Do you find it odd that anti-evolutionists DON'T study evolution?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlcqQIeLt6K2TZZu_CB9w_bd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20070927192637AA0l1gx

I'm not suggesting the guy who asked that question denies evolution. I have no idea what he believes. I just thought this was the next logical question to ask.

And don't tell me they do. I know better. No one who actually studied evolution would come up with bad analogies like tornados making airplanes out of scrap yards.

Answer 1

Yes I do find that odd. Every time I see a question where someone is trying to debate against evolution and they give some dumb reason why evolution can't be possible ("if we evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?") I always put in my answer that perhaps it would be helpful to actually learn a little something about what's they're trying to argue against. If they did the tiniest bit of research, they would see that their arguments mean nothing because they're arguing against what isn't even true about the theory of evolution. If you're preparing for a debate in school do you just go in with your preconceived notions and use them as a basis for your argument or do you actually do some research? It's the same thing here. You just wind up sounding like and idiot or an ignorant person when you so obviously don't know what you're talking about.

Here's a link to a question that fits into this:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Atz3NkXwanbPNwRgTjO995Hty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070921174333AAPIQTZ&show=7#profile-info-Zk6TOuD1aa

Answer 2

I have studied evolution but I admit only partially. Yet as you can tell by my answers I am not an anti-evolutionists.

The last time I was taught about evolution was in a High School biology class. I took biology in college but it was focused on genetics and only covered evolution as it needed to. Then also in college I took a Physical Class that presumed an ancient Earth but rarely talk about evolution since it was more of a geology and astronomy class.

I have, however, spent some time on talkorigins and other evolution sights to learn more about what I am ignorant on. I have also engaged scientist and some friends who were biology majors about different aspects of evolution.

Answer 3

Religious believers refuse to accept evolution. Evolution is difficult to believe because it takes place so slowly. When I get in arguments about evolution and the other party asks for proof, I use examples of germs developing resistance to medicines such as gonorrhea developing resistance to penicillin.
What I try to get across is that if we are lucky, we only live 5 generations and evolution takes place over thousands of generations and not four or five.
Remember a lie will go around the world three times in less time than the truth can go across the street.

Answer 4

Let's put it this way. I've studied evolution inside and out. It takes faith to swallow all that stuff about two molecules getting together and creating life, then changing and changing and changing until voila! man. I've also studied the Bible inside and out. It takes a lot of faith to swallow all that stuff about God creating the Earth in only 6 days and all that. Both are theories that can be proved to some degree by science but ultimately must be accepted by faith because there is not enough evidence to prove that either one is fact.

So, why do I choose to believe in Creationism? Because it's not empty like evolution is. If we were created by chance by a bunch of random events over billions of years, then what is the purpose of life? Why do we live? To procreate and die? Is that all there is? Emptiness? Futility? On the other hand, if we were created by someone, then there is a purpose for us being here. The fact that we have a purpose means that we can find that purpose and fulfill it. It gives us a reason to live, a meaning to our existence. Even if I didn't believe in an eternal reward afterwards, finding fulfillment and meaning to life and knowing that I was lovingly created is enough for me.

Answer 5

The atheist, game playing, military part of me says that it's very odd that anti's don't study it. But then in the back of my mind is a still small voice that says "you only need faith, you can ignore everything else."

I'd say that most are willing to just accept the supposed work that Dr. Dino or other liar did, rather than do their own research.

Answer 6

I think there are three classes of "anti-evolutionists."

1) Those who just don't get it because they're just to darn stupid to understand anything. (These are the ones who don't study.... anything!)

2) Those who get it but see it as a threat to what they believe and so they deny bits and pieces of evolution just to keep an argument up. (These are the ones who study a little and understand.)

3) Those who get it but won't tell because they are so desperate to see Creation taught in public schools that they have invented ideas like "Intelligent design" and Creation Science." (These guys know the truth of evolution and are trying to undermine it so they can stay in business.)

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Answer 7

I don't believe in astrology, and I wouldn't waste my time studying it. The same could be said for alchemy.

Evolution is not based on scientific observation. If it were, it would have been discovered hundreds, if not thousands of years ago. Rather, evolution is a rationalist explanation for our existence. If you chose to rule out creation by a Creator, evolution is the best idea that anyone has come up with.

Trying to make evolution scientific consists of promoting anything that confirms it, and denying anything that disproves it. That is not how science works.

Answer 8

The analogy you mentioned is more about life "forming" without being a thoughtful creation, but just a product of unthinking natural forces.... and about how unlikely that is (in fact, it's near as impossible).

It's not so much about evolution, but about an atheistic world view of the origin of life, that includes evolution. Evolution is just the ability of organisms to grow and change / adapt over time. It's not about the actual ORIGINS of life, and many people get those things mixed up.

Answer 9

Well, actually, no: most of the anti-evolutionists are theists, very often Christians: they're told to stay far, far away from everything except for their narrow little window of beliefs; if they stray or so much as glance in the direction of another way of thinking, they'll burn in hell forever.

So it's not like a rational conclusion to study something to discover whether it might be true is going to occur to a Christian.

Answer 10

I don't find it odd at all. It's willful ignorance. Would a four year old want to study something that could disprove Santa if it would mean no Christmas presents?