2007-01-20 08:22:55 · 15 answers · asked by Steve A 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Rejecting science is mostly an american phenomenon (and it reflects very badly on america as a country)
Even the pope understands this:
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/vaticanview.html
2007-01-20 08:27:11 · answer #1 · answered by eldad9 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing conflicting between faith and science, since they both adhere to the discovery and apprehension of the Truth. So with that being said, there is technically no barrier to any Christian's acceptance of the scientific theory of evolution. However, the concept of evolution tends to be a fuzzy one, and perhaps the confusion in the matter is a misunderstanding of conceptions among the differing stances on the issue.
So if we mean evolution as just a process by which species change over time through natural selection, there ought to be no conflict. I'm Catholic, and I believe in evolution for the most part in this light (I suspend my judgment on some things, because there are some scientific holes to the theory as well, and I think there may be other mechanisms). But as a general concept, I have no qualms, and I think it's a valid theory.
If, however, we mean it to be what's called "evolutionISM" whereby one asserts that the development of life occurred by mere mechanistic and deterministic methods, without the intervention of God (or some higher power), and that there is no spiritual reality in the world, I would strongly disagree with that statement. And I have no qualms over that either, because such a statement is unscientific, as it makes claims that cannot be proven scientifically.
To throw you for a bit of a loop (perhaps), I also consider evolution to be equally compatible with the idea of Intelligent Design. If you'd like some reasons for this position, I recommend reading "Darwin's Black Box" by Michael Behe (especially), and "Intelligent Design" by William Dembski.
2007-01-20 08:36:34 · answer #2 · answered by greyrider1000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I swallowed that hogwash hook line sinker and the tackle box that went with it. When I became a Christian I saw it for the error that it was, it was not based on facts, only conjectures, of very few so called "evidences". The truth of evolution is a lie, promulgated by those who will not believe in God and who refuse to believe there is a God and refuse what they call "special creation" as an impossibility (it would be impossible if there was no God). Evolutionists squawk, complain and holler that they cannot get any Creationists to debate with them. However, everyone in the past has left them with little to debate. So what do they have left - name calling, slurring, saying that creationists are ignorant and delusional for believing in such idiotic notions. Yet they have not brought forth one solid piece of evidence that totally is proof positive of evolution against creationism.
2007-01-20 08:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do. Who is to say that evolution is not God's "tool" for creation? On the other hand, God created us with reason .. and science is a product of our reason . . and Evolution is a product of science and hence a product of our God given reason.
Biblical literalists/fundamentalists are "lazy Christians" and really don't have the dedication of the mainline Christians like Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, United Church of Christ, Lutherans, Episcopalians, some Baptists, etc . . .to study, reflection and discernment.
2007-01-20 08:38:34 · answer #4 · answered by morahastits 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I believe that there are most likely elements of both evolution and creation in life.
There is no doubt that there are some elements of natural selection in the process of life. For example, moths in certain environments can assume the same color as their surroundings to evade predators. Its of course the moths that "stick out" from their surroundings that get eaten by their predators and do not survive to reproduce. Thus survivors produce and continue the species. Having said this, I think its naive to think that given that species adapt to their environments, that there is not an overall design element to the moth life form to begin with.
Although there are proven natural selection processes that occur within evolution theory, there are a lot of problems with the overall theory. For example, there are no "in-between" species meaning that species went from one to a completely different one without gradually changing. Darwin even had problems with his own theory. Also, it is more probable that a tornado go through a junk yard and create a 747 than for evolution to have created life. In other words, there is an element of "design" in the existence of life. If there is "design," there must be a creator. But there are definitely natural selection processes that also occur within the overall creation and adapting of life.
I think that there are some natural selection processes in life but that the overall design came from our Creator
2007-01-20 08:25:55 · answer #5 · answered by charles 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
not I.
an Evolutionist might believe in "God" and might even call himself a "Christian" but there is no way that an evolutionist can believe in the authenticity, reliability, and inspiration of the Bible and still cling to evolution. Either you believe in evolution or you believe the Bible but you can't swing it both ways.
If you dismiss the reation account in Genesis 1 and the account of Adam and Eve in the garden in Genesis 2, you trash the words of Jesus and the writings of Paul. You must rip out parts of the gospels and the letters of Paul. You do away with sin and the need of salvation, the redemption of man and the hope of heaven. There would be no judgment, no new heavens and earth, and certainly no return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If Christians hold to evolutional theory, they must turn their backs on the clear teaching of Scripture.
ya gotta choose.
god bless
2007-01-20 08:28:25 · answer #6 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I do. I honestly don’t see how it can be denied, considering all that has been learned about DNA.
And even if some do not believe it, it is absolutely possible to both appreciate science and serve Christ as Lord and Savior..
It is my understanding that this intolerant view of science is almost exclusively a fundamentalist- Protestant view.
2007-01-20 08:27:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The vast majority worldwide, most also are not biblical literalists.
There is a large world outside the US's bible belt.
2007-01-20 08:26:06 · answer #8 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't. Just no evidence. No matter how many times evolutionists refer to it as "evolution" I just can't forget that is really is the "theory of evolution" none of it has been proven, therefore not the "law of evolution".
2007-01-20 08:28:15 · answer #9 · answered by HAND 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I do not!! Evolution cannot be proven nor beleived in. It is a religion that exists because faith in God doesn't!!
2007-01-20 08:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by donefishd 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