Evolution debate?

Question

I always wonder what people are talking about when they bring up the "evolution debate"...

What debate?

America is one of the most religiously conservative nations in the world... and 95% of our scientists (including Christians) believe evolution is good science.

Why then are we fighting its teaching in schools?

P.S. 95% is a real statistic - look it up if you don't believe it

icarus62... actually I think its around 0.1 to 0.2 percent (yes, less than 1%)

Answer 1

Follow the link below. The majority of Americans reject evolution. That is where the debate comes in.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/22/opinion/polls/main965223.shtml

icarus62 - I happen to hold multiple degree in Biology. I do not believe all organisms are related by common descent. Microevolution I am fine with. Macroevolution has never been proven and never will be.

To the poster below me. My degrees are from a state college. My university is not religious in the least. The evidence for macroevolution is purely circumstantial.

Answer 2

There are things that everyone should keep in mind on the battle between science and religon. First of all, these are both methods to finding a truth. Because the methods are so different, they tend to battle each other. Everyone should keep in mind, the whole,truth thing. How often does any one do so real serious research into what someone tells them, whether it be verbally or something you read? Humans tend to be very trusting, and beleive everything they read or hear. Read the bible, read some science journals, and come to your own conclusions. I did. I'm an atheist, through and through, and although I'm just a meesly undergrad, I am prepared to devote my entire life to science. And as far as evolution goes, to whoever said humans aren't evolving, read some scientific journals. Think about the fact that our pinkys are shrinking, and blonde hair is slowly fading out, amongst many other things. It's because liveing the way we do, few need those things anymore. I'm sure theres tons of other examples but those are the ones I'm most familar.

Answer 3

There is no *REAL* debate. The only people that try to "debate" it are a group of conservative Christians living in the U.S. There is no debate within the scientific community, or in the majority of other countries throughout the world.
What the conservative Christians are doing can't even be really called a "debate", because the majority of them don't know ANYTHING about the theory of evolution. It's simply them attacking the "evidence". I put "evidence" in quotes because they know nothing about the real evidence behind the theory of evolution, they don't even know the definition of the *word* "theory" in science. They make up false evidence, or twist the evidence until it's virtually unrecognizable, and then attack their own false claims about what the theory of evolution says. That's not "debate". It's nonsense. Look at the nonsense written by some of the posters above me... scientists are pretending to believe it because they're afraid of what people will think of them? Only priests can interpret the sacred writings of nature? (Instead of scientists) Both sides should be taught in school? (Let's not even get into the argument about which "creation" theory should we teach...there are thousands out there...) "Evolution is hype at best because it will not give the creationists a chance at fair play"--we give them plenty of chance at "fair play", we just ask that they provide ONE single scrap of evidence that creationism is anything other than a myth. One piece of legitimate evidence...that's all we ask. They can't do that. The day that they can will be the day that we will allow it to be taught in schools.
It literally makes you want to bang your head against the wall...

Answer 4

Evolution is a natural phenomenon. Anyone who knows how it is defined in Biological science may observe it occuring, and unless in possession of a mean or defficient intellect, should see that the phenomenon matches the definition. Those who "debate" it are of superstitious belief systems that are threatened by the correct explanation of the natural world.

One will notice that the percentage of religious people in the most populous industrialized countries is directly proportional to the amount of crime in that country. Conversely, the percentage of atheists or alternately, those who accept that evolution occurred and occurs, is inversely proportional to the amount of crimes in the same list of countries. While there is no study of causation, there is a strong correlation in each case. Anyone who wishes to view this, may do so on Google or Yahoo and observe the trends, themselves.

I would also like to point out that whoever said that "Evolution is a proved theory", please don't say stuff like that. Science does not deal in proof. Only mathematics does so. There is no such thing as a proven theory. Theories, as they explain natural phenomena, are held by science TENTATIVELY until when or if another explanation is accepted that provides a better explanation. Thus far, Evolutionary Theory (as opposed to evolution itself) correctly explains evolution, and the predictions that the theory puts forth are consistent with evidence and observations.

Answer 5

"You're talking about a very vocal and desperate minority who are lobbying against teaching evolution. They will never be able to accomplish what they're trying to do. Just ignore them."

this is a self defeating attitude. they will never change reality of course, but they can certainly muster enough political power to ensure that many people are kept ignorant of it. the worst thing you can do is ignore them, they are not stupid (in general!) and they are not powerless. well ok, maybe it's not the worst thing, but it's right up there :)

the standard talking point is that evolution is 'taught as fact when it is only a theory'. there are so many problems with this, it is hard to know where to begin. which is probably why such vapid slogans are used.

Answer 6

For most Christians, I think the fight starts with the notion that man evolving through an " ape" stage would be saying that God is an ape because the Bible says that God created man in his own image.

If they could recognize that what is meant by that biblical statement is that man is to ape as God is to man then it might make them more willing to consider the possibility.

There is actually a story in the Bible where microevolution was used to bless the man who became Israel. It is found in Genesis 30: 31 - 43. Add to that the fact that the bible states that God created man from the dust of the earth and it's a good place to start the discussion. Keep in mind of course that the earliest accounts in the Bible were traditions passed on from generation to generation before anyone thought to write it down and carry it with thm.

I only have to look at my own evolution and at the many species on the planet that evolve during the course of their lives and it seems to me that macroevolution makes complete sense. Of course, it helps that I know that the Bible says that all creation testifies that he is God. =)

Answer 7

It should sound as ridiculous as talking about the "gravitation debate...". "Teach the controversy" is absolute rubbish when there is no controversy. If you want to teach the controversy about evolution, why not teach the controversy about gravitation (as petitioned on the attached link)?

From what I have seen many critics of evolution do not even know what evolution is. They confuse it with how life started, and in some cases with how the universe started.

Answer 8

Also I'd wager that other 5% are either scientists who have nothing to do with biology or anything that evolution touches, OR

The people who get science degrees from Christian colleges like Liberty just so they can have the "credentials" and be opposed to evolution.

Answer 9

The reason that the" debate "even gets the time of day [which it shouldn't ] is simple ; The majority of Americans don't vote. The result is that a zealous,myopic minority of people who can get the vote out will get to establish what the political dialogue will be.

Answer 10

I believe the statistic, but it's kind of intellectually lazy to just throw out a number and say "look it up, biznatches."

How about you put in some additional info with a citation?

*EDIT*
Ocean says she'll take the time to listen, but doesn't allow people to email her. So I guess my proof of evolution will go unheard.

Answer 11

There is nothing to debate, aside from some of the details. Evolution is as real as gravity or the heliocentric solar system.