Why are creationists so threatened by science?

[CabVet]

I wanted to start a thread specifically about this because it is a theme we keep coming back to in every other thread, so maybe we can try to discuss specifically this issue here. Why are creationists so threatened by science?

Seriously, why do they have to go out of their way to misinterpret and misrepresent science as a process (and I don't mean just evolution here, but mostly that)? Is it to strengthen their own beliefs? If so, how would seeking confirmation from observation lead to "more" faith? I always thought faith was something you had without evidence. Would God showing his face "increase" someone's faith? I think that if it did, the faith would not be large enough to begin with. Likewise, would confirmation of what happened in Genesis 1 "increase" their faith? If not, why does the fact that science does not confirm Genesis bother them to a point of lying about it?

 

[Split Rock]

I wanted to start a thread specifically about this because it is a theme we keep coming back to in every other thread, so maybe we can try to discuss specifically this issue here. Why are creationists so threatened by science?

Seriously, why do they have to go out of their way to misinterpret and misrepresent science as a process (and I don't mean just evolution here, but mostly that)? Is it to strengthen their own beliefs? If so, how would seeking confirmation from observation lead to "more" faith? I always thought faith was something you had without evidence. Would God showing his face "increase" someone's faith? I think that if it did, the faith would not be large enough to begin with. Likewise, would confirmation of what happened in Genesis 1 "increase" their faith? If not, why does the fact that science does not confirm Genesis bother them to a point of lying about it?

Because their children, nephews, nieces, etc., are being taught that their religion is wrong in public schools, and cable TV shows. If they believe their religion is wrong, they will abandon Christianity, and their souls will burn in the Lake of Fire for all eternity. All because you are imposing your religion/ beliefs/ world-view/ myth/ fairytale for adults/ lie/ great apostacy/ fraud on the people they care about.

 

[FrenchyBearpaw]

Because it's a battle for souls, dontchaknow.

 

[JustMeSee]

Because science can take a hike.
... It is what they were taught. Insecurity.

 

[Mediaeval]

For centuries, Christians have been prominent in the sciences and see everywhere in nature the Creator's handiwork. Each scientific advance provides Christians with yet another reason to glorify God. Can you cite a specific example where you believe creationists feel threatened by a fact?

On your other point, faith is not something one believes without evidence. That is not faith but 'fideism', a kind of arbitrary faith for faith's sake. The branch of Christian thought dealing with the evidence for the faith is known as 'apologetics'.

 

[Loudmouth]

I wanted to start a thread specifically about this because it is a theme we keep coming back to in every other thread, so maybe we can try to discuss specifically this issue here. Why are creationists so threatened by science?

I think they are threatened by science because people think that it contains truths and is a reliable source for knowledge.

 

[Loudmouth]

For centuries, Christians have been prominent in the sciences and see everywhere in nature the Creator's handiwork. Each scientific advance provides Christians with yet another reason to glorify God.

I think it is important to point out that a christian is not necessarily a creationist (as in the evolution denying kind). Even as an atheist I will happily admit that there are great scientists who are also christians that have never fealt threatened by science. However, creationists often do take an anti-science stance.

On your other point, faith is not something one believes without evidence.

That is how faith is defined:

"belief that is not based on proof"
Faith | Define Faith at Dictionary.com

Perhaps we could further define faith as a belief held in the absence of verifiable, objective evidence.

 

[CabVet]

For centuries, Christians have been prominent in the sciences and see everywhere in nature the Creator's handiwork. Each scientific advance provides Christians with yet another reason to glorify God. Can you cite a specific example where you believe creationists feel threatened by a fact?

Do I really have to cite this? Alright, the "creation museum" is an amusement park filled with falsehoods. On that place, they misrepresent facts in every possible way to make them fit with their faith. This is just one example.

Also, as Loudmouth pointed out above, I did not say "Christians", but "creationists", more specifically YEC.

On your other point, faith is not something one believes without evidence. That is not faith but 'fideism', a kind of arbitrary faith for faith's sake. The branch of Christian thought dealing with the evidence for the faith is known as 'apologetics'.

The Bible begs to differ:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

[AV1611VET]

Why are creationists so threatened by science?

Because embedded in today's science are what we call the 'wiles of the devil.'

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Notice that the Fall occurred when the serpent got Eve to look at the forbidden fruit empirically.

