Is people's lack of knowlege on evolution a reason for it's opposition?

Question

I've noticed a lot of comments against evolution - but they actually have nothing to do with evolution. I think a lot of people against it do not really understand what it is. I'd really like to get people against evolution to comment.

One person asked: if people came from apes then why are there still apes? (I don't think I really need to clarify why this question has no merit..but apes didn't spontaneously all turn into people leaving no apes behind....)

And there have been others - someone even put this clip up as DEFENSE against evolution. If you actually check out the clip you will realize the man in the video is not talking about evolution - he is talking about spontaneous creation but says its evolution. http://youtube.com/watch?v=FZFG5PKw504&feature=related

I don't know if it's the relgion thing. I am religious but also believe in the process of evolution. (I see it as G-d created life and gave them the oppurtunity to change and adapt through the process of evolution)

EDIT: The person who wrote about it being logical to think that everything is so complex and "perfect" - why would I want to believe this all came by chance?

It's not about what I WANT to believe. It's what I can believe based on what is in front of me. No one knows how life initially started and I choose to believe G-d started it. But there are irefutable scientific facts that point to evolution as the a process that does occur as well.

I actually find it insulting to G-d that he would simply just create things and leave them be. He created a world were the environment and things are always changing. In this great planning he took into account that living things will need to be able to adapt and change according to whatever comes their way. Evolution is truly an ingenious mechanism set in place by him.

Answer 1

I think lack of knowledge is the core to most opposition.

In some cases, ignorance is unintended. Like those who have never read enough about the theory to understand that it allows the existance of both the ape and the man.

In other cases, ignorance is intended, but not maliciously. Those people truly believe that ignorance IS the argument: "We don't currently understand the complexity of a condition, therefore it is not possible" This is the same school of thought as "If man were meant to fly, God would given him wings"

Another example of "ignorance as a defense" is the argument that complexity cannot come from simplicity. When a person combs the knots from their hair in the morning, they are reminded that indeed complexity (knots) can form from random events. Crash a car, and the resulting creases and dents are far more complex than the previously smooth lines. And the torrents, tides, and eddys of a river are evidence of a far more complex model that the raindrops that formed it.

Until these persons set aside their use of ignorance itself as the argument, they will not change their minds.

Answer 2

Lack of knowledge is indeed the reason for a lot of opposition to evolution. As you point out most of the objections are ether a complete misunderstanding of the science or indeed a complete misunderstanding of science and its methodology. Many seem to think that someone just spins science out of the air (like religions are). They obviously do not understand the rigorous experimentation - observation and cross checking that is done. Not at least the international and cross disciplines debate on every point.

Answer 3

Definitely not! I know a lot about evolution, so my not believing in evolution has nothing to do with the fact that I don't know about it. In reality though, it takes common sense to realize that we did not come here by chance, but that we were created. Would you concur that our human body so amazing perfect really was evolved, happened by chance? Did you house appear by chance? Or did someone build it? So why would you wan to think that this beautiful earth, so perfectly designed for life, and our body, like i mentioned so beautifully made, came here by chance?

It really is not insulting that God created a world and simply left it there. God was being challenged by Satan, so for God to prove his point he has to step back and allow Satan to prove that man cannot live without God's help. We have seen the obvious sign of that. Eventually God will step in and he will make his name known.

Answer 4

God created all the rules that govern the universe and everything in it... including evolution

Answer 5

right on!