Why are some Christians anti Evolution?

[eleos1954]

I'm not up on Christian beliefs, I understand that Christian is a vast umbrella term and so there are many people within this vast group and these people have differing beliefs.
But, for those Christians that are hell bent on fighting against evolution, what is the root of this resistance?

It really seems that with their arguments they are just reaching for excuses to shoot down evolution.

My thoughts, which could be wrong because of my poor understanding of Christian beliefs. But here they are:
1. Humans are special (god's children, made in god's image) therefore we can't possibly be animals, or apes. Perhaps these people feel uncomfortable about being part of the animal kingdom.
2. All of existence was made as a playground for humans. If humans evolved randomly then it was just chance that we came to be, and then what would be the purpose for the universe existing if humans weren't destined to be? Perhaps these people feel uncomfortable that a universe wasn't destined to have humans, and without humans at the centre of it would be purposeless and therefore goes against the core belief that god created everything for us.

Am I on track here? Or are there other reasons?
The ones above seem incredibly self centred.

We are much different than the animals.

With about 1.5 million or so named and categorized living species (and possibly several times more species unnamed or categorized), we might reasonably expect to see at least some evidence of a series of transitional stages among living organisms, but such is not the case .... not found.

Humans are remarkably different ....

The human brain possesses qualities that have no parallel in the animal world. One is man’s explicit mental capabilities and creative nature.

Man possesses the faculty of speech , and his creative communication by means of his vocal system is completely different from those of animals . We have the unique ability to pay attention to various matters at will; have an inconceivably wide range of interests and observation, because it is possible to consider spatially and temporally remote objects; able to make abstractions and to use his system of signs for meta-lingual purposes.

We are very creative beings ... why? Sure we create things to solve problems, but also create things for pure enjoyment ... we have a extremely creative nature.

so the question to you is why would, and how could, “mindless nature” put something in man that it doesn’t even have itself?

A group of organisms is said to have common descent if they have a common ancestor.

 

[Tinker Grey]

One shouldn't judge God by "christians". His Word speaks on His behalf ... and yeah there are many interpretations .... it is the responsibility for each to study it for ourselves and to have a devoted relationship with Him.

Christians are the ONLY basis for judging their god. The HS is supposed to change them. Are they any different than believers of any other religion or none? No? Well, then Christianity is just one among many.

And, for the love of pete, please remember that none of us non-believers think "God's word" is anything but human imaginings.

 

[Astrid]

I stated that igneous rocks can be formed in minutes in post 671.

Why are some Christians anti Evolution?

Do you know what igneous rocks are and how they are formed? I mentioned that in post 671 also.

Is my way ofvwriting so strange that its impossible to understand?

I asked the same super simple question twice
and that is the response?

Of course you get it about igneous rocks.
As a geology major, i do too!


You stated that rocks take millions of years
to form, I pointed out an obvious exception,
you accepted it.

Now once again- What do you call it if a
person ignores correction, and repeats his
original incorrect claim?

 

[BNR32FAN]

Is my way ofvwriting so strange that its impossible to understand?

I asked the same super simple question twice
and that is the response?

Of course you get it about igneous rocks.
As a geology major, i do too!


You stated that rocks take millions of years
to form, I pointed out an obvious exception,
you accepted it.

Now once again- What do you call it if a
person ignores correction, and repeats his
original incorrect claim?

I answered that question already

It’s still a mistake if the person making the mistake believes the other person is wrong because they’re not trying to deceive someone. They simply believe the other person’s information is incorrect. That’s not a lie that just a mistake. A lie is knowing the truth and intentionally giving false information for the purpose of deceiving someone.

 

[Astrid]

We are much different than the animals.

With about 1.5 million or so named and categorized living species (and possibly several times more species unnamed or categorized), we might reasonably expect to see at least some evidence of a series of transitional stages among living organisms, but such is not the case .... not found.

Humans are remarkably different ....

The human brain possesses qualities that have no parallel in the animal world. One is man’s explicit mental capabilities and creative nature.

Man possesses the faculty of speech , and his creative communication by means of his vocal system is completely different from those of animals . We have the unique ability to pay attention to various matters at will; have an inconceivably wide range of interests and observation, because it is possible to consider spatially and temporally remote objects; able to make abstractions and to use his system of signs for meta-lingual purposes.

We are very creative beings ... why? Sure we create things to solve problems, but also create things for pure enjoyment ... we have a extremely creative nature.

so the question to you is why would, and how could, “mindless nature” put something in man that it doesn’t even have itself?

A group of organisms is said to have common descent if they have a common ancestor.

All organisms are unique.
Human beings are animals

Yes, mentally we have attributes different in degree
if not in kind from other animals- as far as we know.

What goes on in the immense and complex minf
of a whale is almost entirely unknown.

It does not diminish human beings to be animals.
I for one think its cool to have accomplished what we have.

Making arbitary / nonsensical claims about human
beings serves only to diminish the stature of such
ideologies or individuals who drift so far from the
shore as to need falsehoods to fluff their egos.

 

[AV1611VET]

Be that as it may, it seems like every Christian and their dog claims to speak on His behalf... and that leaves plenty of ways to go wrong.

But ... but ... according to you, all 40,000 are wrong? right?

 

[Astrid]

I answered that question already

No, you did not as anyone can plainly see.
But never mind, the depths here have been plumbed.

