Evolutionary theory says that human beings do not represent the pinacle of creation. We simply are one of the species that, through naturally selected genetic mutations, happened to survive through myriad environmental changes. And as such, we are just highly successful. But then again, so are rats and cockroaches.
Christians (either creationists or those who interpret Genesis as a metaphor) believe God created life and that human beings have a special place in creation. They agree that God DIRECTED creation (either via Genesis account or via evolution) so that it ultimately led to human beings.
Is this dilemma the real debate between biologists and Christians (and others who believe in theistic intervention), whether God wanted to ultimately create human beings or whether we just are among the lucky species to survive?
2006-12-16 02:24:20 · 12 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Theistic evolution is not much of a debate issue. Those who support theistic evolution don't go running around yelling Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium has been broken in this, that, or the other species -- God is stirring the pot again. They just believe in God working through natural laws. The literal Biblical Creationists have the doctine that the Bible is the true word of God. If that is disproven, the hold that they have on their followers gets stripped away. The debate is about politicoreligious control vs. truth.
2006-12-16 05:18:53 · answer #1 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is just one aspect or specific manifestation (Christian) of sciencentific theory being used to debate the existence of the spirit. ( Supreme or human )
Science studies the material universe.
Biology studies biological forms in the material universe , mechanics, genetics, etc . They do do not study what animates them , makes them live or die. They can only observe what they can see and theorize.
They have not studied the nature of the human spirit and can only explain life in terms of the material universe.
Wonderful example of this is "modern" psychology. This word means the study of the PSYCHE (Greek for soul or spirit)
But back about 120 years ago physiologist from Liepzig Germany named Wilhelm Wundt came up with the theory that man was no different from a rat or frog and that the study of his spiritual nature was a waste of time as there was no "psyche".
Now we have "modern" psychology.Taught in all the best universities, and completely pervading our societies.
The only study that had tried in the past to shed some light on the human spirit has joined the ranks of the other material sciences.
From my viewpoint, who cares whether the current body or life form I animate or occupy "evolved" or not. I am not my body.
But I do care to know and understand life itself and I do consider that doing that will help mankind rise to greater heights
and states than he is currently in, and prehaps change the direction he is currently headed towards.
Religion & Spirituality are the only remainiing subjects that give mankind any hope of this possibilty today.
That's why it's the only catagory on Yahoo Answers that I am interested in.
This is not really a debate. It is a complete imbalance of knowledge and understanding between the material and the spiritual universes. The fact is they BOTH exist. The real question is which one is supposed to be in control???
2006-12-16 03:31:51 · answer #2 · answered by thetaalways 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question poses excellent points, but I don't see an "either/or" option as clearly as you do. If there is some purpose for human life, in other words, that doesn't automatically equate to acceptance of a religious ideal, Christian or otherwise.
The fact is we are animals. And if there's a "God" who created us like the scenario described in the bible, "he" did a lousy job, because human beings are horribly flawed creatures. We murder, rape, steal from each other, we inflict torture and pain on other humans, we are indifferent to the sufferings of our own species. And some of us are so far removed from reality that we sit around singing hymns just waiting for the rapture to come and take us away from this terrible place we humans ceated.
2006-12-16 02:39:16 · answer #3 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God does not operate by luck. He acts with purpose, which is why the theory of evolution will always be a theory, and an incomplete theory with a myriad of holes in it. As far as I am concerned there is no dilemma. God's word says how the universe and all things in it were created and that settles the matter.
2006-12-16 02:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by Preacher 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fact is some species of mammal would have evolved to become the "Alpha species"-due to circumstance it just happened to be the apes that became modern man. There is nothing particularly remarkable or special about man, in fact apart from his intelligence he's a pretty flawed species.
2006-12-16 02:46:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that a god created the universe and the laws of physics and all that, but did not intend for humans. it just wanted to see what would happen. so then the humans were basically lucky to survive. so some of us actually choose somewhat of a middle ground that seems more logical to us. but those are the two main viewpoints.
2006-12-16 02:33:37 · answer #6 · answered by Shamus O'Larry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no debate between Athests, nor biologists, neither 2 of you can not disprove Creation by God. You prove to me that God did not create all things, I don't even have to use the Bible to prove God does exist. Us Christians before been challenged by athists, & o on o prove God, They can not disprove him, They use all their ideals & books, & I won't even use my bible to prove God does exist. Now the debate is on if you re want it, Do you need to go and get a test tube or something or a theory Book, Or some papers to support your ideals, Friend yes I am a Christian & have been one or over 36 yrs. I like to use my bible, But on this debate I don't need one scripture out of it to prove that God does exist & he is the creator of all things. I don't need no test tubes, or any books, I can just take you on a litle walk & you will see God creation & works.
2006-12-16 02:38:12 · answer #7 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the eyes of God, it was 6 days that made the universe. God;s day can equal millions of years in our time. You can't interpret he created it exactly 6 days. In evolution, we evolved from monkeys, God did not know what man looked like because it was the first day of creation. Maybe God took a monkey and created Adam, we will never know. God is capable of creating these kinds of things. Maybe he even created the dinosaurs so he can make changes before moving on. It said he created animals but never said what kind, He said he created man but it didn't say from what. It might've taken God Millenniums to make a single man perfect in it's physical outlook but maybe God's day is a millennium for us because God's time is what is NOT equal to our time.
There is always gonna be a missing link in this investigation of the truth but it's not about science that keeps Catholicism alive but the Faith in it is what made it 2,006 years old.
2006-12-16 02:37:03 · answer #8 · answered by Princess Answers 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There isn't much of a debate between Bible people and educated people.
Bible people have some strange ideas; there's no point debating them.
As for humans' place in the universe, just believe what makes you feel good.
2006-12-16 02:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where did the world come from? Where did the first animals come from?
2006-12-16 02:38:32 · answer #10 · answered by Gerry 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