Theists: What harm is there in understanding what the modern theory of evolution really is?

Question

Why do so many preachers misrepresent evolution? If it's something they hate so much, why don't they take the time to understand what it really is instead of resorting to their rhetoric like, "why are there still monkeys?" or "there would be a crocoduck!" or "My mama wasn't a monkey!"

Wouldn't it be easier to minister to atheists if you could speak the language of natural selection and evolution?

What harm could it possibly do?

Memory: You are exactly what I'm talking about. You don't understand what evolution is.

Steve N: Maybe you're in a unique position to explain WHY so many preachers misrepresent evolution?

Lori K: Why do so many preachers choose to misrepresent evolution? Are they ignorant or do they simply want the congregation to believe evolution is what they say it is?

funaholic: No, you just proved you don't understand evolution.

Chelsie T: I certainly didn't say that. But why do preachers misrepresent it?

d man: Sorry, you don't get it either.

Hey, Ray: If you actually do understand it and don't buy into it, that's one thing. But why do so many preachers explain it incorrectly?

Not just incorrectly.. but utterly and deliberately maliciously incorrectly. An equivalent would be for me to say Christianity was belief in "an old man in the sky who jerked off on a virgin." I wouldn't dismiss Christianity like that...

Quite a few thoughtful responses and I'm thankful for that.

Unless I am mistaken, however, it doesn't seem like any theist has actually answered my question. I wasn't asking why you don't believe in evolution, and I wasn't saying that people who don't accept evolution as is are not educated.

I was asking why preachers misrepresent evolution and what harm could there possibly be for a theist to actually take the time and effort to actually understand it.

dooltaz,

No I was not referring specifically to the ABC debate which was horrible to begin with. One only needs to look at some of the answers to this question to see what I'm talking about.

Your own take on the matter is highly simplistic. You are, of course, aware the theory of evolution has changed much since Darwin's day.

I would love to see these proofs of yours that intelligence created animals.

Strange that for something that, according to you, is impossible in light of modern science is precisely what is accepted by the vast, vast majority of modern scientists, biologists and ethologists especially. (google: "Project Steve")

Where on earth did you get that "purpose" of evolution from? Your preacher I'm guessing.

Didn't Pope John Paul II even say that "evolution was more than just a theory?" Or did he mean "more than just a theory" in the sense that it was a conspiracy against god as you described it?

So bottom line: explaining evolution as it is, would be a sin?

Answer 1

Cognitive dissonance! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE!

Answer 2

If you are referring to the abc atheist debate, the arguments were simplified for a larger scale understanding. As for the "modern theory of evolution" please realize there are multiple concepts and theories that claim the name of evolution. Some are valid and simply labeled evolution. Others are simply modern hopes that there is no God.

There are two types of "evolution" as the scientific community has stated. Micro-evolution and macro-evolution. Micro evolution is inter-species changes. Macro-evolution is cross-species changes.

Darwin observed the process of micro-evolution in nature, and from his observations he made the false conjecture that because one species changes, then all species must be able to change, and they all create new species. This became the "modern" theory of evolution, also known as macro-evolution.

As for ministry, the fact is, macro-evolution is a lie. It was made up by Darwin, a non-scientific humanist over a hundred years ago, and despite their best efforts, believers in this theory simply can not produce any sufficient evidence for this process to have ever occurred.

Further, if you examine the actual DNA evidence you see so much proof for intelligence that created animals and humans that it is simply impossible for the theory to hold water in light of modern science.

The modern theory of evolution is simply a flawed lie, and teaching a lie goes against the very basics of ethical standards.

What harm could it do? This gets into the purpose of evolution to begin with. The purpose of evolution is not to present a valid scientific theory to society, but rather, it is to give justification for living a lifestyle without absolute morals, and it exists to attempt to give an alternative to the existance of God.

By believing in the modern theory of evolution, you in turn believe that no God exists, or if a god exists, it is not the one revealed in any of the major religions.

Telling someone that evolution is real is telling them the lie that God does not exist and therefore you are in no way accountable for your actions.

