How do You Reconcile Faith With Evolution?

[Milton Bradley]

If you hold to a religion, how do you reconcile that belief system if you also believe in evolution?


Personally, when I considered myself a christian, I was a fervent anti-evolutionist. I, like many, believed that since dinosaur bones are not really bones, that at best, it was a trick played on man by God to fool the nonbelievers. As counterproductive as that seems, I was willing to believe until I started questioning the bible.


Now, as a man of science, I find evolution to be completely plausible, and the most rational explanation put forward thus far.


Now I would like to know how others who hold both religeous beliefs, and also believe in evolution can come to terms with holding such seemingly conflicting theories.

[Apologist]

I take an evolutionary standpoint, but only to the extent that it can explain rapid adaptation among certain species. But your horribly mistaken if you believe evolution is completely plausible for the creation of life on earth. I suggest you do more research. They seem to be running into statistical conclusions that don't yield towards random evolutionary processes. Try reading "A Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel" if you dare. Hehe, if you think your views of the evolutionary theory and other current theories that try to diminish the need for God are unshakeble then I dare you to read this book.

God Bless

[Pale RIder]

I am Christian, but I don't have any problem at all with evolution. I see intelligent design throughout creation. For example, RNA based life evolved into DNA based life at least two times under entirely different circumstances. What are the chances of DNA being invented twice?

The bible says that time for God is not the same as time for us. Men's lifetimes pass away in the space of a breath for God.

As a hobby, I build fine furniture and remote control airplanes. I could buy finished furniture or ready made planes but I enjoy the creative process. For me, it isn't the piece of furniture or the plane that I really treasure, it is the time spent, and process of creating it. Why would God be any different?

I believe that if the human race lasts long enough, eventually science will bring us face to face with God. How incredible would that be?

[Pooeypants]

Can I just clarify that most instatistical calculations on the formation of life are a sham, they're mostly based on unrealistic parameters and conditions. Their main aim is to end with a stupendously improbable figure.
I personally find the need to believe in an invisible sky fairy as a cause of life to be laughable but to each his own.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: Pale RIder I am Christian, but I don't have any problem at all with evolution. I see intelligent design throughout creation. For example, RNA based life evolved into DNA based life at least two times under entirely different circumstances. What are the chances of DNA being invented twice?

You're contradicting yourself, how exactly do you see ID if all life's diversity is a product of evolution? If you have no problem with the evolution theory then you must accept that all life had one common ancestor, which evolved without a need for some invisible sky fairy to tample with.

[Pale RIder]

Quote by: Pooeypants You're contradicting yourself, how exactly do you see ID if all life's diversity is a product of evolution? If you have no problem with the evolution theory then you must accept that all life had one common ancestor, which evolved without a need for some invisible sky fairy to tample with.

And you are contradicting yourself as well..

Quote by: Pooeypants personally find the need to believe in an invisible sky fairy as a cause of life to be laughable but to each his own.

But aside the fact that you really don't believe it when you say "to each his own", All of the furniture that I build, and all the planes have a roughly common ancestor. A tree. Even when I follow a printed set of plans, each time I make a thing, it is different...sometimes better, sometimes worse due to the creative process. And like I said, I could buy ready made, but prefer to do the work myself. Why should God be different?

And I don't have to accept that "all" life had a common ancestor, I don't have to accept anything at all unless it is irrefutable fact, and the theory of evolution is certainly not fact. If one life form could emerge from the ooze, then two or six, or 10 could have as well, each taking a different evolutionary path.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: Pale RIder And you are contradicting yourself as well.. But aside the fact that you really don't believe it when you say "to each his own", All of the furniture that I build, and all the planes have a roughly common ancestor. A tree. Even when I follow a printed set of plans, each time I make a thing, it is different...sometimes better, sometimes worse due to the creative process. And like I said, I could buy ready made, but prefer to do the work myself. Why should God be different? And I don't have to accept that "all" life had a common ancestor, I don't have to accept anything at all unless it is irrefutable fact, and the theory of evolution is certainly not fact. If one life form could emerge from the ooze, then two or six, or 10 could have as well, each taking a different evolutionary path.

