Why Do Evolutionist Debate?

[Warrior FC]

Why do evolutionist debate to try and prove their belief of evolution?

Christians debate and try and prove their belief of creation because they hunger for others to believe and have a relationship with God which will lead then to to eternal life!

It appears that Christians have a purpose behind their debating while evolutionists are simply set on proving their point for no significant purpose or benefit!

I don't understand the reasoning or purpose behind evolutionists debating their belief?

Can any evolutionists here explain the importance of getting others to believe in evolution along with you?... What benefit will be gained by believing in evolution?... What do evolutionists have to offer?

 

[MSBS]

Mostly, it's because we have studied the theory extensively, have examined the evidence critically, and reached the conclusion that the theory of evolution is the best explanation for the diversity of life. For just about all of us, this has no implications what so ever in regards to the existence of God or the truth of the Bible-- in other words it's not a religious based argument on our side.

When we see people distorting things based on either ignorance or a misguided zealousness based on their particular interpretation of the bible, some of us feel compelled to answer. This can be particularly important when the debate regards science curricula in our schools, where the debate is really about wether or not to teach science of superstition.

As to what we have to offer, it is knowledge. Quite frankly I find your attitude puzzling. Do you say the same about physics or astronomy? How about history? Somehow I expect all that you feel worth while is to study the bible and completely ignore the rest of creation, since none of it "matters".

I'd like to pose some questions to you. Why does evolution bother you? Do you become less saved if you believe in it? Does it dilute your relationship with God? Why is it important for you to attack science....what good does it do? And finally, do you consider the possibility that your attacks serve to drive people away from Christianity? That the attacks leave people thinking, "boy Christianity is full of superstitious nonsense that denies reality."? I'm sure you don't believe that, so why do you insist on giving that impression?

 

[ifriit]

Warrior FC: Can any evolutionists here explain the importance of getting others to believe in evolution along with you?

I personally place little importance on this. However, what I do think is important is that people understand what they're attacking in their attempt to refute it and acknowledge scientific facts when discussing a scientific theory. I have yet to see a creationist argument which did not ultimately either (a) create a strawman of evolution to knock down, missing the actual scientific theory by a mile, or (b) simply ignore or even deny facts that are inconvenient. Creationists do not present credible scientific theories; when they attempt to, they are inevitably falsified, yet creationists simply ignore the refutations. In short, creationists appear to laud ignorance and error, and I hope to correct that.

Why do I think this is important? Well, for one, I think it is helpful to teach others. I am greatly concerned by many of the stances of the vocal creationist crowd, primarily attempting to teach alternate philosophies or religion in place of science in our schools. Such efforts would seem to prelude a backslide into barbarism on the level of the Dark Ages. The less support these people have, the better our collective future will be.

Warrior FC: What benefit will be gained by believing in evolution?... What do evolutionists have to offer?

Well, first off, I don't even know what you mean by "believing in evolution." Evolution is a scientific theory, not a philosophy or a religion. Now, if you mean "believing evolutionary theory to be valid," then I feel compelled to ask... is there some reason not to?

 

[Warrior FC]

Let me ask again this way...

What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

 

[Late_Cretaceous]

As far as religion goes, people can believe whatever they want. When it comes to evolution - and any other scientific theory - consensus is quite important. That does not mean that everyone has to accept blindly. In fact, an open and critical mind are necessary when deciding whether or not to accept the validity of any scinetific theory. We all need to accept that the flu is caused by a virus, and not by some demon or spirit. If half the people in society rejected modern medical technoloty, and instead tried to exorcize demons when someone got sick - well a lot of poeple would die. Obviously, doctors are not always right, but if I had a physical problem I would trust his knowledge over some faith healer.

 

[ifriit]

Warrior FC: Let me ask again this way...

What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

What do you mean by "evolution is how we began?" This is terribly vague.

 

[Warrior FC]

Again...

What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

Please don't avoid this question.. I'm just trying to understand your purpose and intent of debating evolution... not go aginst you!

 

[lithium.]

 

[kern]

Originally posted by Warrior FC

What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

It is almost entirely due to the efforts of some fundamentalists to compromise the teaching of Evolution in public schools. If it were not for this, I am fairly certain that scientists would ignore the creationists completely the same way they do "flat earth believers" and the like.

Otherwise there is no reason for debate, the scientists will continue to use the theory of evolution in their research just as they have done for many years.

-Chris

 

[ifriit]

Warrior FC: What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

I don't know. Your question is too vague to answer. I can interpret in several ways, and I don't know which you mean it in.

