Does the Christian tendancy to deny evolution stem from this quote?

Question

The good Christian should beware the mathematician and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of hell.
-Saint Augustine, 354–430

We know that mathematics (number theory, if you will) are used to prove many hypotheses, thus elevating them to the status of "Theory." Did Augustine imbue Christianity with a fear of mathematics and a distrust for science because of his own refusal to accept fact over the musings of shepherds?

Barbie... Of course those scientists are not the ones I take issue with. I am discussing those Christians who deny science despite the overwhelming evidence.

Really, UFO??? I thought this was just some below - the - surface thing. People are that blatant?

I'm going to cry now.

Answer 1

In my fundie days we were taught to avoid math because it is a tool of satan that is used to try to trick us into losing our faith.

It was sort of difficult when I started learning algebra, however it was justified by saying that it doesn't have anything to do with satan because everyone is learning algebra. (yeah, whatever).

I think its a way to keep the masses illiterate.

Answer 2

I have a feeling that most of the Christians who deny evolution (which is far from all of them, or even a majority, btw) are less familiar with Augustine than you are.

No--the denial of evolution comes from a literal reading of the first chapter of the book of Genesis, in which it says that God created everything just as it now stands, in six days. A few snaps of God's fingers, and there's the world, just as it is today, only 6000 years younger. (I don't read this passage this way, but some do, despite all the scientific evidence to the contrary)

In pre-Enlightenment days, science was viewed as a way of understanding God's creation, and therefore a way to move closer to God, not as something to be feared (except when it contradicted official Church teaching).

Answer 3

If that quote had not been around, they would have found some other reason to deny facts over fiction stories.
I believe religion is a means of controlling a large group of people. So, when people think for themselves, and start asking questions, it is a big problem, and a threat to their "belief system."
So instead of disproving them, they just mock the scientists and tell them they are going to hell. I guess it's better than actually proving them wrong, huh?

Answer 4

That stems from 1 + 1 + 1 = 1.

Answer 5

The vast separation of religion and science is a modern phenomenon. Historically, most scientist were religious people as well. Look at all those during the renansiance. Your quotation only cautions against "empty prophecies." Sounds like good advice to me.

Answer 6

Evolution vs Creation

Both evolution (Darwinism if you want) and creation are THEORIES (the exact definition in science)they are neither facts nor laws by scientific definition. The "study of the origin of life" is not a hard science like physics for example, which requires an hypothesis to be tested over and over observations made and conclusions drawn. The hard sciences like quantum mechanics gave us the technological and medical advances because their hypotheses can be tested and confirmed by any one with the knowledge, background and equipment to do so. Since no one was there to observe the beginning of life, Evolution and Creation can only be studied from existing artifacts which require interpretation - no one can experiment with their theories and hypotheses to create life or prove what happened in the past. Interpretations of the facts are always based upon the assumptions of the interpreter. As I have said before there is as much evidence for creation as there is for evolution both schools of thought are based upon observation of the SAME SET of existing artifacts the ONLY difference between them is who is doing the interpretation. Each school reaches different conclusions by observation of the same artifacts but are based upon different assumptions. One does not have any more FACTS than the other. Neither one are, nor likely can they ever be, anything more than theories. One is not MORE scientific than the other despite what some people claim! One does not have to teach the Bible to teach creationism any more than one must teach atheism to teach evolution. The bottom line is BOTH are more philosophy than science. Many would have us believe that evolution is based on science alone and that their "evidence" is the only credible evidence that exists to explain the origin of life. And that creation is not credible because it is based solely on the Bible, which it is not. Evolution is not the ONLY explanation that exists and creation is a reasonable and viable alternative. Neither theory is free from gaps evidence, neither theory answers fully all the questions, neither theory presents conclusive evidence. Both theories require FAITH to accept and believe them.

I would prefer that neither adherents to either philosophy condemn each other for their belief in one theory over the other. While I reject evolution and cling to creation and so disagree with those who believe in evolution, I do not belittle them. I am not afraid of having the theory of creation subjected to criticism at any level and neither should evolutionist object to evolution being criticized! Sadly my observations are that the majority of evolutionist do not seem to be willing to afford creationist the same level of respect, but rather prefer to ridicule them. Just as sadly, I often see this in creationists as well. Both theories exist and both can be taught as the two most noted theories on the origins of life. Why is this such a problem?

Answer 7

I believe this tendency stems from humans being wired to accept the word of authority figures without question. Certain parties continue to tell groups of people that evolution is wrong, it goes against God and Genesis, it is false, it shouldn't we believed, and their poor, innocent followers believe them because the person is in a leadership position. While most people grow out of the naive acceptance of authority, others do not, and they are the ones who fall for charlatans like the ones who tout Creation and oppose Evolution.

Answer 8

Many scientists feel that mathematical algorithms of evolution are the absolute proof of the evolutionary process.

Answer 9

I have to think that you're giving to much credit to the average-Joe creationist who probably gets the bulk of his denial not from the written word but rather from the spoken word.... "Everyone says god created the world... so that's it then."

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/Randall_Fleck/Dan_Barker_GIF.gif

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Answer 10

Many of the most emminent scientists have been Christian. Do you forget this?