what would you tell a person who says that they don't believe in biological evolution because?

Question

It is just theory?

Answer 1

I would ask them if they believe in gravity.

Seriously, we scientists have caused more trouble in the world by refusing to talk like everybody else! Just try explaining to a Creationist that a scientific theory has plenty of evidence backing it up, and that what he thinks of as a theory we call a hypothesis.

Answer 2

The first thing to do would be to find out why they think it is just a theory. If it is because they are creationist (christians etc...) try not to start laughing (it pisses them off). Creationists tend to discount scientific discoveries and change in general because it does not conform to the beliefs of which they were told from a very young age. The staple of religion is blind obedience and although it is not always the case, some people are intelligent enough to make informed decisions rather than taking it on blind faith because it makes them feel good and secure. Often times you will be told evolution is just a theory by a creationist and then they will prompt you with "christianity is proven by the bible." Well... in fact the bible proves nothing at all, it is merely a collection of stories (likely mythical) which is not at all old in terms of human history. Stories such as the illiad and the odessy from greek times are better documented and support multi'theism. Is multitheism the answer because it is supported by literature? Ask them that, it is documented and translated even with the authors name (homer). The fact is the bible is like the lord of the rings... it is literature meant to entertain and as such is in no way shape or form proof. If the bible is proof, then there is an evil warlord eyeball trying to conquer the world (reference to Lord of the Rings)
Evolution has scientific support by which years and years of investigation and education have been involved to take an objective look at the question "why are we here?" And evolution is the best answer we can come up with because it is scientifically supported. Anything short of time travel cannot prove how we got here and as such, ANY idea is classified as a theory. Evolution has been visibly evident due to minute changes on the genetic level resulting in physical differences which were able to capitalize on the current environmental situation of which the organism is contained. A good example is a moth in Russia, which was primarily white, could hide on trees covered with snow and therefore be less visible to predators until a coal production factory was built and began producing soot. A moth with darker markings became better suited to the now soot covered enviroment and was therefore better suited to evade prey. This is the essence of evolution, a tiny change that benefits a creature creates a better opportunity for survival and over millions of years, these tiny changes add up resulting in entirely new species. Keystone species are ones which bridge the gap in evolution (having only half of the differences between creatures old and new) and have been found in all matters of creatures, including the path between ancient primates and homo-sapiens. This is somewhat less theoretical evidence than a book which was written by men who no longer live says so. Evolution can be a method of a higher being to create life and allow a level of spontinaity to the whole thing as well, and as such is able to coexist with creationist theory... you just have to get them thinking outside the rhetoric. There may or may not be a god, evolution doesnt care either way.

Quick edit: If the person is anything like the previous poster VESSEL then you are probably better of running away. Certain people internalize their viewpoint to the verge of insanity and ignore all forms of logical reasoning. They are then likely to begin hearing voices that promote violence and I am not saying this to be rude I am basing this on personal experience. Certain people cannot handle anything which disturbs their comfort level pertaining to spirituality and it is best to let them exist in self dilusional comfort or dissassociate yourself from them entirely. Pick your battles and realize not everyone will be logical and some people will make decisions based on how the WANT it to be rather than how it really may be.

Answer 3

It is a theory with tons of scientific evidence. I believe that there is so much evidence that it will soon no longer be classed as a theory.
The opposite of evolution is creation. Creation is not even a theory, it's just a superstitious belief.

Answer 4

I would tell them that they are delusional, as there is plenty of evidence to suggest that biological evolution is correct.

Answer 5

I would tell them that evolution doesn't argue against creation by claiming the origin of life. It only argues that life has changed since its origin.

Answer 6

Tell them that chimps and humans have 98% of the same DNA, and that some scientists think that chimps and humans might even be able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Tell your friend to mate with a monkey and report back to you on what happens.

Answer 7

They are spoiling for a fight over their beliefs.

They can only feel good about being right if they can prove you wrong, or failing that if they can say you cannot prove your right.

Double-edged sword with these types.... they set themselves up to "win" in their eyes.... and make life miserable for the rest of us.

