crumbles. of course god can still exist, but its a major challenge.

Ok as for your other question about how can an atheist account for the existence of anything without a God: all i have to do is ask you where god came from. Did god come from nothing? Was he always there? If you say god came from nothing, then you violate your own rule that nothing can come from nothing. If you say he was always there, then why can't the atheist just say that the universe was always here? Why can't the atheist just say that the universe always existed? Its more likely (by occam's razor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor ) than the belief that god was always there. Religion doesn't answer the question of where things came from, it only begs the question of where god came from. Under the religous explanation nothing is really explained.

I admire your call to tolerance and hope of compatibility, but i'm afraid its nothing more than political correctness. It would be nice if both sides could be right, but when you think about it there really is a tension.

Answer 2

Actually, you're right about one thing...nothing evolves from nothing.
You fail to take into account that the first life forms were amino acids, which were the product of chemical reactions. The temperature of the planet, the right weather conditions, the exact distance from the sun to sustain said amino acids...all of these (and many others as well) are random elements that contributed to life. Yes, life arose from the chaos that occurred after the big bang.

Research is being done to investigate what happened before the big bang (since this is in a way related subject matter). One of the hypothesis being investigated states: the universe, after eons of expansion, undergoes an equal amount of contraction, until eventually, there is explosive decompression (again, and on a cosmic scale) repeating the big bang (this is string theory and super string theory at work). If all evidence points toward this, then it would imply that the universe is eons older than we can even estimate, and possibly even eternal as well as infinite.

All of that said, no, evolution does not prove the non-existence of god (its impossible to prove non-existence anyway...only existence can be proven, and that hasn't happened yet). It does however, when combined with archaeological and astronomical evidence, lend much credibility to the argument of "no god(s)".

BTW...Macro and Micro evolution are the SAME THING. Change is change regardless of the scale. The 2 terms were introduced by the church in order to cast doubt on a proven theory, and attempt to keep belief in the bible.

Answer 3

Red Eye hits part of it.
The problem is indeed with the truth in the bible and the negation of that.
It is particularly a major problem for the Christians.
If Evolution is true then Adam and Eve is not right.
If Adam and Eve did not exist, did not eat an apple and get booted out of paradise then the Original Sin does not exist.
If there is no Original Sin then there is no need for universal redemption.
That means no need for God to have an illegitimate son and have him crucified.
That means no need for Christians.
That means the end of a 3 billion dollar a year industry.

Do you understand now why religion fights against evolution, and why it is especially the Christians that are the most upset with it?
It really is that simple.

Answer 4

People who believe that evolution doesn't exist are blinded by religious teachings from the bible... Adam & Eve were not the first people on this earth... It even says in the bible that Adam & Eve had 2 sons Cain & Abel... When Cane killed Abel they banished him to the neighboring tribe... Where the hell did this tribe come from if Adam & Eve were the first people on earth... If you study the bible closley you can relize that certain passages are farfetched, so it is easier for people to understand... The whole thing with Adam & Eve is to portray that they were the first humans on earth that had a soul... They were the first people that had guilt & remorse... Inturn were the first real humans from God...


I also don't understand why it is hard for people to see that there is a God... Evolution doesn't dismiss the fact... Just because you can't physicaly see or touch God, doesn't mean he is not there... I can't physicaly see the oxygen molocules in the air that i breath, but i know they are there...

And this farce about the world being only 5000 yrs old... Comeon people... We have physical proof that it is older than that... Do you actually believe that humans and dinosours lived together at the same time... Also carbon dating is almost as accurate as DNA testing... and some of those bones they have found are pretty damn old...

Answer 5

Can you prove god without your bible and scripture quotes and show tangible evidence? NO neither can! that is why we are all entitled to believe what we want because that is all we have to go on is ultimately our own belief and faith or lack there of. Im pagan not atheist but i do not agree that science is their religion. THey have no religion that is why its called a theist vs Poly theist vs monotheist, they have no religion and it is not science though they may use it to back up their claims, those are scientologist you refer too. Atheist are just what they are non believers nothing more or less. This does not make them bad people or good each person is still and individual and that is how they should be based and treated. So when you can prove the existance im sure they will be able to prove the opposite. No one has irrefutable proof that is why their are so many to choose from and the glory of it. i await to see proof from anyone that is not from scripture, the bible, quran, torah, book or morman, or what ever the faiths book is or if non religious the proof from science? I say neither can do it so it is a moot arguement. you have to agree to disagree and just go away and believe what you want in the end. Good luck with the proof, i am not against it id love to see it one way or the other too.

