How is evolution a religion?

Question

I keep seeing questions refering to evolution in public schools, and how if evolution is allowed in public schools, then Christianity should be taught as well. Honestly, how are the two concepts comparible? Like, at all?

Answer 1

It isn't.

People wrongly assume that it involves "belief". They either don't understand it or don't want to accept it, so they claim that it's a story cooked up by secular scientists who are out to undermine religion and God, and that there's "no evidence". Again, they either don't understand the evidence or are deluding themselves into ignoring it, so they shout as loudly as possible "evolution requires belief... and that makes it a religion!"

Even if evolution DID require belief (which it doesn't if you truly understand it), that wouldn't automatically qualify it as a religion. Belief alone does not a religion make.

Answer 2

evolution is not a religion, but it also is not scientific fact. It is a scientific theory. Some scientists took what they know about science and made their best guess at how the world got to be the way it is today. Yes, they based their theory on observable data, but ultimately the conclusion they come to has to be accepted on FAITH. There is no one alive today that has witnessed creation or evolution, and so either view ultimately must be held by faith.

I would like to point out that one huge problem I have with evolution being taught in public schools is that children are taught this THEORY as though it is proven FACT, which it's not. No scientist can prove evolution. Indeed, some scientists look at the same data and come to very different conclusions. It all depends on the underlying beliefs and worldviews that shape the way we look at everything.

If one of the goals of education is to get people to think for themselves instead of just believing whatever they are told, why are children not presented with the evidence, told the various theories that other have come up with, and left to decide for themselves, instead of being taught only one viewpoint and one interpretation of the facts?

Also, when you really get into it there are huge gaps in the evidence evolutionists use to support their theories. Where are the missing links?

Since evolution is a theory held in faith, and creationism is a theory held in faith, why should they not both be taught?

Answer 3

They are not. I'm not a religious person but in my opinion evolution is not incompatible with a belief in a supreme being, along with the rest of science, it just explains the how not the why. I don't believe in Christianity or any other religion really.
The issue seems to be teaching alternative views of how the world came to be. I feel religion is a personal issue and should not be imposed in schools. If Christianity's version of how the world came to be is offered as an alternative opinion, why not the Australian Aborigines versions of how the world came to be? Or the Inuits? Or Islam or Judaism (though theirs are quite similar to Christianity)? Or Hinduism? Why should it be just two: evolution and Christianity?
Evolution is not a religion, some people are just trying to cloud the issue and make them the same thing.

Answer 4

Evolution is NOT A RELIGION. Christianity is a religion. They are very different from each other. One uses science and christianity does not.

Evolution is how mankind has evolved into its present state and how it gets better or worse all the time. Christianity simply states that god made mankind, end of story.

If you teach christianity in public schools, then you should also teach Islam, Buddhism, the Jewish faith etc. Churches should be the teachers of their religious beliefs, not public schools. I pay taxes for public schools, your church does not have to pay taxes and have all the believers they need [unpaid usually] to teach the believers their beliefs, whereupon my tax dollars go to pay teachers their salaries.

Answer 5

The two concepts aren't comparable. Christianity is a religious belief. The theory of Evolution is a scientific truth. Unlike the foundations of Christianity, Evolution has been observed in labs and are traceable in nature.. in other words, it's PROVEN. Christianity, as with other religious beliefs are just that unprovable BELIEFS.

Answer 6

I dont think people understand that evolution is essentially a proven fact.

they seem to be under the mistaken impression that darwin came up with it and we just all accepted it end of story.

They don't seem to realise that thousands of scientists all over the world research, study and come up with evidence after evidence for evolution and not just in evolutionary biology.

if evolution really were as controversial as some people seem to think - the biggest conspiracy known to man is going on. Last time I checked conspiracies don't work that way - literally thousands of people from many different countries all just going along with it? Does that *really* sound likely?

Also as far as I'm aware none of the big anti evolutionists are actually or ever have been involved in the field of evoluntionary biology.

Answer 7

The Theory of Evolution is a Science. Christianity, like all Religions, is a Cult that believes in Supernatural Deities.

Answer 8

Evolution isn't a religion. It is a scientific explanation based on logic and research.

Religion is an escapist fantasy for people in economically developed countries, and a channel for desperate hope for those who can longer help themselves elsewhere.

it is also the cause of much suffering and misery.

PS - you can reason with a scientist - you cannot even begin to communicate with a religious fanatic- before you know it, they will be looking at you piously and telling you that 'God will find you one day and forgive you for doubting him' What utter bollox.

Answer 9

They're not. It really is that simple. I would not want a Christian teaching about creationism taught to my child unless you included all other religions in a 'diversity course' but NOT in the science classroom. It's ridiculous! Hey, saw you live in VT, me too!

oldguy: I still think creationism belongs in a diversity class along with other religious ideologies about how the earth came about. It is belief not science. Actually, my stepson took a course like this in his public school and got a lot out of it. He seems to be leaning towards atheism but he's still intrigued. They did not teach this in a science class and I would have been angry had they done so. I think teaching diversity is important to heal rifts.

Answer 10

You see evolution is an idea that Christians have trouble meshing with reality.

Christianity is also an idea that Christians have trouble meshing with reality.

...so both should be taught in schools to help Christians understand concepts they seem not to.