Sadness and Evolution?

Question

Since I was a child I have always believed in God, but, over the last few years I have come more and more to believe in evolution with all the scientific facts that have come to life revolving around almost everything, now I am wondering if there is room for both, does anyone else have this dilema going on, it makes me feel sad and I have mentioned it to a couple of family members and they are shocked I feel this way, if science is based on fact and religion on theory, how do we hang on to both?

Answer 1

Evolution must be divided into two classes: Theistic Evolution vs. Atheistic evolution.

Atheistic Evolution.....you believe that nothing created everything. That's right, you believe matter created matter and light created light, etc., yet you use the same principles and laws of Physics and Chemistry that you just debunked to trace your origins to monkeys and rocks. If you believe in this, its because its the easy way out for you.(because you dont want to believe in God) Logically it makes no sense and is impossible in the physical realm to which you base science. THERE IS NO BASIS IN SCIENCE FOR ATHEISTIC EVOLUTION. You cant trace genetics, carbon, uranium, etc. on a time scale if you cant start time at a certain point, and especially if you cant tell me where those things came from. The natural cannot create itself, because we have defined the natural by natural laws (conservation of momentum, mass, energy). Therefore, the supernatural("above and beyond nature") must have created the natural. Whether you believe that supernatural entity was God or Allah or The Bolshevic Demon Prince, that's up to you.

Theistic Evolution is a scientific THEORY (as opposed to empirical fact....like there are genetic micro-evolutions that produce beneficial mutations...that is a testable and predictable fact) This theory squares itself with Roman Catholic teachings (Im Catholic by the way), and I have no problem with someone saying that evolution occurred, and that is how we got here. But you have to start with God creating this universe and this planet and every piece of matter there is. Otherwise, you're grasping at straws that you've already broken. Is there scientific facts that can be interpreted as supporting evolution. Sure. Noone knows for certain (at least not at this point in time) But, keep in mind, that these same facts can be interpreted by creationists in an equally scientific way. (Example: when NASA was first sending a man to the moon, they told the astronauts to expect there to be, I believe the figure is 8" of cosmic dust on the surface....because they used the THEORY of evolution to try to PREDICT (remember science is testable and predictable, theories are intelligent guesses that have not been empirically proven) the deposition of dust correllating to their observations of rates of deposition of cosmic dust in our Solar System. When they got there, they found that it was only about 1" (I believe that's the figure). So, when the evidence doesnt support their theory, they can adjust the THEORY.....Evolutionists claim that the rate is and has been exponentially increasing from 3 billion years ago, and that is why there was so little dust.....Creationists say that it was a linear deposition rate, and in the time scale of 5,000 to 10,000 years, that evidence also fits their theory. Both use the same evidence to fit their THEORIES. Are they both wrong....NO...you cant prove it, so it remains a theory.

Myself, I've read just about every arguement, from Polonium halos to Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium to beneficial mutations to transitional fossils, etc, etc, etc. My conclusion....people will take the same evidence and use it to fit their Theory.

SCIENCE is ALWAYS based on FACT. Evolution, no matter what people, or scientists, or teachers will claim, is NOT an EMPIRICAL FACT.

Myself, I believe that God didn't need 3 billion years to create humans. Creationism seems to me to be the best fit THEORY. Am I positively assured that this is Scientific....NO....but I am more positively assured that Atheistic Evolution is an impossibility than I am sure that I am even standing here.

The reason you dont hear much about the scientific aspects of Creationism is probably the same reason you didnt hear much about the Earth being round in Galileo's time. Remember, it was scientifically "proven" that the Earth was flat by a bunch of scientists who used evidence to support their THEORY. If you dont believe in God (for whatever reason) then atheistic evolution is your only way out.

If you are so dead set against believing that God created you and you are the sole authority on Earth, as probably half the world and 90% of scientists(most are to arrogant to say that they dont have all the answers) believe, than no evidence will convince you...you will say anything....like, "Matter created itself"

Once someone PROVES to me that coffee is either good or bad for me, then I'll start altering my coffee drinking accordingly.