Answer 8

Anyone else find Vessel's rant quite scary? Good job people like that aren't in charge of the world's one remaining super power. Oh wait... they are!! D'oh!

Answer 9

Well, let me tell you. Currently what I have found out is that Darwin, and all those evolutionists .........ARE ALL COMING DOWN! SCIENCE IS NOW SHOWING THAT CREATION WAS CREATED BY A BLUEPRINT SHOULD WE SAY, THAT THE WAY WE ARE PUT TOGETHER , AND THE WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE, THERE IS NO WAY THAT IT WAS BY ACCIDENT! I AM NOT A SCHOLAR IN THIS BUT I KEEP TRACK OF ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I AM A CHRISTIAN SO WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE ALWAYS KEEPING TRACK OF THE FACTS! YOU SEE GOD IS REAL, JESUS WALKED ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH AND THE WHOLE BIBLE IS NOT A STORY BOOK BUT IS BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS WITH TRUE PEOPLE THAT EXISTED! GET THIS!! YOU KNOW THE NEW AGE STUFF THAT IS GOING AROUND....HAHAHAHAHA! IT IS ALL A COUNTERFEIT! YES IT IS! BECAUSE RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK THE POWERS OF GOD WHICH ARE CALLED THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, ARE ACTUALLY BEING USED RIGHT NOW ON EARTH BY PEOPLE WITH GREAT FAITH! THERE ARE PEOPLE GOING FROM 1 CONTINENT TO ANOTHER IN SECONDS (FACT) MIRACLES OF HEALING (FACT), DELIVERANCE FROM SATAN . YOU NAME IT!! THIS GOD IS AWESOME, DON'T BE IGNORANT BROTHER. DON'T JUST LISTEN. READ THE WORD (BIBLE) GET INTO A GOOD CHURCH. READ WHAT ALL THE SCHOLARS OF CHRISTIANITY HAVE TO OFFER. THERE ARE BOOKS ON ATHEISTS WHO SET OUT TO DESTROY THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS! HAHAHA! THEY ARE NOW REKNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD BECAUSE WHEN THEY DID THIS THEY WERE SLAPPED WITH FACTS OF HOW GOD IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS LIVING AND NON LIVING! NOW THESE ONCE ATHEISTS, MEN OFHIGH INTELLIGENCE ARE TOP SELLERS OF WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD .......AND YES, FACTS THAT THERE IS A GOD, AND THAT JESUS DID RESURRECT, AFTER ALL BROTHER THERE WERE OVER 500 WITNESSES THAT SAW HIM AFTER HE DIED ON THE CROSS. AND SO MUCH MORE! I LOVE IT. I LOVE THE POWER GOD HAS OVER EVERYTHING, INCLUDING SATAN! DON'T BE BLIND! IT SAYS IN HIS WORD ...HE ALREADY WON THE BATTLE WITH THE ENEMY. WHEN THAT DAY COMES ...IT IS ALL LAID OUT..HE WINS! WITH A FLICK OF HIS FINGER EVIL IS OUTA THERE! SO JOIN THE GREAT ARMY OF JESUS CHRIST FOLLOWERS!! IT IS SO COOL, THE STUFF YOU START LEARNING THE REAL POWERS THAT ARE NOW BEING GIVEN BY GOD ALMIGHTY TO US ON EARTH. NOT THE FAKE COUNTERFEIT POWERS OF SATAN ... OH YEAH HE HAS SOME POWERS AFTER ALL HE WAS THE MOST AWESOME ANGEL IN HEAVEN AT ONE TIME. NOT UNTIL HE STARTED THINKING HE WAS BETTER THAN GOD. DOWN HE CAME! IT IS ALL TRUTH! STUDY IT AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! GIVE YOURSELF TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE NOT DECEIVED DURING THESE TIMES. FOR THEY ARE THE END OF TIMES. BE PREPARED AND BECOME A SOLDIER OF THE LIVING GOD! GOD BLESS YOU! THE VESSEL

Answer 10

Tell them you don't believe in God, because that isn;t even a theory that is purely faith based.