The Theory of evolution explains the FACT of evolution. That's what scientific theories do. There is no such thing as irrefutable fact, not when science is concerned, the uncertainty principle makes sure of that.
Now, you said you have no problem with evolution, yet you ascribe to Intelligent design. Unfortunately, these two solutions to diversity of life cannot exist mutually. If I remember correctly, you claim to hold a degree or higher qualification in biological sciences, then you must know that Evolution is a main pillar of biology, yet you don't seem to take it seriously.

[tivodan1116]

I'm a Methodist Christian, and I ascribe to evolution. I reconcile this by realizing that, just like other things created by man, the Bible is simply wrong. Just because I believe in God, and because I happen to try to follow the teachings of Jesus, doesn't mean I am naive enough to think that everything in the Bible is 100% accurate.

[Pale RIder]

Quote by: Pooeypants The Theory of evolution explains the FACT of evolution. That's what scientific theories do. There is no such thing as irrefutable fact, not when science is concerned, the uncertainty principle makes sure of that. Now, you said you have no problem with evolution, yet you ascribe to Intelligent design. Unfortunately, these two solutions to diversity of life cannot exist mutually. If I remember correctly, you claim to hold a degree or higher qualification in biological sciences, then you must know that Evolution is a main pillar of biology, yet you don't seem to take it seriously.

I can only guess that you are, by nature, not a creative person and I don't have time right now to go into a long explanation of how a creative person can see the creative process in all things.

The way you capitalize "FACT" in one sentence in an effort to make your point seem irrefutable and then in the next sentence point out that it is indeed not irrefutable is delightful. Do it some more.

I see intelligent design everywhere. You say that evolution and intelligent design can not exist mutually. Perhaps in your mind they can not. In my mind they can. Perhaps there is more room in my mind than in yours.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: Pale RIder I can only guess that you are, by nature, not a creative person and I don't have time right now to go into a long explanation of how a creative person can see the creative process in all things. The way you capitalize "FACT" in one sentence in an effort to make your point seem irrefutable and then in the next sentence point out that it is indeed not irrefutable is delightful. Do it some more.

Capitalising for emphasis and the latter additional note was clarify something so you'd understand that anything irrefutable cannot be considered science. I am sure that you're well aware that in science, any given result must be falsifiable meaning that we don't end up with dogma that never changes.

Quote by: Pale RIder I see intelligent design everywhere. You say that evolution and intelligent design can not exist mutually. Perhaps in your mind they can not. In my mind they can. Perhaps there is more room in my mind than in yours.

Perhaps your mind is more confuzzled than mine. You're right about the creativity thing, I guess I just can't maintain that same fantasy world that you live in.

[Starboy]

Quote by: Pale RIder I am Christian, but I don't have any problem at all with evolution. I see intelligent design throughout creation.

Go back to school Rlder. Evolution is a designerless process. There is no "intelligent design" in it.

Starboy

[Apologist]

You go back to school Starboy. Explain to me the existence of life on this earth. I do believe in evolution to a certain extent. But to believe animals can from nothing is a little far fetched. Please explain your grounds for how such a life filled planet does not need an intelligent designer.

[Starboy]

Quote by: Apologist You go back to school Starboy. Explain to me the existence of life on this earth. I do believe in evolution to a certain extent. But to believe animals can from nothing is a little far fetched. Please explain your grounds for how such a life filled planet does not need an intelligent designer.

Another person that needs to go back to school. The theory of evolution and abiogenesis are two different theories. Evolution is not how life appeared on the earth from no life, it is about how all the various species came to be and became extinct as life adapted to the environment using the mechanism of traits as passed on by DNA. The thing I wonder about is how screwed up does this country have to get when it comes to science when so many people are talking about evolution and yet so few have any clue as to what they are talking about and yet they think it is a perfectly rational and reasonable to speak from such profound ignorance. There was a time when people would just say, 'Don't know nuthin about that.' Religion definitely hasn't given its adherents any common sense.

Starboy

[Pooeypants]

Just to clarify, Abiogenesis has not been sufficiently researched and confirmed to be called a theory, it is still in hypothesis form.

[Pale RIder]

Quote by: Pooeypants Perhaps your mind is more confuzzled than mine. You're right about the creativity thing, I guess I just can't maintain that same fantasy world that you live in.

