My 13 year old son is wondering about evolution.?

Question

Should I let him read Darwin's work?

Answer 1

You would do better to let him read some up to date explanation of the process as it is now understood, in everyday language. Here is some very good, accurate and simple information:

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/

Answer 2

That's up to you, you know your son better than anyone else here. And you know how to guide him more than anyone else here. Darwin's work might be an excellent springboard to understand how to refute Darwin. Even scientists who are not Christian have found fault with Darwin.

And then you get to show and tell.

Like show him a hummingbird, and if you can, show him a tomato horn worm adult; often called the sphinx moth. The markings on the sphinx moth bears a resemblance to the hummingbird's details. Even to the false markings where a hummingbird's eyes would be. The hummingbirds are only active in the daytime. While the sphinx moth is able to come out in the darkest moonless nights.

Who decided to look like who?

And then there is a shrub in the snapdragon family
( Scrophulariaceae ). They are typically evergreen shrubs.

Look at the Hebe genus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebe_(plant)

And then look at the Cupressus Genus:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupressus

There are really no similarities in bloom, even the distant relation of division is not the same.

Yet, there is a Hebe that simulates the Cupressus:
http://web.ujf-grenoble.fr/JAL/nz/ima-OMR/hebe.jpg

So which one decided to look like the other one?

I would not back off of Darwin. Darwin was not a genius and did not have things figured out. He was exploring and hypothesising, but really had no answers. He guessed.

So if your son has an interest in these things, let him know that there are many sources on these matters. Explore them all and become an expert if he wants to, but the world is full of guesses, and we have a God that says in the Bible that He created it all. And so far, it's a lot easier to believe that than it is to believe that these things just happened. The more you look, the more you see.

Also, I would like to give you a link to this:
http://christiananswers.net/creation/aqoo/
I hope it helps you.


By the way, your question was very good. I posted it on my blog for my 360 readers to read if they want to.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-7rEUJP4lbqSbntikbR2aAw--?cq=1&p=143

Answer 3

Yes but emphasizing that it is just a theory. You should equip yourself with alternative theories and then evidence for creation. There can only be a few reasons for our existence here. First is evolution, next is the 2 ideas of intelligent design. One idea is aliens or something like that but then brings up the question, "who made the aliens?" There is NO opened minded scientist that hold to evolution in light of recent super microscopes. The best example I have heard against evolution is.... You can take a Rolex watch apart into all the separate pieces and put it in a freezer bag and shake it up for a million years and the odds against the time piece working is still better than the odds of evolution. One place to equip yourself is the link below.

Answer 4

As a minister I think you know where I stand on the issue but, he will have to make up his own mind on it . I would make sure that he has a sound belief in God and The Bible before I allow him to actually read what Darwin has to say . As you know he puts up a pretty good argumen on the subject especially for a 13 year olds understanding.There is a Scientistand his son that has done research on this mattersince the 70.s and has been published many times.He has totally disproven the theory and proven that the world is in fact only 6000 yrs old. He is from Oak Ridge Laboratories in Oak Ridge TN I cant remember his name but could find out if you want to research it

Answer 5

while I would not refuse him the opertunity, to read it,I would not incourage it iether and would instruct him on this issue based on God's Word, where we'll find the answers to every situation and question , for the Bible says " the fool has said in his heart ,there is no God . Search the scriptures and even get help from a preacher or born again believer who believes the entire Word of God, but we shouldnt forbid,for such actions will push our children away The Holy Spirit desires to guide us not drive us."seek and ye shall find"it is also written "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it"we are responsible to God for the raising of our children his eternal soul is at stake

Answer 6

Of course. He will read it in school anyway.

Don't keep him ignorant. Let him read what he wants. An intelligent child who reads will sort things out for himself.

Answer 7

Let him see a few clips on youtube.com about George Bush, then he'll know evolution doesnt work.

Answer 8

Should you let him read about history? Astronomy? Mathematics? These things could also turn him away from God.

Keep your son in his box. It is God's will.

Answer 9

Encourage him to do his own research: internet, books, whatever. It's important that he think for himself and consider information and arguments from both sides.

Answer 10

a good parent will give their child opportunity to learn about all views of religion and science...especially science

let them decide for them self...they will be resentful in the end if you dont

don't shelter them...plus, it's SCIENCE...if you want you can tell them your views on the holes in science theories...but don't shelter them

how else can you learn but through a vast spectrum of ideas?