I consider myself a pretty decent Christian - I am not one of the best but do what I can do to lead a Christian life. I also know, based on facts, that evolution is not a theory but a fact. I believe that God had a hand in evolution some how - maybe by starting the big bang (for example). Does this make me a bad Christian or just enlightened :o)
2007-09-26 04:55:40 · 31 answers · asked by Go Bears! 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
sure.
many Christians were persecuted in the past by other Christians for suggesting that the earth was not the center of the universe and that the globe went around the sun because this conflicted with the accepted dogma of the day. over the course of a few centuries, science won this fight and the dogma was changed or discarded.
in another 100 years or so, i would be willing to bet that 90% of all Christians will believe in evolution, just like 99% now believe all those things that medieval Christianity rejected. science almost always triumphs over religion, it just takes awhile for the average person to accept what the experts already know.
2007-09-26 05:00:45 · answer #1 · answered by Free Radical 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am a follower of Christ also and I think evolution probably happened. And I agree that God designed evolution if it did happen. But, all evolution is not proven, much of it is theory, even the evolutionary scientists will tell you that. Not only is it a theory, it is a developing and changing theory. Some kinds of evolution are fact based and can be proven, but the evolution of man from a single celled animal is very much a theory.
Back to your question, I believe that if you want to be a "good christian" you should "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." I don't think being a Christian is all about what you believe, but more about what you do and who you are on the inside.
2007-09-26 12:05:37 · answer #2 · answered by cowabunga 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can. Christians who get too wrapped up in the details of the genesis account lose sight of the point of the story. It is not, and was never meant to be, an accurate description of what happened. It is an accurate description of the relationship between God, creation, and man.
All stories are told within the reference framework of the audience. To tell a mesopotamian wheat farmer of 5000 years ago about oribital mechanics, interstellar cosmology, paleontology, etc, would have boggled his mind and left no room for the important part of the message: the relationship between God, creation, and man.
It is an indictment against our education system today that so many Christians feel more comfortable working in the framework of reference of a bronze age peasant than they do that of a 21st century engineering major.
Further, by denying evolution, fundamentalists deny themselves one of the true joys of creation, for in the brushstrokes of the painting, you begin to see into the mind of the artist.
Hinds feet: Who said that God had no hand in evolution? The only ones making that ridiculous claim are atheists and creationists.
2007-09-26 12:06:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
A day of creation in the eyes of God could be thousands or millions of years. Who are we to judge how time is seen by gods eyes.
Also there are references to creatures outside the Garden of Eden. These could easily be the early large mammals of pre-historic time.
And lastly (and more controversially), if the bible was written by man from words passed down, who are we to assume that Adam and Eve were perfectly formed humans that looked exactly like we do today? It could make sense that Adam and Eve were earlier un-adapted forms of neandrathal man.
Evolution, and more importantly adaption, are facts. And no matter how angry some christians may get about this fact or how often they try to dispute it, it does not in any way go against what the bible says.
All of gods creatures were and are perfect in His eyes.
And I am not even a christian.
You can believe in these facts and still be a great Christian, just be prepared to be persecuted slightly by some of your fellow more uneducated Christians about your heretical beliefs.
2007-09-26 12:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how your belief on evolution affect your Christianity. Being a Christian is about living your life for Christ. It's about believing in Him, trusting in Him, obeying Him, and loving others the way He loves you.
There are SO MANY differing views on various subjects in Christianity (just read these posts for examples) that if any of us thinks we have it all right, we are the most wrong of everyone!
So don't worry about whether or not you are a "good" Christian because of what you believe about how something happened long ago just so long as you continue to believe in Christ and try to live for His glory!
And for the record... I also think God created evolution (though I don't think the scientists have it all right yet - but they are getting close) and I believe the Bible supports evolution when read without pre-canned understanding. But then again, that's just my belief and, as I said, I could be wrong!!
Be blessed!
2007-09-26 12:03:48 · answer #5 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You cant be a good scientist and know that evolution is a fact because it just isnt supported as a fact yet.
lol thumbs down for stating a fact
a good scientist is open to the flaw of a theory and is either trying to prove the theory right because they believe it is right or understand that it might be wrong and look at other possibilities. If a scientist said something was a fact when it wasnt, how would that make him or her a good scientist???? I think some people hold onto the theory of evolution as tightly as they claim the religious hold onto a belief in God. They have this incredible faith over something that isnt proven to be true, yet they mock those that believe in God. You might believe that evolution is the best theory we have scientifically right now, but if you belief it is the only way it happened a definite fact, then you are closing your eyes to the flaws and the scientific reasoning that there can be other possibilities and we dont know everything yet about this world or science.
2007-09-26 12:01:31 · answer #6 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
You "know" this for a fact because scientists have told you it is a fact, and it seems to make sense and passes all the tests that scientists throw at it. So, on current thinking, evolution is considered to be a "fact". Time will tell if the next generation of scientist agrees, as history has shown that science has changed it's views on "facts" throughout history. I don't see how agreeing to this makes you a bad christian. I don't agree that this belief makes you enlightened either. Not unless you have studied the proofs yourself, personally, and came to the same conclusion.
2007-09-26 12:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by fakesham43 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
YES yes yes yes yes!!!
NO you are not a bad Christian.
Okay, I know lots of people will disagree, but, most Christians are not idiots. So, it leads down a path that, if you agree evolution is fact, then Genesis is metaphorical.
So what, I ask?
A LOT of the Bible is poetic and metaphor. A lot of it is literal history. Some is a bit of both.
Good luck and regards
2007-09-26 12:39:13 · answer #8 · answered by Green is my Favorite Color 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as dr. hovind says:
God reveals to us in his word that he is the creator of all things, and to the surprise of some, sound scientific analysis has always supported this fact. The evidence that all that exists is a result of creation is overwhelming, while the idea that everything is somehow a result of chance has absolutely no real scientific support.
Evolution seeks to find an alternative to the fact that God is the creator. Although it attempts to use science to validate its claims, under honest examination science reveals evolution to be both implausible and impossible, and exposes that evolution does not even meet the most basic criteria to be considered a viable theory.
visit this website: http://www.libertymbc.net/creation/
2007-09-26 13:32:10 · answer #9 · answered by Jesusfreak 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, even the scientists will say the theory is still just that: theory. Until the missing link is found, it's not a fact. Nevertheless, believing in science is not contradictory to faith. Whether G-d created the world in seven 24-hour days or some extended period, our faith increases with our understanding of the world's natural workings. It makes no difference to me if women were sculpted from a rib; if I were "sculpted from clay" or if my ancestors learned to walk upright and shave. G-d set the world in motion; we learned to explain it in a simple way.
2007-09-26 12:03:53 · answer #10 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