Evolution vs Christianity

[Robby]

I know that many Christians here believe that evolution and Christianity are not incompatible, but I disagree. I just don't see how one can believe both.

Here is an intersesting article that brings up some questions I've had concerning this. Please share your thought if you find the article interesting.

http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/evo/blfaq_evo_relig_xtn.htm

 

[Linux98]

There are a lot of questions there. Why don't you bullet the ones you have trouble with.

 

[Btodd]

I recently realized that I work with at least 4 YEC's, and unfortunately had a debate about the earth being 6000 years old, evolution being a religion, and a whole host of other nonsense. It was mind-boggling.

The thing that alarms me is what seems to be an increasing tendency for these and other fringe beliefs to merge with one another. Case in point with Kent Hovind, who is not only a staunch YEC, but this is mixed in with tax protestation, anti-government sentiment, conspiracy theories (that the US was behind 9/11, OKC bombings as well, and that there's a cure for cancer being hidden by the government), even cryptozoology (he believes the Loch Ness sitings are real evidence of dinosaurs, which he believes lived alongside humans less than 6000 years ago). The tax protestation thing is a borderline militia movement, IMO. For those who don't know, Hovind is now serving a 10-year term on tax charges as a result.

My current goal is to just convince these people that belief in evolution and Christianity are not mutually exclusive. Jesus didn't hinge anyone's salvation on the age of the earth. I don't want to take anyone's faith away necessarily, but there has to be an acceptable level of agreement on reality.

I understand the point of the article, but I don't want any perception rewarding YEC's over more enlightened Christians. This is all opinion, and I don't mean anyone harm per se, but there's simply no way to address the issue without being straightforward about it.


Btodd

 

[Leanna]

It is simple really.... the God of order called into existance order in the form of evolution-- and poof, there it was.

I will be interested to hear more about I cannot believe this though, perhaps I misunderstand the question.

 

[michabo]

I completely agree. Substitute adam & eve for a gradual evolution and suddenly there's no reason for Jesus's sacrifice.

I have other objections, too. Basically, if a god is powerful enough to use either creation or evolution, then evolution is an insanely cruel means to an end. While it matches reality, it makes god into either an amoral force of nature - eliminating Christianity - or it makes God into a callous monster which is somewhat consistent with the OT but few Christians would accept this today.

On the other hand, to save god's morality you could argue that god doesn't have the ability to use an instantaneous creation which might win the battle but it concedes the war.

 

[Leanna]

I completely agree. Substitute adam & eve for a gradual evolution and suddenly there's no reason for Jesus's sacrifice.

Why? What changes? Is it very important to you to have a specific individual to pin Original Sin on?

 

[michabo]

Why? What changes? Is it very important to you to have a specific individual to pin Original Sin on?

Without any specific act of rebellion or disobedience, what exactly is humanity being punished for? At least under Creationism there's an act of willful disobedience from which we need salvation.

As Hitchens puts it, we're born diseased and commanded to be well.

 

[Robby]

Why? What changes? Is it very important to you to have a specific individual to pin Original Sin on?

Well if it is "Original Sin" it has to "originate" somewhere.

 

[Leanna]

Without any specific act of rebellion or disobedience, what exactly is humanity being punished for? At least under Creationism there's an act of willful disobedience from which we need salvation.

I don't believe humanity is being punished. I think perhaps I just have the whole wrong mindset for this discussion

 

[stumpjumper]

Well if it is "Original Sin" it has to "originate" somewhere.

You might be interested to find out that not all Christians believe in original sin as an inherited stain from Adam.

This article is pretty interesting about Eastern Orthodoxy and their rejection of that western interpretation well before Darwin appeared: http://www.sullivan-county.com/deism/original_sin2.htm

 

[Leanna]

You might be interested to find out that not all Christians believe in original sin as an inherited stain from Adam.

This article is pretty interesting about Eastern Orthodoxy and their rejection of that western interpretation well before Darwin appeared: http://www.sullivan-county.com/deism/original_sin2.htm

Ooooh interesting, thanks for sharing

 

[stumpjumper]

I know that many Christians here believe that evolution and Christianity are not incompatible, but I disagree. I just don't see how one can believe both.

Well, I'm certainly a theistic evolutionists and by some counts a Christian so if you have any specific questions: shoot.

 

[Leanna]

You might be interested to find out that not all Christians believe in original sin as an inherited stain from Adam.

This article is pretty interesting about Eastern Orthodoxy and their rejection of that western interpretation well before Darwin appeared: http://www.sullivan-county.com/deism/original_sin2.htm

I have questions about this, but don't want to side track, would GA be an appropriate place to start a new off shoot on this topic?

 

[stumpjumper]

I have questions about this, but don't want to side track, would GA be an appropriate place to start a new off shoot on this topic?

Sure.

PM me a link if you create a thread and I'll jump in later on today...