Why do atheists consider evolution a scientific LAW when it is in fact only a THEORY?

Question

How do you justify evolution to disprove Christians? I will probably post a follow up next week with my other questions based on the responses

Answer 1

Well I see that some people don't understand your question. You did not say that you think evolultion is a law. You said it is a theory, yet some consider it a law. Yes, many people treat it as a law even though it is a theory.
My issue with evolution is this... How does it occur at the molecular level? To see a change in us we need to have a correpsonding change in our genes. Say, for instance, that we have a mutation that leads to a beneficial change. How can this pass on to the next generation? Well it must occur in the sex cells (gametes). We will use the male as an example. Now when a man impregnates a female, he realeases millions of sperm cells. To pass a favorable mutation on to the next generation, the favorable mutation must be in a gene in that one sperm cell (out of millions remember) that penetrates the egg and fertilizes it. The baby would then carry that gene and could pass it on to succeeding generations. Look at it on a more global perspective. This one individual has just inherited a beneficial mutation that is going to change mankind for the better. One person. Keep this in mind. This person has children. Thus, he passes on the gene. Then those children grow up and have children. Thus passing on the gene. And this occurs for "millions" of years. There is not sufficient proof that we have been around for such an extended period of time. But that is not my point. Here I am assuming millions of years. You would have to agree that this benefial mutation originated from one person. What are the chances of this same beneficial mutation occuring in the same gene of other people? Slim to none. Yes there are regions of DNA that are thought to be more susceptible to mutations, but let's be realistic here.
Now let's take a look at Adam and Eve. People wonder how could two people populate the earth. Well, how could one person have a mutation that benefited society as we know it today? Both are equal in probability. It is the same concept in each.
Evolution is, and always will, be a theory and not a scientific law. As long as there are plausible explanations to deny it's validity, then it must remain a theory. Looking at it from the molecular point of view, rather than a macromolecular perspective, makes evolution look even more unlikely.

Answer 2

First of all, let me say that it is a massive insult to insinuate that the work of countless brilliant scientists is done simply to disprove Christians. Scientists have questions, and they try to find solutions in the real world. The majority of working scientists don't give Christians a second thought, so get off your high horse.

Secondly, you need to understand the definition of "theory" according to the scientific method. The term "only a theory" always gets to me. EVERYTHING in science is a theory. The thing about scientific theories, however, is that they are supported by experiments and evidence from the real world. The other great thing about scientific theories is that scientists will discard them at a moment's notice the instant that CONVINCING evidence appears to discredit them.

A theory becomes generally accepted based on the amount of evidence that is consistent with it, and, more importantly, based on its ability to make predictions about the real world that turn out to be true. For instance, there was the breakthrough Germ theory. Turns out it wasn't the Devil or God or other spirits making people sick, it's little bugs we can't see. According to that theory, we should be able to find chemicals to kill these little bugs and make people better. Also, we can prevent people from contacting them, and then people will not get sick as much. I don't see you arguing with that theory. But still, it is, technically, "just a theory." If you want to argue with it because it's not in the bible, I suggest refusing antibiotics because they're just a theory.

Conversely, according to science, the bible is NOT a theory. There is no evidence. Bible believers hold up the bible as fact not because of any evidence, but because they just assume it's true. We can assume anything is true. I can assume that the Greek myths are true. Does that make it true? No. Please, please, do yourself a favor and educate yourself about logic, reason, and the scientific method. Thank you.

Answer 3

Evolution is THEORY. You should be asking why people consider religion LAW "when it is in fact only a THEORY". Seriously, even Christians, Catholics and the like can't agree. That's why there are so many different teachings. Anglican churches, Mormans, Jehovas' Witnesses, Judo-christians, Prespeterian, etc.
I don't want to justify evolution and i have no intention of disproving christians. Honestly, what people believe is only a problem when it stops people from living their lives.
How about we just say that God created the Big Bang in 6 days and then he rested? Would that help?

Answer 4

Nobody considers it a law. But it IS a _fact_. Several tons of evidence give weight to the (scientific) theory of evolution, it isn't just conjecture or the "next best idea" to creationism, it's based on examining evidence.

Evolution is justifiable simply because it's based in reality on very real evidence. I don't use it to disprove Christians, for the most part the only thing it could be used to disprove is Genesis. considering there's absolutely zero evidence to back up Genesis and contradictions in itself it already disproves itself. Additionally, one would require belief in their god to even consider their creation myth to be reality.

Answer 5

Try asking this question in R&S. A theory is a hypothesis that has been proven through varied and extensive scientific studies. It may not be exactly what happened, but I say it comes pretty damn close. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Who's to say God didn't create something that evolved into the world as we know it today. There are numerous examples throughout history where people have made discoveries that changed human existence drastically. Couldn't this be characterized as evolution as well?

Answer 6

Well creation or evolution both are theories not facts. The point is for evolution there are few considerable evidence are there but for creation there is non. Evolution is questioned by many and changes with new findings but creation does not since there is no one to dig it up and change it. And its not a subject which is open for changes too.

But both of these does not make christianity disaprove. Coz its not only creation. There is much for to a religion.

Answer 7

I don't understand it either, while some are denying it here, it is very common for many scientists and atheists to discuss it as if it is law as well as say it's a fact. But the truth is it is just a theory and yet many accept it as law and some places even teach it as law rather than theory. I imagine it's because if they considered it a theory they might have to consider they might actually be wrong.... Perish the thought!

Answer 8

Probably for the same reasons Creationists believe the stories in a book written by men to control other men with no tangible proof is a fact.

Answer 9

Scientific Law has nothing to do with religion. Its been a proven fact that plants and animals have evolved over a few millions years. This has been backed up with fossils, dna and other scientific data. However, it is still classified as a theory. Science and religion are really two different things.

Answer 10

Evolution IS a theory. Who told you it was a law?

EVOLUTION: Theory in biology postulating that the various types of plants, animals, and other living things on Earth have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations. The theory of evolution is one of the fundamental keystones of modern biological theory.