What can scientists and science advocates do to educate creationists?

Question

The problem seems to grow and grow. When parents begin lobbying that religious beliefs be taught in science classrooms you have to admit the system is failing (has failed) somewhere. It also seems that these people have convinced themselves that creation is true and evolution is false. Not only this they display a fundamental misunderstanding of what evolution really is, lumping things like the big bang into the theory along with statements like "man came from monkeys." It also seems that they are mostly unwilling to accept an actual education on the subject.

How can we educate those who need it so badly?

Answer 1

I think that we still have to keep doing what we are doing. I teach introductory biology at the college level, and I try every day to present evolutionary theory as a set of testable hypotheses. Many students have said at the end of the semester that they didn't realize there was so much evidence, and thought it was this way when it really it this way, so there are minds still willing to listen...

But there are some that will never accept it as a scientific fact because it flies in the face of their faith.

I don't know how there are so many people who believe in god and are very christian and believe that the work of scientists is real and just think that evolution is the way god did it, and then you have those who just can't believe it. I don't think those kinds of close minded people can be reached from the outside, only their inner conflict between reason and common sense will get them to ask questions and maybe they will see the light...

Here is an alternative. Let's make it mandatory that oil companies and mining companies hire people with degrees in creation science. Then they use their creation science to find oil deposits. Or tell hospitals that they now must hire doctors in creation medicine, who have abandoned antibiotics and vaccines because of their associations with evolutionary theory and now will use only prayer.

I think that science education has really gone down the tubes in the last 30 years. But there are still pockets of reason. Make sure you raise your kids in those pockets.

Answer 2

Creationism (if you believe the Biblical account) espouses a supernatural being that created the world and universe and all that lies therein while evolution teaches a wholly natural cause for the beginnings of the universe and natural processes for life to have started and evolved into higher and higher life forms with no external supernatural intervention....the two are diametrically opposed, either one or the other is true and correct. Some believe that God used evolution in his creation method but Biblically, it doesn't hold water...Man was "made" on the sixth day of creation in Genesis in "God's image" --not evolved over millions of years of gradual processes from a common ancestor with apes.
Also, there is no observable scientific justification to believe that life can start on it's own, either here on earth or anywhere else in the universe, which totally shoots down the evolution theory on this planet from a starting point----if someone could start the life process in a lab, it would have been done by now and the creationist's would have to accept it but it hasn't because it's impossible to have 20 left-handed- only amino acids---which all living creatures have exclusively--- form in the presence OR absence of an oxygen atmosphere and formation in water is ruled out because of hydrolysis which breaks apart chemical bonds not joins them. The only logical alternative is there MUST have been a creator. God we know as Jesus would be my choice. Prove me wrong. Start life somehow from a chemical soup and lightning.

Answer 3

The number one thing is to battle the *LIE* that evolution=atheism. This is the thing that absolutely (and understandably) shuts people down from any discussion about evolution.

If someone has the idea that evolution is *fundamentally* the product of atheism ... an attack on God ... if it has been drilled into them since they were 4-years-old that "evolutionists all hate God" ... then they will (understandably) resist evolution with every fiber of their being. Logic is irrelevant; evidence is irrelevant ... if you believe that evolution="I hate God", then anything that even *hints* at making sense or sounding persuasive, must be the work of the devil himself.

If the person you are talking to thinks that evolution=atheism ... there is absolutely no point on discussing things further ... not until *that* hurdle is gone.

Answer 4

"The main backlash to evolution comes from the total disregard for God having a role in nature that has been tacked on."

maybe you didn't notice, but this criticism would apply to all modern scientific theories, not just evolution. no one complains about the godlessness of general relativity, so far as i know. some of the backlash is because religious people correctly think that evolution contradicts what they believe god has done: create man separate from animals, a few thousand years ago.

perhaps it is worth noting that evolution explains far more than the point that they contend with - it is not just humans that have evolved after all. if understanding nature is a worthy goal, then evolution is useful and can't be simply ignored. but make any serious attempt to educate them, and they will cry 'indoctrination'. if they just don't want to learn, it's not ethical to compel them - but if they insist on trying to spread their nonsense in public, that can certainly be challenged.

Answer 5

Creationism (in case you have self assurance the Biblical account) espouses a supernatural being that created the worldwide and universe and all that lies therein at the same time as evolution teaches a thoroughly organic reason for the beginnings of the universe and organic approaches for existence to have began and greater into larger and better existence types devoid of exterior supernatural intervention....the two are diametrically detrimental, the two one or the different is real and best. some have self assurance that God used evolution in his advent approach yet Biblically, it does not carry water...guy advance into "made" on the 6th day of advent in Genesis in "God's image" --no longer greater over hundreds of thousands of years of slow approaches from a uncomplicated ancestor with apes. additionally, there is not any observable scientific justification to have self assurance that existence can start up on this is very own, the two right here in the worldwide or everywhere else interior the universe, which completely shoots down the evolution thought on the earth from a commencing element----if somebody could start up the existence technique in a lab, it would have been achieved by now and the creationist's would could settle for it in spite of if it hasn't because of the fact this is impossible to have 20 left-surpassed- purely amino acids---which all residing creatures have solely--- variety interior the presence OR absence of an oxygen environment and formation in water is ruled out because of the fact of hydrolysis which breaks aside chemical bonds no longer joins them. the only logical option is there could have been a author. God all of us comprehend as Jesus would be my determination. instruct me incorrect. start up existence a technique or the different from a chemical soup and lightning.

Answer 6

Ah, I don't there theres is much to be done to change a creationists' point of view. As for what parents want for their children, they should let the education system teach the science, and they can teach the religion at home! Then the child can have a perspective on both sides and decide for themselves what they want to believe. I say focus on the younger generation as the older generation is of lost hope! =)

Answer 7

I don't really think you can.
Creationism is based on a literal interpretation of the Bible and is a faith based concept. Concepts based on faith are immune to scientific explanations and those that hold them tend to ignore evidence to the contrary, of which there is plenty.
In my view, all we can really do is try not to let them take over the school boards and by extension, the educational process. I have no problem with science teachers discussing the fact that creationism exists as a separate belief system, but it should not be taught as fact. To me, creationism is a religious view and has no place in our schools...that is what churches are for.

Answer 8

Don't forget that the message is unwelcome.

I suppose the problem boils down to a lack of interest in science throughout society. Any fix to this problem is going to be long and slow. How about mandating a good deal more real science in our public school curricula?

Answer 9

I would say that the best way to educate people about science is to stop attacking their religious beliefs in the process.

The main backlash to evolution comes from the total disregard for God having a role in nature that has been tacked on.

Their is a fundamental failure on both sides that comes from letting the most extreme fringes set the agenda.

Militant atheists and Fundamentalist Christians can't agree on anything but because they are the most vocal of minorities they get all the attention.

Evolution doesn't preclude a creator, Creationism doesn't invalidate evolution.

Answer 10

Alas, there's not much we can do. Dumb people want to, and will stay dumb.