 

[Loudmouth]

Because embedded in today's science are what we call the 'wiles of the devil.'

And it all started when that evil little Galileo tricked us all into believing the Devil's lie about the Earth circling the Sun.

 

[juvenissun]

I wanted to start a thread specifically about this because it is a theme we keep coming back to in every other thread, so maybe we can try to discuss specifically this issue here. Why are creationists so threatened by science?

Seriously, why do they have to go out of their way to misinterpret and misrepresent science as a process (and I don't mean just evolution here, but mostly that)? Is it to strengthen their own beliefs? If so, how would seeking confirmation from observation lead to "more" faith? I always thought faith was something you had without evidence. Would God showing his face "increase" someone's faith? I think that if it did, the faith would not be large enough to begin with. Likewise, would confirmation of what happened in Genesis 1 "increase" their faith? If not, why does the fact that science does not confirm Genesis bother them to a point of lying about it?

No, you get it reversed. Science is threatened by Creationist.

 

[RickG]

Because embedded in today's science are what we call the 'wiles of the devil.'

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Notice that the Fall occurred when the serpent got Eve to look at the forbidden fruit empirically.

But science is not evil, because the 23rd psalm says it is not:

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil....

So creationists fear no EVIL. They fear science, therefore it cannot be evil. The bible says so, that settles it.

 

[CabVet]

Because embedded in today's science are what we call the 'wiles of the devil.'

Anasema wewe.

 

[Subduction Zone]

And it all started when that evil little Galileo tricked us all into believing the Devil's lie about the Earth circling the Sun.

 

[diychristian]

I wanted to start a thread specifically about this because it is a theme we keep coming back to in every other thread, so maybe we can try to discuss specifically this issue here. Why are creationists so threatened by science?

Seriously, why do they have to go out of their way to misinterpret and misrepresent science as a process (and I don't mean just evolution here, but mostly that)? Is it to strengthen their own beliefs? If so, how would seeking confirmation from observation lead to "more" faith? I always thought faith was something you had without evidence. Would God showing his face "increase" someone's faith? I think that if it did, the faith would not be large enough to begin with. Likewise, would confirmation of what happened in Genesis 1 "increase" their faith? If not, why does the fact that science does not confirm Genesis bother them to a point of lying about it?

I don't think creationists are threatened by science. I think the threats come from belief systems that try to use science as a foundation. Look at any "peer reviewed"/ pop science article and you'll see large parts that are just conjectures, guessing, presumptions and the like. For goodness sake its a tragedy that a culture that prides itself on reason and logic would fall to such fallacious ways.

As far as faith without evidence. This is stealing a definition that isn't extolled in the Bible. Read some of Proverbs it talks heavily of wisdom and knowledge. 1 peter 3:15 tells us (Christians) to have a reason for the hope that is in us. Now I'll grant you that today to many Christians check their brains at the church door, but they also leave their faith at church (that is a big problem).

I think even if someone met God face to face they would even have a hard time holding true to their faith. Look at Israel guided out of Egypt by a pillar of smoke and fire, Red sea was divided in front of them, water came out of a rock, they witnessed plagues sent by God, etc. Miracle after miracle and they still fell away (golden calf and other things). Man wanted to be like God since Eden, its natural to want to rule over yourself. We will dismiss any proof or miracle just to feel autonomous.

What if one day science showed that there must be a God? How would the world react? Would all fall to their knees? I doubt it. At one time in history that seemed to be the case, with the Big Bang it was the anti religious who stood up and fought the implications (that there was a beginning and someone aka God must have caused it). I think we are seeing the same thing happen in the ID movement today.

 

[kenvin]

Young earth creation is a cult and its leaders, like all cult leaders prey on ignorance.

 

[Lethe]

Young earth creation is a cult and its leaders, like all cult leaders prey on ignorance.

Ah, kind of severe, don't you think?

YECs don't follow any strict leaders, span across many denominations, and across all levels of believer from casual to zealot.

 

[kenvin]

Ah, kind of severe, don't you think?

YECs don't follow any strict leaders, span across many denominations, and across all levels of believer from casual to zealot.

There are YEC leaders. Their agenda is unclear, but it is not spreading truth.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

No, you get it reversed. Science is threatened by Creationist.

Please, explain how science is threatened by Creationists.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

There are YEC leaders. Their agenda is unclear, but it is not spreading truth.

I daresay it is for some, even if they're wrong about what the truth is.