i dont know what to think?

Question

ok. im in college and im taking a class on evolution because i wanted to understand what it was. as a christian baptist i felt that if i understood other views better than i could understand why people chose to believe in other religions or views. so anyways, im more confused than ever! besides the fact that my teacher constantly critisizes the bible, she has some good points (which it kills me to say). monkeys are very much like ourselves! she showed us videos and stuff and it's all soooo convincing. how do i stay strong in my religion and get past what i learned? i dont want to pretend that she's completely wrong because i dont think she is. i dont think she's right either. there has to be a middle ground. can anyone help me figure this out (preferably someone who has knowledge in human evolution). thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

1. Don't stand for a "middle ground." Truth is truth. You must follow the truth wherever it leads.

2. Examine ALL of the evidence. Read the evidence for creationism presented in books like "Case for a Creator" and "The Answers Book." Look at the whole picture, not just what your teacher presents.

3. Trust God and trust His Word. Science is changed constantly - God and His Word are eternal. Jesus says that not one word of the Bible will be erased. Trust in Him and in His promises.

Answer 2

Do you know why you are confused? It is because you are being forced to examine your beliefs. You have been told since you were young that what the bible says is true and since you never had reason to question those beliefs, you never have. Never questioning why you believe a certain way is a bad thing. What if none of us had ever questioned the ideology of the Hitler and Nazi Germany? My point being, that if your beliefs are correct, they will be able to stand up to questioning and scrutiny. If they cannot, then maybe you shouldn't believe them. The Bible might be the word of God, but it was written by man and with man being imperfect, the bible has to have imperfections as well. When is the last time that man has created something perfect? Never. Perfection is something we strive for but can never achieve. Just like science, the Bible can have mistakes, the only difference is that science will admit those mistakes and adapt. I would think the decision quite easy to make in the long run, but if could be mistaken. My only advice is to question, question, question. God does not disapprove of questioning, correct? He made us imperfect correct? I am sure that he would over look these flaws in our character, since he made us this way.

Answer 3

Wow... that's a toughy... You kinda threw yourself into the lion's den there :-)

I am not an expert in human evolution, because really no one is, but let me give you these two points of advice...

1. Remember that evolution was and is an alternative theory to Creation. It was offered as "some other way" that earth and humans "might" have come around. Evolutionists today are striving to "prove" evolution to be true because it is the only feasable alternative to God. Don't forget that there are no FACTS about evolution, only theories and maybies. If evolutionists were ever to give up (many of them already have, realizing the failure of their cause), they would practically be admitting that there is a God, so they are very passionate about "proving" something to be true that has zero evidence.

2. Think about the fact that Man and Monkeys were created by the same person. You find many similarities between an artists works and a writers books, and that is because they are done by the same creator :-) Also, please do not forget that there is no solid proof of any of the claims they make, and most, if not all, of the so called "transitional animals" have been proven to be hoaxes. They will stop at nothing to make you doubt...

I feel very sorry for you having to go through all of this... I know that if you can hold out through the end, you will be stronger for it... but don't just give in because their arguments seem strong... do some research for yourself! Check out some Creation Research people, maybe like Ken Hovind (I wouldn't follow everything he believes, but he makes very intellectual and scientifically accurate observations when it comes to creation/evolution), and REMEMBER... evolutionists are trying to convince themselves as well as you, so they will say just about anything!

Answer 4

Evolution has been proved to be a scientific fact. The Theory of evolution tries to explain the process behind it.

You need to accept this because failing to do so is just living in denial. There is no middle ground here. The experts who study human evolution know that it is true.

It does not matter if you believe that you can fly, you are still going to hit the ground hard if you jump off a tall building. Faith can not move a mountain, nor can it change reality.

How you reconcile your religious beliefs after you accept the facts of evolution, the age of the universe, etc. is up to you. Personally it makes me think that religion is just a load of snake-oil being hawked by some rather unscrupulous characters. But other people seem to be able to resolve the dichotomy.