Answer 2

Don't be sad, the truth is science is always pushing their side of the issue whereas God has nothing to prove and we have to really seek for him if we want answers, just like you are doing. Science and the Bible agree on many things, for example, thousands of years ago the Bible recommended good hygiene for the control of certain diseases and science now agrees. That's only one thing, there's lots of others.But think about this please, science says everything came from a big bang, well what was it that blew up? Must have been matter, and where did that matter come from? Also, when you look at something like a house you know that someone designed and built it, likewise when you see the marvels of creation, like the organised universe or the intricacy of a cell, you know that a very powerful and intelligent maker and designer produced these things, so don't be sad, keep searching and you will find the answers.Best Wishes

Answer 3

Why not concentrate on the beneficial aspects you have acquired from religion while accepting science and logic as essential aspects of a healthy mind? You don't have to let go of the good things that your understanding of "God" bring to you.

What is it about the concept of God that comforts you so much? Is it that it provides you with a clear moral code? If so, you don't have to relinquish a clear moral code to believe in evolution. Agnostics and atheists are every bit as moral as people of faith, because they understand that life is what we make of it and that humans must rely upon each other since there is no God to save us if we screw up. Is it that you admire the story of Jesus' sacrifice and find comfort in the teachings of Jesus? You can still embrace the story of Jesus' sacrifice in a non-literal manner, and Jesus' moral teachings are still pertinent and, in some cases, inspirational. Do you regret leaving behind the religious community and the social activities of the church? You can still attend church services or activities as a moral and intellectual exercize, and you can find other organizations to fill the void -- perhaps some sort of charity or community service would do you good.

Your dilemma is caused by the fact that you feel a psychological need to hang on to a literal interpretation of the Bible, including its attribution of the origin of the universe to a deity with human emotions, human intelligence, and human flaws. Why not leave abandon this rigid, flawed concept behind while continuing to believe in a benevolent force in the universe which is embodied in the hearts and minds of your fellow humans?

There is still good out there. Perhaps you just need to get out there in the world and start looking for it...and doing it yourself.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

You can believe in a God and evolution. You might not be able to believe in a specific God. For example, many Christians claim that the bible is a literal history of the earth. You obviously don't believe in their version of God because it doesn't fit with evolution. But I would encourage you to deeply look at why you believe in God.

Answer 5

Look at the facts. They all support evolution. Evolution does not diminish God. The universe is more wondrous as you see the "machinery" behind it. Evolution does not diminish Man. We are on a path of improvement so long as we seek the truth. Never let the Bible override Creation itself.

Answer 6

Well, even science was based on theory once. Religion is more faith-based, how well you can believe in something with no proof. Believe in what you will, but keep the facts with it.

Answer 7

Outside the USA most people have no problem with this. The bible is not to be taken literally,you can believe that god set it all in motion and then left the scene, that is in fact the official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church vis a vis evolution.

Evolution is a fact, as accepted as Gravity and Electricity, to try and argue against it is literally not to be sane, ie it is to be irrational.

Answer 8

Evolution is not a recent thing, and it has serious implications. It cannot be reconciled with religion, because it debunks religious beliefs regarding the age of this planet and the origins of life on it.

Answer 9

I know how you feel but you cant just use religion to make you feel better. It's impossbile to believe in something you know to be untrue. How old are you exactly im seventeen and a atheist so it could just be because were both in the awkward year's as they say. But it is no secret life is depressing we must push on through so just try to find something that makes you happy, find someone to love and try to make everyone elses life a better experience.

I know its even more sad to know your just going to have to occupy yourself. But even christians have this feeling its normal.

I am even more pissed off about my simple answer above thn you are but its the only one i know to say sorry.

Answer 10

I think you mean religion is based on faith, not 'theory'.

There are many christians who accept the facts - and if you're intelligent and even slightly educated its hard not to - who are also devout in their beliefs.

I recommend you read 'Darwin's God' it tears apart creationism and it was written by a christian.