Why do the realtively small bunch of creationists claim a monopoly on Christianity?

Question

I went a Christian secondary school and was taught science by Christians, some of them quite devout. All of them, absolutely without exception, would have been horrified if anyone tried to teach the unscientific garbage fantasies of "creation scientists".

More than ten thousand American Christian clergy have signed an internet petition supporting proper science teaching and opposing the teaching of "creationism" in schools.

http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/religion_science_collaboration.htm

So where do Creationists get off claiming that opposing science is "Christian"?

Umm, I grew up in a Christian family. Some family members are still devout Christians. Some of my friends are Christians. I went to a Christian School. I live in a country, Australia, which is supposed to be 68% "Christian".

As far as I'm aware, I've never met a creationist, except on the internet.

Thank you, Drake, for revealing the truth that my entire family, all my teachers and virtually everyone on the entire continent I live on is under a massive delusion engineered by a supernatural being called Satan. Or, alternatively, that you are a nutcase.

Answer 1

A relative small number of people still believe the world is flat. Creationists aren't the 'leaders' they just have more press.

I'm from a very similar background in education and the same for me.

The problem is that with the scientific (not religious) theories that oppose Creationism cause fear as they don't have a complete answer.

In a Creationists view anything that can't be explained is filled in nicely with 'God Spackle' so that nothing is left to random chance and the unknown. A very safe and warm feeling. To call into question these thoughts and responses is very disturbing as the questioning can then move to other subjects considered heresy (God's omnipotence and even existence). So to be safe ANYTHING that questions the Word of God is wrong no matter the facts.

With scientific theories ALL must be questioned and examined. For example the maximum speed one can travel at (the speed of light) is now in question. The gaps in knowledge aren't reasons for fear but rather opportunities for exploration.

The best approach in my opinion is to hear all sides. Teach creationism in religious classes and NOT as science (which requires reproducible . Teach the evolutionary theory in science class and NOT evolutionism. Teach kids to analyze the facts and make intelligent decisions. Not be led about blindly by religious, political or entertainment figures.

Answer 2

Freedom of religion. They have the right to believe in Creation if they want to. They should respect other people's freedom of religion though and at most ask that Evolution be taught in such a way that highlights the proven facts, and is honest about the existing puzzles. This would be more in line with how it is dealt with in Universities, which is very respectable.

I found they were much too indoctrinating with Evolution when I was in primary and secondary school. As a Christian it was a huge turn-off. If they had just stuck to facts, I would have been fascinated and drawn in to help solve the puzzles no matter my background.

Creationist scientists need to be shown in a respectful manner that no matter what they find to be true, people aren't going to believe them, because they are biased. I'm sure there is a philosophic/scientific way to put this ie. their hypothesis is too large or something.

Bottom line is, both secondary school curriculum's and the creationists need to clean up their act.

Answer 3

I would ask why you choose to believe the bible for your Salvation, but disbelieve it for the story of Creation.

What makes the story of Creation, less believable than the doctrine of an afterlife in heaven? Who gets to decide what parts of the Bible are made up and what parts aren't?

I think creationists get to claim a monopoly of Christianity because they actually believe in the bible and literally interpret it.

When you choose not to do this, then you are making a statement about the reality of biblical text and water down the intended message.

Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in any of it, but saying that salvation is true, but creation isn't, is similar to reading mien kamph and stating that you live by the nicer parts, but disavow the ethnic cleansing.

Answer 4

I know it's rude to answer a question with a question, but so be it. You accept that list as valid and I respect the list and the people who signed it.

So how come no one, and I mean not one person I have encountered at YA R&S, who believes in evolution is willing to respect the huge list of scientists (yes, including biologists, tons), from top universties, who have signed an anti-evolution list?

The website is linked, at at that link you can find another huge list of physicians and surgeons who have signed on separately.

I suppose your high school teachers are honest, well-educated, morally superior people, while these scientists are morally reprehensible, illogical, irrational, dishonest, yadda, yadda, yadda. You see, it works both ways, but the respect is one way.

P.S. Oh, what a surprise! Thumbs down. LOL. Exactly my point made, thanks.

Answer 5

The majority of Christians (and other religions) are fairly liberal. They recognize that there are differing points of view on some theological questions, and they are willing to accommodate those and consider them fellow Christians. Some are even tolerant enough to accept other religions as spiritual brothers and sisters.
On the other extreme, there is no one fundamentalist Christian group, there are many, and a defining characteristic is that each considers themselves to be the only true Christians. The same is true of Muslims. I've heard from those that reach across the divides, and those that blast other sects as infidels.

Answer 6

Creationism and Intellegent Design is about to become a reality in 10 years when scientists manufacture a cellular life form artificially.

This, if done as they claim, will establish that life is know to come from creation. Evolution will still be theory.

Answer 7

I don't oppose science and I am a Christian. I have a college degree in Electronics engineering. Lot of science involved there. I am also a liscensed Airplane mechanic. Lot's of science involved with that. Both evolution and creation do not have enough evidence to support them as being 100% true. It is my opinion that we should not teach evolution or creation in schools.

Answer 8

In this particular case of Creationism vs. Science (Evolution)....I would say that teaching Creationism is to acknowledge the Truth in the Word of God of whom they owe their allegiance and life to. So, to be perfectly blunt with you.......you're either a True Christian or you're not!. The so called "Christians" of whom you speak of may be sincere, but they are sincerely wrong!.....They are NOT serving God in heaven, but have been influenced by, and are unwittingly serving Satan, who is the ultimate master of deception and the "god of this age". This is the cold hard truth!.......Edit...The Truth hurts! Doesn't it?!

Answer 9

it is kind of funny i guess because here lately there have been more scientific evidence pointing toward creation and not evolution. actually i stopped believing in evolution in college because the more i learned about it and all the gaps in their theory, the more stupid it sounded. then you have all of these atheist who always sound so condensending to everybody who doesn't have the same beliefs as them, but has the same rights to believe to what they want to believe. there are 100s of animal species that also disproves evolution , just go to explorationfims.com. there however is adaptation to the changing enviroment, which i believe is part of our creation because how convinient is that by just chance that we can adapt to changing enviroment.

READ "THE SOURCE" OR "CASE FOR A CREATOR" WHICH ARE SCIENTIST THAT ARE FORMER ATHEIST THAT TRIED TO DISPROVE THERE WASN'T A GOD OR CREATION AND ENDED UP FINDING EVIDENCE THAT THEY DO AND THERE ARE NO GAPS AS IN THE SCIENTIFIC THEORIES ON EVOLUTION.

Answer 10

Who says that creationism is opposed to science? The difference here is that some take a literal view of the Scriptures and some see it as an allegory. If you read the Bible literally and believe that it is God's Word Creationists make alot more sense