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 ignorant 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?

Toopregnant, so preachers purposefully explain it improperly, in ways easily countered (ie straw man) so people don't believe it?

Lion of Judah, Video not available. Still, that doesn't explain why so many preachers LIE about what the theory IS.

Preys Jesus, That's nonsense. Or are you saying preachers don't care what the theory is because it's not in the bible? Why mention it at all then?

Lucky Fokker, believing evolution is real is very different from understanding what the theory actually IS. Why do preachers LIE about it?

Beta fishy, Exactly, so preachers should not mention it at all (like yours) but if they insist on talking about it (as many do) they should explain it properly rather than lie about it.

Jayelle, that Website supports ID which is quite different from evolution and natural selection. ID is creationism masking as pseudoscience. That still doesn't explain WHY preachers LIE about evolution?

Sparkles9, see my comment to Beta Fishy and Lucky Fokker.

Sharon M, What you say is quite possible, if unnecessary. So why do so many preachers lie about it?

m_ryan_a, I'm sure there are people like that. Maybe you're in a good position to answer my question, why do so many preachers LIE about it?

Charles, Maybe you are in a good position to answer the question too, why the lies??

Answer 1

The harm they see is that if people actually understood what evolution really is and how it works (instead of the lies and distortions they often - unknowingly? - spread) then there'd be the problem where people realize how powerful and effective an explanatory force it really is.

Unfortunately evolution is a difficult thing to understand properly, and even learning about it in high school I didn't get it, it never really clicked with me. It wasn't until I took anthropology 409 that I started to get a glimmer of understanding, and then when I started reading some books on evolution it finally clicked and it made sense in a powerful and undeniable way.

The problem is that a surveyed 90% of Americans don't actually understand what evolution is (indeed the majority can't even identify the proper definition if given a list), and the pastors/preacher prey on this lack of understanding, they distort what evolution is and argue against the distortions... it's all an incredible fallacy of extension (i.e. straw man fallacy) but the sad truth is that fallacies are often more persuasive than truth.

Once people actually understand evolution though, the whole of life and its splendor just clicks into perfect understanding and focus. I think this gives a much greater appreciation of life and nature, but theists would rather believe "god done it" and that we were made from dust.

I should also mention that when they try to survey these ministers and preachers to test their grasp of evolution, many of them refuse. Of those who do take the survey, they demonstrate absolutely zero knowledge of it (they are all among the majority who can't even identify the definition).

But the church is very good at fostering denial. Just look at the diabolical mimicry thing.

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 have often said the same thing. How can you refute something if you don't understand it. To that end, I have actually tried to understand the Theory and the arguments against it. But I've never really understood why evolution conflicts with creation. The changes described by evolution could very easily be guided by God, as opposed to random.

Answer 4

The problem is that these preachers have no interest in proving the truth. They only want to proliferate their personal beliefs, or their interpretation of the Bible.

Otherwise the rhetoric that continually comes from these guys would stop happening.

The best way to argue against facts is to distort them, and make them untrue. That is why they claim that evolution states that we evolved from monkeys. They do it to disprove the theory, and sucker their flock into thinking they have disproven evolution.

The poor hayseeds then all nod their heads and say "minister Jimbob is right, my Gramma wadn't no Monkey", and they continue to pay tithe weekly for the luxury if hearing lies and half truths.

In essence, Christians who attend churches that do these types sermons and adhere to these doctrines are guilty of proliferating lies, and thus doing the devils work.

Answer 5

I don't hate evolution and I have honestly never heard my pastor say he hates it. I do believe that God created the world, but I do not think we completely understand that. Whether you believe in creationism or evolution there always comes that point that is too much to wrap your brain around. All questions have not been answered on either side and will not be. I love to learn the science of the world, but for me it only glorifies my God even more. I think the world is constantly evolving but that it is in the hands of my God, my creator.

Answer 6

The largest problem I see is that too many people do not see that science and religion are not made to interact or contradict one another.

Scienceis intended to help define the physical world around us. Physics, biology, the other sciences, as well as mathematics all fall into the category of logos (or rational belief/thought) and are used to examine the world around us.

Religion and myth fall into the category of mythos (or irrational belief/thought). Now, the use of the word "irrational" does not mean wrong or silly. There is no empirical evidence to back up irrational beliefs, but they are also subjective (personally true) where rational findings are objective (universally true). In short, religion is meant to help define and develop the worlds within our minds, to create our view of the world, while science is meant to define the world around us.

Science and religion are meant to remain separate, because they deal with two entirely different subjects. In fact, I submit that when used together, each compromises the other.

When a scientist takes belief to the table when doing empirical research, he or she has already tainted his or her conclusions! The science is compromised by faith.

On the other hand, when looking into faith and applying science, we begin to take things too literally, and miss the intended deeper meaning because we end up focusing on taking literal meaning with the parts that are meant to be entirely metaphorical. The faith is compromised by science.

Please, keep them apart. They don't have to conflict, and you don't have to feel threatened by scientific progress.

Answer 7

I agree. Most Christians are ignorant and only regurgitate what a "wiser" person once told them. I am a Bible College student and this is one of my biggest convictions, especially of my own life. I just read the book "A Mind For God" by James Emery White, and he hints at this as most Christians never study any books, even the Bible, thus creating an uneducated group of Christians. If people studied evolution, just for the sake of understanding it so they can relate, it would be much more effective. So, I agree.

But, trust me, there are some Christians out there who know all about evolution and science and still see God through it all. Unfortunately, the uneducated severely outnumber them.

Answer 8

I'm a theist. I fully accept evolution. My minister fully understands and accepts if as well.

Biblical creation is a crock.

I think you meant to address Christians.

Answer 9

guy i love god but there is evolution around us some and they dont get it like when a bird has a baby with a harder beack so it can crazk diffent this is a type of it or if u take some thing cold to some plaze worm its babys will be a little diffent

Answer 10

That is one of the reasons why this nation is so messed up right now.

ACCEPTANCE

of such an abominable theory; not to mention race relations.