Again, you demonstrate that you do not believe your own words when you say "to each his own". Why do you say it if it isn't how you feel...or behave? It would seem that you are more confuzzled than I. At least my words, and my actions are consistent.

And we won't know whether I live in a fantasy world or not until we die. If it is just lights out, then the joke was on me. If it isn't just lights out, then the joke was on....well, you know.

At this point you are just as unable to make a factual statement as to the existence of God as I, so you have some other motive for speaking as if you are privy to some information that the rest of us aren't. My guess is fear since anger, bravado, and sarcasm are classic fear reactions.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: Pale RIder At this point you are just as unable to make a factual statement as to the existence of God as I, so you have some other motive for speaking as if you are privy to some information that the rest of us aren't. My guess is fear since anger, bravado, and sarcasm are classic fear reactions.

Factual statement? Well considering that it is impossible scientifically proof the entity known as God, you're right. What exactly is it that I have a fear of? Please, enlighten me.

[rez]

Quote by: tivodan1116 I'm a Methodist Christian, and I ascribe to evolution. I reconcile this by realizing that, just like other things created by man, the Bible is simply wrong. Just because I believe in God, and because I happen to try to follow the teachings of Jesus, doesn't mean I am naive enough to think that everything in the Bible is 100% accurate.

now......why cant people try to be like this guy? For all you creationists, whats wrong with this?

[Starboy]

Quote by: Pale RIder At this point you are just as unable to make a factual statement as to the existence of God as I, so you have some other motive for speaking as if you are privy to some information that the rest of us aren't. My guess is fear since anger, bravado, and sarcasm are classic fear reactions.

Pooey can speak for himself but as for me my disgust with the magical thinkers is not so much that they are magical thinkers but because they are not content to be magical thinkers and leave the rest of us alone. No one is stopping them from not having abortions or not marrying gays or praying where ever they are or all dang day for all I care. It is when they now require that I pray or that others can't have an abortion or marry the same sex or whatever is when they have crossed the line and deserve as much shit as can be shoveled upon them. They have allowed their "Christian" values to destroy the "American" values that allows their magical thinking in the first place. They just don't know how to play nice in a free country.

Starboy

[jeffl]

Quote by: rez ...whats wrong with this?

It fails to recognize the full potential of the conscious aspect.

It's not about how science negates the creations myths; it's about what the creation myths imply about consciousness. Accepted wisom focuses on the evolution of mind as the evolution of consciousness in the individual human animal; but there's no reason to think that's the case. There are many reasons, not the least of which is music, for considering the possibility of some ancient cultural conscious dynamic. As i mentioned before, the division of labor wrt planting and calendar keeping could be considered an example of distributed wisdom.

Abiogenesis is an important part of myown world view. There would origionally have been a competition of chirality. The world would have had a mottled appearance, like a calico cat, wrt its distribution of L- and R- protien populations. The evolution of the first cell membranes with constituent transmembrane protiens is an interesting contemplation; evolutionary truths about walls. And ofcourse, there's the incorporation of the proto-mitochondrial organism into another, larger organism; cool. And then i get to thinking about cells and cities, and common requirements of 'wall.'

[Pale RIder]

Quote by: Starboy Pooey can speak for himself but as for me my disgust with the magical thinkers is not so much that they are magical thinkers but because they are not content to be magical thinkers and leave the rest of us alone. No one is stopping them from not having abortions or not marrying gays or praying where ever they are or all dang day for all I care. It is when they now require that I pray or that others can't have an abortion or marry the same sex or whatever is when they have crossed the line and deserve as much shit as can be shoveled upon them. They have allowed their "Christian" values to destroy the "American" values that allows their magical thinking in the first place. They just don't know how to play nice in a free country. Starboy

Disgust is also a fear reaction. What are you afraid of? Your overt, and irrational anger belies the terror that lies just below the surface.

I have dismantled ever pro abortion argument that you could put up without ever once mentioning abortion. That is a human rights issue. And one doesn't need to bring religion into the discussion on gay marriage either. That is a societal issue that falls into the realm of what sort of deviant behavior should be accepted. It seems that you, and people like you are the ones that bring religion into every discussion, which is another manifestation of your fear.