"Brainwashed" by evolution?

lucaspa · #1 2nd January 2004, 09:26 PM

In another thread Driven said that he had been "brainwashed by evolution" for 32 years. I've heard this statement many times by creationists. So I'm looking for what makes you think evolution is wrong and how you were brainwashed.

FireFort23 · #2 3rd January 2004, 09:06 PM

I won't get into how evolution is wrong in this thread (the amount of scientific evidence against it is huge), but I will quickly tell how MOST people become "brainwashed" by the THEORY of evolution.

Most people think of brainwashing as a sort of hypnotic ritual with loud music or subliminal messages, but in the case of evolution, I believe it has to do more with providing a one-sided argument over and over again until a person simply believes it.

This is what happens every day in science classes in schools all over America. If you think about it, every science class of public schools teaches evolution - a theory. But they teach it from a textbook and claim that it is fact.

Now, if a person is taught the same thing over and over again from the age of 5 until they're 18, of course they'd believe it -- that is brainwashing!

Chi_Cygni · #3 3rd January 2004, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by FireFort23

I won't get into how evolution is wrong in this thread (the amount of scientific evidence against it is huge), but I will quickly tell how MOST people become "brainwashed" by the THEORY of evolution.

Most people think of brainwashing as a sort of hypnotic ritual with loud music or subliminal messages, but in the case of evolution, I believe it has to do more with providing a one-sided argument over and over again until a person simply believes it.

This is what happens every day in science classes in schools all over America. If you think about it, every science class of public schools teaches evolution - a theory. But they teach it from a textbook and claim that it is fact.

Now, if a person is taught the same thing over and over again from the age of 5 until they're 18, of course they'd believe it -- that is brainwashing!

But what you describe is exactly what every fundamental church does.

Talcos Stormweaver · #4 3rd January 2004, 09:27 PM

This is what happens every day in science classes in schools all over America. If you think about it, every science class of public schools teaches evolution - a theory. But they teach it from a textbook and claim that it is fact.

You could say it is a one-sided argument. Although science tends to change, as of now, evolution is the dominant theory. Its competitors have failed to overcome it sucessfully. However, you do make an interesting point there.

As presented here, it is not a matter of right or wrong, it is how the information is taken in. Looking blankly onto their books, they see the one theory that they are being tested for. Rote memorization gets them through. In this time, they are not taught the critical thinking skills so that they can make their decision wisely. Instead, in a way, they are indeed being brainwashed.

Luckily for the evolutionists (such as myself), it is indeed a golden age

!

lucaspa · #5 3rd January 2004, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by FireFort23

I won't get into how evolution is wrong in this thread (the amount of scientific evidence against it is huge),

But this is exactly what I wanted you to do. Brainwashing also involves telling a lot of untruths.

but I will quickly tell how MOST people become "brainwashed" by the THEORY of evolution.

Ah, here we have the "it's only a theory" fallacy. And this is going to be something, FireFort, that I am going to look at closely -- that it is creationists who are brainwashed. And this is one untruth that is used by the professional creationists.

This is what happens every day in science classes in schools all over America. If you think about it, every science class of public schools teaches evolution - a theory. But they teach it from a textbook and claim that it is fact.

As far as we know now, evolution is a fact. Do you object that we teach round earth as fact? Or gravity? Or that the sun is the center of the solar system? All of those are theories. But they are such well-supported theories that we accept them as (provisionally) fact unless and until they are shown to be wrong.

Now, if a person is taught the same thing over and over again from the age of 5 until they're 18, of course they'd believe it -- that is brainwashing!

As someone pointed out, this is also what happens in fundamentalist churches. Is that also brainwashing?

Brainwashing also has the component that what is being taught has to be false. Also, that the people doing it are knowingly implanting false information. Which will get us back to whether the professional creationists have brainwashed you.

So, back to topic. What false information have evolutionists knowingly put out about evolution?

ThePhoenix · #6 4th January 2004, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by FireFort23

I won't get into how evolution is wrong in this thread (the amount of scientific evidence against it is huge), but I will quickly tell how MOST people become "brainwashed" by the THEORY of evolution.

Most people think of brainwashing as a sort of hypnotic ritual with loud music or subliminal messages, but in the case of evolution, I believe it has to do more with providing a one-sided argument over and over again until a person simply believes it.

This is what happens every day in science classes in schools all over America. If you think about it, every science class of public schools teaches evolution - a theory. But they teach it from a textbook and claim that it is fact.

Now, if a person is taught the same thing over and over again from the age of 5 until they're 18, of course they'd believe it -- that is brainwashing!

One-sided arguements tend to develop in situations where the arguements all go one way. Evolution vs. creationism is like a squad of crack marines against a Viking warrior. Who's armed with a bannana. And is dead drunk.

Talcos Stormweaver · #7 4th January 2004, 12:34 PM

One-sided arguements tend to develop in situations where the arguements all go one way. Evolution vs. creationism is like a squad of crack marines against a Viking warrior. Who's armed with a bannana. And is dead drunk.

That makes for a good quote!

FireFort23 · #8 6th January 2004, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Chi_Cygni

But what you describe is exactly what every fundamental church does.

There's a difference though. With churches, the member is free to leave and find a church that teaches differently...or not go to church at all. Public schools, on the other hand ALL teach the same thing. Students do not have a choice but to be taught evolution.

FireFort23 · #9 6th January 2004, 12:08 AM

Ah, here we have the "it's only a theory" fallacy. And this is going to be something, FireFort, that I am going to look at closely -- that it is creationists who are brainwashed. And this is one untruth that is used by the professional creationists.

I was simply making this reply to answer the question asked, not start a debate.

As far as we know now, evolution is a fact. Do you object that we teach round earth as fact? Or gravity? Or that the sun is the center of the solar system? All of those are theories. But they are such well-supported theories that we accept them as (provisionally) fact unless and until they are shown to be wrong.

The difference here is that the round earth and gravity have been PROVEN. The Earth is shown to be round from space photography. If you drop a ball, it falls...always. That PROVES gravity. As far as evolution goes, much of that religion has been DISPROVEN...none has been PROVEN. Again, I (as I'm sure many other here do as well), have a miriad of SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN FACTS that both disprove and support creation.

FireFort23 · #10 6th January 2004, 12:09 AM

One-sided arguements tend to develop in situations where the arguements all go one way. Evolution vs. creationism is like a squad of crack marines against a Viking warrior. Who's armed with a bannana. And is dead drunk.

Are you suggesting that Creationism has no evidence? That's hilarious!