 

[AV1611VET]

One shouldn't judge God by "christians". His Word speaks on His behalf ... and yeah there are many interpretations .... it is the responsibility for each to study it for ourselves and to have a devoted relationship with Him.

He thinks they're all wrong, though.

And even though 100% of Christians ever born, alive today, and will be alive tomorrow believe IN THE BEGINNING GOD, every one of those Christians are wrong.

 

[AV1611VET]

Christians are the ONLY basis for judging their god. The HS is supposed to change them. Are they any different than believers of any other religion or none? No? Well, then Christianity is just one among many.

And, for the love of pete, please remember that none of us non-believers think "God's word" is anything but human imaginings.

Thanks for the QED of my last post (708).

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Christians are the ONLY basis for judging their god. The HS is supposed to change them. Are they any different than believers of any other religion or none? No? Well, then Christianity is just one among many.

And, for the love of pete, please remember that none of us non-believers think "God's word" is anything but human imaginings.

Is there a science involved in knowing the extent to which the HS is supposed to "presto chango" a perpetrator into a paragon of virtue?

I'm just wondering because everyone else other than me seems to know the answer, and I'm wondering if I missed the train somewhere along the way.

 

[TLK Valentine]

One shouldn't judge God by "christians".

Trust me, I don't. But just as Jesus said that we shall know a man by his fruits, so Aesop said we shall know a man by the company he keeps. There is wisdom to be found in both statements.

His Word speaks on His behalf ... and yeah there are many interpretations ....

If by "Word" you mean "Bible," that's an incorrect interpretation right there.

"Word" = Logos - principle of divine reason and creative order; what John's Gospel calls the Holy Spirit.
"word" = Bible.

Let's not conflate the two.

it is the responsibility for each to study it for ourselves and to have a devoted relationship with Him.

Oooo... that's almost a naughty word around here: "responsibility."

Because what happens when one fails, or worse, refuses, to live up to that "responsibility"?

 

[Astrid]

Is there a science involved in knowing the extent to which the HS is supposed to "prest chango" a perpetrator into a paragon of virtue?

I'm just wondering because everyone else other than me seems to know the answer, and I'm wondering if I missed the train somewhere along the way.

Stockholm syndrome?

 

[AV1611VET]

Because what happens when one fails, or worse, refuses, to live up to that "responsibility"?

Sin occurs.

 

[ottawak]

Are you saying the the Hebrew text of the OT was translated from the KJB, from English to Hebrew? I’m just asking because the way you worded it that’s what it sounds like.

That is what AV1611 believes--that the first 10 chapters of Genesis were written in Jacobean English as recorded accurately in the KJV.

 

[stevil]

We are much different than the animals.

With about 1.5 million or so named and categorized living species (and possibly several times more species unnamed or categorized), we might reasonably expect to see at least some evidence of a series of transitional stages among living organisms, but such is not the case .... not found.

We are placental mammals,
There are heaps of our placental mammal cousins around today.
Cats, dogs, horses, sheep, cows, elephants, giraffes, hippos, whales etc.

But closer to home we are great apes and our close cousins that still occupy earth are
Chimpanzee, Bonobos, Gorrila, Oragnutan
Neanderthal went extinct.

There is Genetic evidence that shows we interbred with Neanderthals and also with Chimpanzee. But that was a very long time ago.

 

[ottawak]

It depends on the situation. Are you implying that scientists know that God created the earth in 6 days and are intentionally giving false information? In order for it to be a lie they would have to first believe that God created the world in 6 days then give false information saying He didn’t.

I don't know if you personally have ever made that claim, but it is frequently made by creationists and often in this forum--that those who accept the theory of evolution are liars or dupes of liars, not just "wrong." It is the single most important reason that forums like this exist, else we would leave you untroubled in your creationism. That, along with the accusation that Christians who accept the theory of evolution are not "real" Christians--an accusation frequently made even in this forum which is heavily moderated against such slander. If you feel some hostility here, be assured that it is your fellow creationists who have earned it for you, not because we are all atheists struggling to deny the existence of God or the Gospel of Christ.

 

[BNR32FAN]

No, you did not as anyone can plainly see.
But never mind, the depths here have been plumbed.

Here’s your question

Now once again- What do you call it if a
person ignores correction, and repeats his
original incorrect claim?

Here’s my answer

It’s still a mistake if the person making the mistake believes the other person is wrong because they’re not trying to deceive someone.

There’s the answer to your question.

Question: What do you call it if a person ignores correction, and repeats his original incorrect claim?

Answer:It’s still a mistake if the person making the mistake believes the other person is wrong because they’re not trying to deceive someone.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Stockholm syndrome?

That could be! But again, I'm left thinking I've missed the train on this because I don't remember reading that malady in any treatise on Pneumatology that I'm familiar with.

Now, Estrid, if you'll excuse me, I have a seminar on Munchausen syndrome to attend.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Sin occurs.

...and for a Christian, is automatically forgiven. #noharmnofoul

 

[TLK Valentine]

If you feel some hostility here, be assured that it is your fellow creationists who have earned it for you, not because we are all atheists struggling to deny the existence of God or the Gospel of Christ.

This is something that many Christians, most fundamentalists, and all creationists miss -- almost nobody is rejecting Jesus Christ. What we are rejecting is the boatload of extrabiblical hogwash that we are told ad nauseum are part and parcel to Christianity.

The heart will not accept what the mind rejects. And those who insist it's "all or nothing" should not be shocked when so many choose "nothing" -- nor should they blame anyone but themselves.