People need to understand truth. The bible is the breathed word of God and anything outside of its clearly understood pages always works out to be a lie for evil gain. The God of the bible is the same God that created each person on this earth, and is the same God that promises that when you die, you Will stand before Him and you will either enter heaven or hell. He is also the same God that is so Holy and pure that no man will be declared innocent of breaking His law, and thus all who do not repent and trust in Christ, will be cast into the lake of fire.

The harm: An eternal lake of fire.

Answer 3

I know you think it's impossible but I am an educated man. I know the theory as well as nay one who isn't a full time scientist or natural history teacher. Still I have serious concerns about the time involved in the production of one species to another. I have trouble with the explanation of the beginning of life on this world. Science leave to many hole they can't fill. My faith has filled those holes. It explains the reason that DNA is made up of only "R" isomers out of a 50/50 pools of available material. Science doesn't.. A man CAN be educated and still love the Lord God... Jim

Answer 4

The funny thing is that evolution really isn't anti-biblical. To anyone with half a brain, genesis is a poetic account and not a verbatim factual one. The problem is that the church has grabbed the tiger by the tail and does not know how to let go any more.

If you want information that genesis isn't a factual account about the creation of the universe, then read it in the context of being a genetics handbook with Adam and Eve being representations of X & Y. Still there's a lot of holes, but in this context genesis starts to make some logical sense.

Answer 5

None. The danger, if there is anything, is in accepting the naturalistic philosophy that the theory is supposed to imply. But while I'll agree that misrepresenting the atheists' position isn't a proper way to approach the topic, how is this any different from atheists who do the same to Christian viewpoints and/or the bible?

Answer 6

I am doing my best to educate myself on this very thing. A great way to do this is to have a debate with someone quite knowlegable in the subject. Read the links, test the assumptions and ask lot's of questions. It's rather like playing chess: you only get better by playing someone better than you. Presently, I am engaged in a friendly exchange with both Print Ninja and RSaunders. To date, they have been both patient and informative. If your faith is so weak that it can't stand a good solid beating now and then, what good is it in helping you cope with reality?

That said, I wouldn't undertake such a thing unless you are prepared for the possible consequences, such as maybe being convinced out of your faith.

Tom

Answer 7

I am a very strong christian, and I have not completely rejected the idea of evolution. Though I believe more in adaptation than evolutoin. I have a hard time imagining that my ancestors were monkeys..... lol. But anyway a "day" in the Bible is not necessarily the human "24 hour" day. It could just mark a passing of time. After all it's stated in the bible that a day to God is like a thousand years to us. God is outside of time, we can't limit him by our time contraints. Evolution could just be divinely inspired, thus creationism in a sense.

Answer 8

People often engage in pointless arguments as to whether evolution is established "fact," "only a theory," etc. I feel that much of the misunderstanding arises because the word "evolution" covers so much ground, and people throw the word around without making clear exactly what ideas and positions they are attacking or defending.

Answer 9

They misrepresent it because their bible doesn't give them enough information to understand it. Some Christians use accurate commentary on the Hebrew to understand it, but most don't (or don't know if it is accurate). That's why Judaism has the Talmud, Kabbalah, etc., to understand it. Many very religious Jews completely believe in evolution. To me, Creation is on-going, so of course things are evolving. Also I don't believe the world started in literally one week. The world as our human conciousness is aware of it started in one week.

Answer 10

well. i took grade school and high school education.. so i was exposed to all evolution concepts. without hearing from any preachers what they thought of it.

and now, those preachers that i prefer to hear.... dont concern themselves with the topic of evolution that much... but rather focus with areas of scripture that teach how to best be disciples of the Lord Jesus.

for instance, evolution doesnt help me in knowing how best to handle family issues, or financial matters, so i'll stick with Biblical instruction that does.
...

Answer 11

because they are too busy playing with little boys?!

probably the reason is that they are scared... If they start reading that stuff then other Christians might start too and god knows some one might believe it......so they don't want to let go of there people