Answer 5

There is only Truth, and lies in this case. Either you believe in God, and what His Holy Word says, or you don't. satan always tries to deceive you. he is very good at it. But, you must stand firm in your faith, and God will show you what you need to know.
So what if monkeys are very much like us. they are also very much different than us, in other ways. The same CREATOR made us, didn't He? Doesn't it make sense that some things would be similar? God put man above all animals. To think that we are animals, means we don't believe what God says.
Are you still reading God's Word as well? Or are you mainly just studying on evolution? It sounds like satan is pulling at you, and he will do that to all Christians, especially if they are having doubts about their faith. Remember to put on the "full armor of God" when you study these things. They have a way of seeping into your brain and catching you "unaware" Jesus said "Keep watch, and pray"
The Bible tells us the devil prowls around like a hungry lion, waiting to devour. If he sees your faith is slipping, he will jump right in there. If you believe in God, you must believe what He tells us about creation. You cannot serve 2 masters. You can't believe in creation and evolution, regardless of what some may tell you about this. If you believe in evolution, you are REJECTING God's Word. Please stay in the Word! Your teacher is just a person. They can be wrong, too! And many, many are! I will pray that you always seek the Truth. Ask God to help you with this. He will show you the Way. God Bless

Answer 6

A scientist can only give you their theory. Nothing they say is an absolute fact. Remember they are human? The knowledge they give you will just be their opinion. There are many questions we have that we don't have answers to and that's OK. Just find that peace inside that God gives you to understand that in life you will hear many different things about what to believe. Let God show you. He's going to give you what you need to know and do the best you can with that. Follow what is in your heart. The most important thing to remember is that you have a purpose and everyone has a different direction but we all end up with the same reason for being here and to me that is the greatest lesson to learn which is love. We are all different, that's OK too. Be respectful to those that have their beliefs but chose your way not somebody else's way. Ask God to show you guidance and the wisdom to see it. I don't belong to a religion. I'm not sure if anyone else believes like I do but God has always been in my life and I know that if you ask, He will answer. You have to look and listen. Take care.

Answer 7

It sounds to me like you're bumping up against your own doubts about the doctrine you've adopted to this point in your life, and when we find that our beliefs are not quite as firm as we may have thought, when we question as you are, or when we cannot deny the truth in other perspectives, our world gets shaken up a bit (in your case, confusion). You cannot get past what you have learned -- that's the nature of learning. You now need to use your head and embrace your newfound awareness. You may indeed find that this confusion will remain for some time as you mature and learn more about the diversity of perspectives. There is tremendous richness and freedom in recognizing where our beliefs are rooted in doctrine, although initially this can be quite disconcerting...that in itself is evolution (of thought). Check out the website or magazine "What Is Enlightenment?" Lots of food for thought and some very realistic and respectful perspectives on the dynamic tensions between religious doctrine and established scientific "facts". All the best on this journey of discovery!

Answer 8

Here's how I see it, plain and simple. The bible and its answers were created to satisfy mankind's questioning in ancient times. Not only that, it was an ideal way to control people. When most think of the bible and religion as controlling, it always comes off as negative, but imagine if we didn't set rules and regulations for ourselfs, with severe consequences in the afterlife... we'd be savage barbarians, doing what we please with no remorse.

Then, scientists and intelligence came, and answered those same questions more accurately. The Bible, one book, well two I guess, could not and will never answer every question.

Perhaps, look at both science and religion in the same light. Take the Big Bang theory and Genesis in the Bible. Why can't the two ideas be the very same, just in two different perspectives? Another thing, take evolution and God's creation of man. Why couldn't those two things be the very same as well? God may have spent millions of years creating mankind before he was finally satisfied, thus creating the first, Adam. So, in the eyes of Christians as well as Scientists, everything believed in Religion can be juxtaposed for Science as well.

It takes just as much faith to believe in Religion as it does Science, its just one is a spiritual truth, and the other is a physical truth.

Hope this helped.

Answer 9

Sorry you are confused. Go to Genesis 1 and 2 and reread it..

God created beast and but formed man on the same day.. that blows the theory of evolution right out the water. God formed man of the dust of the ground and breath life into him.
I hope this helps..

Answer 10

The Bible is the word of God. When you take philosophy, science, or any other course for that matter you should be open to hear stuff, but guarded too.
Evolution is a THEORY. It is not absolute Truth. The Holy Bible is ABOLUTE TRUTH. Yes, I know people argue this too. I believe that evolution takes place within a species, but one doesn't develop from another...that is proven. Actually, there are more studies today that show that the theory of evolution from ape to man is not likely. So, do some more research on the subject. Read the book of Genesis. MAN was created...not ape.
Hope that helps.

Answer 11

I had a problem similar to yours when I was in my freshman year of college. The religion professor forced me to examine my faith, and I took what I thought was a stand against him and intentionally failed the class, with the full support of my family, because the class was causing me to question my faith. How stupid was I! Not only did it put a big fat F on my transcript, but I failed to realize that the only way we can learn is if someone forces us to think outside the box and teaches us to shed our preconceived notions. Now I'm agnostic, and most days actually lean more toward atheism. Was it because of the class? No, it was because I learned that thinking for yourself is never a bad thing, and the pursuit of knowledge should be our ultimate goal in this one life that we live.