Does belief in evolution necessarily exclude belief in God?

Question

Yeah, so obviously I know what _I_ think, but how about you my friends? And do please try to actually say something in your answer (good puns, witticisms and all other forms of japery and badinage are, as ever, warmly welcomed too).

Firstly I appologise for being under the apparently eroneous belief that capital G God was less than specific and will welcome being enlightened on same.

Secondly, points for pedantry on the whole belief versus evidenced truth thing. _I_ would agree that evolution does not require the same vault of faith as the belief in (any?) God, but it seems to me that others beg to differ.

Thirdly, I figured this question would have been asked before, but we seem to have a lively bunch here just now and I thought I'd chance my arm.

And fourthly, I like inveterate jackanapes - they sometimes have back troubles, but they usually have nice necks.

And fifhly, sir, King or no King, if you are calling either and or both of my parents retarded monkeys, I shall have to ask you to step outside. That kind of assertion is for me and me alone to propound...okay, perhaps my brother has some bragging rights, and maybe my husband...oh and my brother's girlfriend I guess....but apart from them...oh, and anyone who's met my parents...but APART from them...

Answer 1

I most heartily thank you for the words 'badinage' and 'japery.'
I, an inveterate jackanapes (not to be confused with 'invertebrate jackalope) do forthwith wish to see all manner of banter being bandied about.

But here is a quibble: evolution is not something one 'believes' in. It is not an issue of faith. It is a matter of looking at the evidence and thinking, 'yes, this makes sense,' or 'this doesn't make sense,' or 'I need more information here.'

Belief, on the other hand, seems to imply a leap of faith in something that cannot be measured, photographed, quantified, or scientifically tested.

To be reductionist for the nonce, I would say that belief is an internal process, while science is an external one.

Now, back to the jestage.

Answer 2

I believe in "evolution by design" Here are some fun thoughts:

God is in the heaven of heaven's-- how many heaven's are there?
Science says "big bang" can there be more than one big bang?

The bible says "worlds" and Jesus says he is not of this "world".
Jesus also says that he has "sheep of many fold" could he not be referring to these other worlds as part of that fold? (heaven).
Part of his heaven?

Is it not interesting how Australia seems to be a good place to experiment in the evolution of different species; pygmy elephants for example? For that matter; Earth could be considered an experiment; a pushing of the normal to see if improvements can be made for the benefit of up and coming worlds.

Is it possible that Angels of a lesser age-lets say 50 billion years do not possess the spiritual vision to relate to Angels 200 billion years? Where are you in this pecking order?

Right now light is tauted as the fastest thing, how much faster is the spirit? Enoch and Elija.

Why are the central planets so much larger than the inner or outer planets and Yet, the same age? What is the pattern here? Small to the biggest and back to the small.

If 98% of all the mass in our solar system is the Sun, then where do you think the other 2% might have come from?

If you recognized fertile land; would you not grow on it.?

This is " Evolution by God"

Peace...

Fun?

Answer 3

Depends on what you mean by "evolution". If you mean the Darwinian notion that god created one species and allowed the rest to evolve through natural processes, g-d is an integral part of the equasion. If you think I am mischaracterizing Darwin's position I suggest that you actually read "On the Origin of Speicies," rather than just assuming you know what it says.

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved."

Note that many newer edition have taken out the reference to the Creator.

If, on the other hand, you mean the notion adapted by may of Darwin's followers that life itself began through some process other than G-d, that is much more difficult, both theologically and scientifically.

I strongly recommend the Gerald Schroeder essay that I cited below, as well as all of his other essays and books, if ths tye of thing interests you.

The second source is just "On the Origin of Species." Go to the very bottom to see the section that I quoted.

Answer 4

When we get to the end of our studies, as we approach spiritual perfection, we will discover that science and religion were never in conflict. Truth is one and the same.

The present seeming conflicts are simply because our total human knowledge is so finite and inadequate to comprehend higher principles. Our science has yet to discover all the applicable laws. And the teachings of religion are being administered to us in stages, in proportion to our development. First the basics, the elementary principles before the advanced.

In like manner that Hinduism was advanced by the introduction of the Middle Way of Buddhism, so did Jesus upgrade the teachings of Judaism in the Old Testament. And today, with the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, New Teachings that address all areas of human experience are being made available for those who are ready for them.

Enter the Realm of the Spirit
http://innerquest1.blogspot.com/

Answer 5

You can of course harmonize evolution and a belief in God.

You will however have a hard time harmonizing evolution and the God of the Bible. Scripture teaches that death entered this world through the sin of the first humans. Evolution teaches that there was millions of years of death before mankind appearred on the earth.

Answer 6

Organic evolution is the theory that the first living organism developed from lifeless matter. Then, as it reproduced it is said, it changed into different kinds of living things. All of this is said to have been accomplished without the supernatural intervention of a Creator.
Because your taking God out of the process of creating living things, I don't see how you can still believe in Him. The bible clearly says that God created everything, the Genesis account.

Answer 7

Eye saw the Westminster Dog Show. That must be evolution, but by the hands of common homosapiens. Eye guess you could say that God is not doing it(directly) but merely intervening perhaps. God is so many things but I M not God. Thanx!

Answer 8

No, it is the very distinction between times, and without time, there could be no progressive, and apparent evidence of God, to a soul experiencing development.

Without an all-encompassing oneness, there could be no self-subsistent source of reality, and hence there could be no proof of reality at all, for it could not be proven to have either eternity, or origin in time.

PS
I do admit I am amused by your humour at the moment...

Answer 9

Well, it all depends on your interpretation of Genesis. Some say "No, it happened just like in the Bible." Others say the story in the Bible was symbolic, but not literal. And others say that Genesis very much coincides with evolution.

This is a good read, so check it out:
http://www.totse.com/en/religion/christianity/161893.html

Answer 10

Nothing in evolutionary theory says anything about or disproves God. Unfortunately there exists a backwater of fools called Biblical Literalists who believe that the Bible is the true word of God, even where it contradicts itself. Their dogma is incompatible with evolution or reality. they are sad, sad creatures who live lives of deceit to themselves and others.