For Creationists, do you actually understand what evolution is and what it says?

Question

I would agree with this definition given by one of the most respected evolutionary biologists Douglas J. Futuyma in Evolutionary Biology, Sinauer Associates 1986 -
"In the broadest sense, evolution is merely change, and so is all-pervasive; galaxies, languages, and political systems all evolve. Biological evolution ... is change in the properties of populations of organisms that transcend the lifetime of a single individual. The ontogeny of an individual is not considered evolution; individual organisms do not evolve. The changes in populations that are considered evolutionary are those that are inheritable via the genetic material from one generation to the next. Biological evolution may be slight or substantial; it embraces everything from slight changes in the proportion of different alleles within a population (such as those determining blood types) to the successive alterations that led from the earliest protoorganism to snails, bees, giraffes, and dandelions."

Is this in line with your definition? Or did you make up your own that makes you feel threatened by the idea of evolution? I for one always believe that you should understand a subject before you attack it. What do you think?

Notice that evolution does not say that a monkey gave birth to a human?

Notice that evolution, even Darwinism, doesnt make any claims about the origin of life?

Yes, I have studied both sides. I listen to all the evidence that I can find to support ID or creationism. I even read "Darwins Black Box" and "Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science & Theology" and many other ID or creationist books. I have even read about Hopi creation myths and creation myths from many cultures across the globe. I do want to point out that I made no attacks on anyone's faith or ideas about life, all I asked was if you understand what is meant by evolution.

For the record, quoting the bible as evidence is circular logic.

On a personal note, I have not yet seen any evidence presented by a creationist or that supports ID that stands up to scrutiny, if you have information that you believe does, please email me from my profile page.

Answer 1

Evolve means something changes. It does not always mean it changes into something better. What species has evolved into a different species? Survival of the fittest means that mutations become extinct. That is why you will not see a species change so drastically--no natural animal will breed with a mutant--it's like high school. Attractive kids will not usually go out of their way to mate with or marry unattractive (to them) or different kids. That comes with maturity...and the human mind has character that can overlook physical ugliness. I see the South east Asians that have come to live in the US for a couple of generations now...the first to come were very small in stature. Their kids and now grand kids are bigger than their parents, and nearly as large as the mainstream Caucasian or African American kids. Is that evolution or a result of the nutritional benefits of the food we produce here...with steroids and all to make our produce and meats look more appealing? When the Spaniards came to Central America, they were bigger than the Aztecs and other natives there. Guess what? Most of those Spaniards were shorter than the average North American of European or African decent. Again, a result of nutritional improvements. So the yellow billed magpie is the same species as the black billed magpie...how can they exist at the same time? Location and diet are the only factors scientists have been able to figure out. Galapagos Islands...iguanas and turtles, birds, and insects are as different as there are islands there...how could they exist at the same time? Diet and location--imagine the adaptability of animals and the survival of the fittest factor so if you want to survive, you have to adapt to your location, and eat what you can find. If it happens to help you live longer, or cause you to have a different texture or color to your skin, etc. Is that evolution? When does a species emerge when one was not present before? If it doesn't happen with the birth of a viable mutant (which scientifically does not fit the survival of the fittest), how does it happen? Explain please.

Answer 2

Many People confuse evolution with natural selection. Evolution is when a single celled organism in the ocean over time turns into a human. Natural selection is when a species dies because of a number of factors.

Answer 3

If evolution were true, one would hope to see at least some transition from one kind of animal into another ocurring at the present. At the very least, there should be abundant evidence in the fossil record, since it's suppose to be millions of years old. That should be enough time to pile up some evidence!

Jonathan Sarfati's book Refuting Evolution 2 has great info:
www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/RE2/index.asp

Answer 4

I KNOW and dont just think evolution is a science made of man much like religions and its mans feeble attempt to explain away simple Truths which was given by a Creator to His creations............
Man always wants to know things so he does whatever to show he knows when in Fact it is wriitten " His ( Gods ) ways are past finding out " and His Word says this.......
"" Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without wisdom ?
Where wast thou when the I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who hath laid the measures thereof , if thou knowest ? or who hath stretched the line upon it ? Whereupon are the foundations thereof are fastened? or who laid the cornerstone thereof ? When the morning stars sang together , and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Or shut up the sea with doors , when it brake forth , as if it had issued out of a womb?
When i made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,And i brake it up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
and said , Hitherto shalt thou come , but no further ; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed ?
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days ; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it may take hold of the ends of the earth , that the wicked might be shaken out of it ?
It is turned as clay to seal;and they stand as a garment,
And from the wicked thier light is withholden , and the high arm shall be broken, Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea ? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee ? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death ?
Hast thou percieved the breadth of the earth ? declare if thou knowest it all? Where is the way where light dwelleth ? and as for darkness , where is the place thereof ?

Answer 5

even though most scientists are intelligent people, they are still people and not all THEORIES that man devise is correct- but truth comes from God 100% of the time. I believe that God created the heavens and the earth, and that man was/is created in His image. I am not saying you cannot have your opinion- but think of it this way- wouldn't you much rather think of yourself as special- how special to be thought of in the mind of God, and then created by intellectual design , rather evolving from whatever. You can have your thoughts, however, please let us believe the truth of God's Word. Believe you me, one day, everyone will know the truth.

Answer 6

If you believe that we just evolved from ancient protozoa, and there is no intellegent design involved in our creation, then you believe that humans serve a purpose similar to germs in the body of the Universe.

Answer 7

I'm not threatened by evolution. It is the biggest lie ever believed.
Have you ever studied the facts and science behind creation? Read Ken Hamm sometime, he's a scientist that took the time to study both evolution and creation and can show how true science actually provides far more undeniable evidence for creation than evolution.
but evolutionist don't want there to be a creator so they study only evolution. A true scientist who was interested in uncovering truth would study all options and aspects of a subject before drawing conclusions. I have studied evolution and creation and found evolution false. Have you studied creation? Please answer.
Darwin believes in God now and if he could he would come back and warn all of those he deceived.

Answer 8

im not closed minded.....but i do believe in God...to sy evolution doesnt exist is a lie cause whose to say that some animals didnt adapt and change overtime in life but to say there is no God is just plain STUPID 2 ME....i mean someone had to start all of this(You Know?) It just didnt happen cause it wanted 2

Answer 9

I begin to think that it is impossible to stop the Creationists from destroying education and science. They are determined to return us to the 'good old days' when disease and poivity ruled the earth. It was so much easer then for people to be convinced of a better life after death. instead of making this life worth living

Answer 10

I may be a Christian, but it was science that ultimately convinced me that evolution beyond minor speciation doesn't work.

After all, Matthew 22:37 tells us that Jesus directed us to, "“...love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your MIND."