Answer 6

Thank you for attempting to be a peace maker. This is an open forum for discussion, so the following is my 2 pennies worth.
Understanding science is essential in order to refute the dogmatic mind. In science there are no absolute truths, no sacred cows, and no great secret to be discovered that will allow all scientists in a field to retire and go home. Instead, all hypotheses and theories are subject to modification and even replacement as new research and discoveries become available. Science is not dogmatic, and those who try to present it dogmatically are doing it a disservice. It is important to understand the basics of several scientific concepts in order to understand the nature of science and the method central to it.

A summarized format for the Scientific Method is as follows¹:

1) Ask a question concerning observations which have been made.

2) Propose a hypothesis which could explain the reason(s) for the observations.

3) Make a prediction (which would hold true if the hypothesis were correct).

4) Test the prediction.

5) Draw a conclusion based on the outcome of the test.

Note: Use of controls, replication of experiment(s) and publication of results are also employed when using the scientific method.

Answer 7

"tell me where in the science of the entire universe has anything ever evolved from nothing?"

Quantum physics shows how even in a "pure" vacuum there is continually the creation of matching matter & antimatter particles. Normally this matched particles immediately annihilate and the end results is no new matter. However, it is possible for the two particles to escape from each other and result in the creation of new matter.

However, I basically agree with you. I am completely atheist when it comes to the claims of the Hebrew Bible. I am convinced that Yahweh is every bit as mythical as Zeus. But I do not rule out the existence of some creator that we do not understand and have no way to detect with objective & repeatable observations. This looser hypothesis of a "god" does not in any way conflict with Evolution.

But I caution you to not therefore conclude that belief in God and belief in Evolution are somehow equally valid. Evolution has a great deal of evidence and proven theory to support it. There are no hypotheses for the existence of a God that have any evidence to support them.

Answer 8

Yeah..I'm not sure where people get that either, evolution is -NOT- scientifically proven what-so-ever. There may be some evidence gathered that suggest it, but above that, nothing! This just shows the bias that is taught in schools. Science is so biased. To correctly go about an experiment, you must assume nothing. Scientists assume evolution is automatically the origin of existence, when there are in fact -HUGE- difficulties within it. With the evolution and God thing, it depends on exactly what you believe. In the Bible, the way Genesis describes day, it does mean a literal 24-hour day, and it does imply a young earth, within 8 thousand years old or so. Click on my name and see the other questions I've answered, I go into more detail about it, but as to not repeat myself, please just refer to my earlier answers. It seems to me that doctors are against evolution...whenever they chop off an unwanted extra limb or other mutation, they're stopping evolution do its work! Lol, I'm not an evolutionist though, and I think it's ridiculous. Anyhow, if the God of the Bible, the God of Genesis is real, then evolution isn't.

Answer 9

talk to us all again after you have found all those lost sox. When you can show me the pile I will think maybe you are smart enough to figure out creation, oh and as proof I want my beige sock back, i am pretty sure it was the left one.

you guys wiggle so pretty, I am eternally amused.

OK now I actually read your question and seems to me If God understands genetics why would He wait around basically forevr to create different life forms, no He would play with DNA in His lab until He came up with something interesting and then plant it here and see what happens. Evidence--blood types,, B- is a much later addition. Seems to me He does not have all the bugs out yet. No doubt He too finds all this amusing. I mean either you know there is a creator and you are His friend or you choose not to be His friend and that for us is where the rubber meets the road. The word says He created us to be His friends, and that is the only logical explanation I am aware of as to what is going on. Even philosophers will not argue that reasoning.

Ok now I have to watch the John Stewart show adios

Answer 10

You're on the right track.

I'm an agnostic/athiest (depends on what day you ask) who arrived at that place by roads other than science.

I don't understand how anyone could be so arrogant as to believe in a supreme being and presume to know how this supreme being created and guided life.

Seems to me that if there is a God, he's no parlor magician...no swish of a wand and **poof** fully formed and functioning planet full of life.

Science and religion are not competing philosophies. It is falacious to assume they are. Science deals with the mechanisms of the natural world. Religion deals with faith and awe and the human "heart and soul". Just as the church survived when the Earth was demoted from center of the solar system to planet #3, it will survive the fact of evolution.


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Oh, and Mescalin5 said "correct there has to be a creator. nothing can come from nothing. why can't these non believers grasp this fact."

Care to take that line of logic backwards one more step?

Who created the creator?