The term 'atheist' is often used as shorthand for someone who subscribes to the theory of evolution as the explanation for variation across (and within) species. On average there is likely a very strong positive correlation between atheism and acceptance of the theory (probably very close to 100%) . However, the two are not synonymous and often rhetoric on this forum perpetuates this false dichotomy.
I'm curious if there are any atheists who do not subscribe to the theory of evolution as the best explanation for the the origin of mankind.
2007-10-04 10:26:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Leviathan - Your personal attacks of my questions and answers is tiresome. To be clear: In addition to three other degrees, I hold a BS in physics and conducted research in a variety of areas including medium energy particle physics (specifically atmospheric and space physics with special emphasis on the electrical conductivity of the stratosphere as well as micropulsations and magnetic impulsive events) and an MS in physics with emphasis on identifying a class of transition matrices to transform a set of relativistic assumptions under an ADM mass to a Komar mass as global properties within a system's definition. Thus, I am well aware of what a theory is in the context of scientific thought.
The question is a humanistic question regarding the beliefs of others and has nothing to do with my own beliefs, one way or another. Even so, I hate for people to presume something that is not explicit in a question; therefore I feel the need to correct you.
2007-10-04 10:51:46 · update #1
To be clear, simply because someone asks a question about others' beliefs does NOT mean that they either accept what they believe or reject what they do not. Some questions are just questions just as come cigars are just cigars.
2007-10-04 11:07:57 · update #2
oops... didn't edit my first detail correctly. It's supposed to say medium energy particle physics and atmospheric/space physics.
2007-10-04 11:09:12 · update #3
You must be a theist.
Regular people know that an atheist is simply NOT a term for people who 'subscribe to the theory (bet you dont know what that word means in science) of evolution' - after all most catholics accept evolution. Many other christians do as well. An atheist is a person who doesn't believe in any god or gods. I feel we have been clear on this point.
On the other hand no atheist would reject the facts. Because unless you have a better theory, then you'd have to listen to the standard explanation wouldn't you? The only people who refuse to understand the reality are the ones who think the bible is a magically truthful book and not a mere bronze-age fable made up by ignorant desert-dwellers.
2007-10-04 10:32:04 · answer #1 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I beleive in cosmic energies, cosmic minds, the world of ideas accessible with or without a universe in existence. Higher powers and many dimensions. Don't know if that makes me atheist, but I don't suscribe COMPLETELY to evolution. I think the spirit , in it's purest form, materialises. When "stuck" into matter, it can weaken, which >I think has happened to us.
But I don't think evol. is the full reson for our existence on this planet.
I suppose life forms change through time though, maybe not ALL of them.
Many have been shown an incapacity to change, like non-flowering plants to flowering....mathematically impossible, so....
2007-10-05 17:37:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may be nearly synonymous but not in meaning. An atheist simply has no belief in any gods. Evolution is a proven scientific theory, so they are two separate things.
I have heard a few atheist on Y!A say that they don't accept evolution, but they are a minority as best I can tell.
2007-10-04 17:32:28 · answer #3 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you should ask yourself, what are the alternatives. I think you will find that nearly 100% of those who do not belive in a divine creation accept evolution. How likely is an atheist to belive in divine creation?
2007-10-04 17:35:15 · answer #4 · answered by Herodotus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe this is not the answer that you are looking for, but many people think I'm an atheist when I say I believe in the theory of evolution. I am not an atheist, and being evolutionist doesn't imply me being an atheist as well
2007-10-04 17:33:05 · answer #5 · answered by larissa 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No probably not many, without faith guiding our reason, we usually see evolution for what it basically is, a fact, evolution is one of the most sound scientific concepts we have, ists right there with "the world is round and not flat"
2007-10-04 17:33:08 · answer #6 · answered by Seargent Gork 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure there are a few atheists who don't believe it. I'm NOT one of them. Unless a better theory supported by more evidence is made, I'm going to 'subscribe' to evolution.
2007-10-04 17:31:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
So you are saying that an atheist is supposedly going to buy into the whole creation crap?
I am not an atheist and i know evolution is fact.
2007-10-04 17:36:12 · answer #8 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't believe Evolution, but not because of any religious reasons. Maybe I don't count because I am not an atheist. But I don't personally see enough evidence to make me think that is how it works. It could work that way, but I don't feel we have enough to prove anything.
2007-10-04 17:33:54 · answer #9 · answered by Zaarix 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not aware of any atheists who also do not accept the theory of evolution, but I definitely know a lot of Christians (and other religions) who DO accept the theory of evolution.
Atheist definitely doesn't mean 'someone who accepts evolution' any more than it describes 'someone who accepts gravity'.
2007-10-04 17:32:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