Why are some Christians anti Evolution?

[BNR32FAN]

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.

No I would never call someone a liar unless I knew for a fact that they knew and believed the truth. The problem with people who call everyone liars who don’t believe in young earth or a 6 day creation is they don’t understand the definition of the word “liar”. A lie is a statement that is intended to deceive, it doesn’t even have to be a false statement. If someone believes what they are saying is true even if it’s incorrect it’s not a lie it’s a mistake.

 

[Astrid]

Here’s your question



Here’s my answer



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 becaus te they’re not trying to deceive someone.

You inserted an "if" which completely changes
the subject.

 

[ottawak]

No I would never call someone a liar unless I knew for a fact that they knew and believed the truth. The problem with people who call everyone liars who don’t believe in young earth or a 6 day creation is they don’t understand the definition of the word “liar”. A lie is a statement that is intended to deceive, it doesn’t even have to be a false statement. If someone believes what they are saying is true even if it’s incorrect it’s not a lie it’s a mistake.

On the contrary. Many creationists are quite clear about what a lie is. Henry Morris, the founder of modern creationism, put it succinctly: "The purpose of the theory of evolution is to deny the existence of God." (emphasis added)

 

[Astrid]

No I would never call someone a liar unless I knew for a fact that they knew and believed the truth. The problem with people who call everyone liars who don’t believe in young earth or a 6 day creation is they don’t understand the definition of the word “liar”. A lie is a statement that is intended to deceive, it doesn’t even have to be a false statement. If someone believes what they are saying is true even if it’s incorrect it’s not a lie it’s a mistake.

There is self- deception, as in choosing to believe
obvious nonsense. Lying to self.
And theres this, and more

Invincible ignorance fallacy - Wikipedia

Theres a lot of things to to call it when a person
cannot accept proof that they are mistaken.

 

[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.

There isva great abundance of transitional forms.
Denying it isnt a good argument.

Invincible ignorance fallacy - Wikipedia

 

[AV1611VET]

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

Um ... no.

That's not the way it works.

Just ask Moses, David, Solomon, Jonah ...

Oh, wait!

You said "Christian!"

Sorry.

Um ... no.

That's not the way it works.

Just ask Ananias & Sapphira.

 

[BNR32FAN]

You inserted an "if" which completely changes
the subject.

I inserted the word “if” because there are circumstances that must be explained in order to answer the question you asked. For example if I said this concrete slab is 6” thick and Fred said no it’s 8” thick, one of us is incorrect. Neither one of us are lying if we both believe the concrete is the thickness we said it was. Now if we core drill a hole thru it and we measure the core and it’s 6” thick we both know it is 6” thick. So now if Fred persists in saying that the concrete is 8” thick then he is lying because he knows it’s only 6” thick therefore his intention is to deceive whoever he is telling that the concrete is 8” thick. So your question wasn’t a simple he’s a liar or he’s not a liar answer because there are certain circumstances that must be taken into consideration before it can be answered correctly. You have to determine why the person is giving an incorrect answer. So the word “if” didn’t change the subject at all it gave a more accurate answer to the question you asked. I’m sorry if your anecdote didn’t work out the way you planned but that’s no reason to be obtuse about the answer I gave because it was an accurate answer to the question you asked.

 

[AV1611VET]

What we are rejecting is the boatload of extrabiblical hogwash that we are told ad nauseum are part and parcel to Christianity.

Did this "hogwash" come BEFORE or AFTER you rejected this boatload of benefits?

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

 

[TLK Valentine]

Um ... no.

That's not the way it works.

Just ask Moses, David, Solomon, Jonah ...

Oh, wait!

You said "Christian!"

Sorry.

Um ... no.

That's not the way it works.

Just ask Ananias & Sapphira.

So much for the dispensation of Grace... eh?

So many legalistic pitfalls to avoid -- or as needed, exploit.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Did this "hogwash" come BEFORE or AFTER you rejected this boatload of benefits?

Before, of course.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Hey, any time you want to talk about joy, blessing, forgiveness, charity, benevolence, or forbearance, I'll be all ears. That's worthwhile theological discussion.

Mention "embedded age," "creatio ex nihilo," or "My __________ challenge," and I'm changing the channel. That's hogwash.

 

[ottawak]

So much for the dispensation of Grace... eh?

So many legalistic pitfalls to avoid -- or as needed, exploit.

It's called "Salvation by Precision of Doctrine" or Sola Doctrina Precise--the sixth Sola. Though I can't see why having to believe something particular about Genesis like literalism to be saved is not just a "work."

 

[Astrid]

.

 

[atpollard]

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?

God says He created man and evolution says that God did not create man.
One of them is wrong.
Christians believe that God has the better track record at telling the truth.

 

[Astrid]

.

 

[Astrid]

God says He created man and evolution says that God did not create man.
One of them is wrong.
Christians believe that God has the better track record at telling the truth.

That may be so. For example your statement about
evolution is not true.

 

[Tinker Grey]

It's called "Salvation by Precision of Doctrine" or Sola Doctrina Precise--the sixth Sola. Though I can't see why having to believe something particular about Genesis like literalism to be saved is not just a "work."

I often wonder those who say/imply certain beliefs are necessary reconcile the idea with grace. Just how correct must one be? If I don't believe that baptism is required for salvation, does that count against me if in fact it is required? What is the role of grace for someone who would assert such a thing? What if I am baptized but don't believe it is necessary for others? Are my beliefs so far out of whack that I cannot be saved though I profess Jesus is Lord?

How much does a Down Syndrome person have to understand in order to be saved?

 

[Astrid]

I inserted the word “if” because there are circumstances that must be explained in order to answer the question you asked. For example if I said this concrete slab is 6” thick and Fred said no it’s 8” thick, one of us is incorrect. Neither one of us are lying if we both believe the concrete is the thickness we said it was. Now if we core drill a hole thru it and we measure the core and it’s 6” thick we both know it is 6” thick. So now if Fred persists in saying that the concrete is 8” thick then he is lying because he knows it’s only 6” thick therefore his intention is to deceive whoever he is telling that the concrete is 8” thick. So your question wasn’t a simple he’s a liar or he’s not a liar answer because there are certain circumstances that must be taken into consideration before it can be answered correctly. You have to determine why the person is giving an incorrect answer. So the word “if” didn’t change the subject at all it gave a more accurate answer to the question you asked. I’m sorry if your anecdote didn’t work out the way you planned but that’s no reason to be obtuse about the answer I gave because it was an accurate answer to the question you asked.

" what is if a persons mistake is pointed out to them
but they persist in the claim anyway"?

Your lil anecdote illusrates an example in which
the error is pointed out.

Now what do you call it if they persist in their
claim anyway?

 

[sjastro]

Keeping on track with the original post.
Data from the States.

Given the majority of Christians believe in evolution (at least in the States) given some of the comments in this thread implies the majority of Christians are not Christians at all.

 

[AV1611VET]

So much for the dispensation of Grace... eh?

Eh, what?

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

What made Job "perfect and upright"?

Because he shunned evil?

Not a chance; that's not how it works.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Imputed righteousness -- that's how it works.

 

[ottawak]

God says He created man and evolution says that God did not create man.
One of them is wrong.
Christians believe that God has the better track record at telling the truth.

Do you believe that a natural explanation for a phenomenon excludes divine causality? This is an interesting theological question. Most Christians believe that it does not.