 

[Late_Cretaceous]

As we move into the future, our knowledge of the universe will continue to increase. Some of this knowledge will be of practical value someday - who knows what will be useful for engineers and doctors in the future, and what will be mundane scientific trivia. The ability to generate a vacuum was considered irrelevant and even idiotic at first, now just about all industrial/househole/medical processes employ the vacuum as a tool.

To deny evolution is to stand in the way of knowledge gathering, and progress. If the children of today are mislead by inorace that WE have imposed on them (i.e. creationism and other crank science), what hope is there for the future.

 

[Warrior FC]

Originally posted by Late_Cretaceous
As far as religion goes, people can believe whatever they want. When it comes to evolution - and any other scientific theory - consensus is quite important. That does not mean that everyone has to accept blindly. In fact, an open and critical mind are necessary when deciding whether or not to accept the validity of any scinetific theory. We all need to accept that the flu is caused by a virus, and not by some demon or spirit. If half the people in society rejected modern medical technoloty, and instead tried to exorcize demons when someone got sick - well a lot of poeple would die. Obviously, doctors are not always right, but if I had a physical problem I would trust his knowledge over some faith healer.

God gives us wisdom as far as going to the doctors go.. We trust God as the healer but He may have us go to the doctor for his purposes! God can heal anyone atv any time.. Nothing is impossible with Him!

Let me ask you this.. If you put your trust and confidence in a doctor.. and He diagnoses you with cancer and says you have 3 weeks left to live are you going to accept what he said and wait 3 weeks and die.. or are you going to reject it and fight for your life?

 

[MSBS]

Originally posted by Warrior FC
What FUTURE importance or benefit is their in trying to convince others that evolution is how we began?

What future importance or benefit is there in trying to convince others the earth is round or that the earth travels around the sun?

I pose that question in order to show you the question itself is nonsense. You seem to be saying since you see no imediate benefit we should just shut up and let people spout off any nonsense at all about the issue.

If it is of no importance, then why in the world do you feel the need to refute it? If it isn't important one way or the other, it shouldn't matter.

 

[Late_Cretaceous]

If I reject the doctor's prognosis, I would go to another doctor and get a second opinion. Otherwise I would accept my mortality.

Or maybe I would go to the dominican republic to have some quack blow ozone gas on the tumor and drain my bank account.

 

[wildernesse]

I'd like to mention that understanding and accepting evolution and believing in Christianity are not mutually exclusive.

People who refute creationists' mumbo jumbo (because for the most part that's what it is--the other part is just plain lies) aren't offering anything but insight into what we know about the organization and workings of the natural world as science understands it today. And gaining knowledge about the world around us should be the goal of thinking people everywhere. How else do we make decisions?

I think that God created the natural world, but I don't know how and don't think it's important to be able to assign a spot where I can say "There's where it is!" I also don't understand why people are so eager to put God in a box and say that there is no way that he could have used the mechanisms that we find in the natural world.

--tibac

 

[Warrior FC]

Originally posted by MSBS
What future importance or benefit is there in trying to convince others the earth is round or that the earth travels around the sun?

I pose that question in order to show you the question itself is nonsense. You seem to be saying since you see no imediate benefit we should just shut up and let people spout off any nonsense at all about the issue.

If it is of no importance, then why in the world do you feel the need to refute it? If it isn't important one way or the other, it shouldn't matter.

 

The point is... Evolutionists have nothing to offer anyone by debating evolution except for self satisfaction of trying to prove their point!

Now christians on the other hand have the hope of everlsting life and an ETERNAL relationship with a loving God to offer evolutionists!

 

 

[wildernesse]

Why can't a person have a relationship with God and still accept evolution?

Show me where salvation is tied into dis-believing modern science. Bible verses please.

--tibac

 

[Warrior FC]

ok

Genesis 2:7
THEN TTHE LORD GOD FORMED MAN FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND, AND BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE AND HE BECAME A LIVING BEING.

Man did not evolve.. He was formed at this moment!

 

[MSBS]

Originally posted by Warrior FC


The point is... Evolutionists have nothing to offer anyone by debating evolution except for self satisfaction of trying to prove their point!

Now christians on the other hand have the hope of everlsting life and an ETERNAL relationship with a loving God to offer evolutionists!

You seem to be missing the point here. Christians can be, and many are, evolutionists. Because I believe in evolution doesn't necessitate me not believing in God. Evolution is not, and never has been, atheism. If you want to witness to me or other students of science about Christianity, I'd suggest you not go on about evolution or science-- you don't appear to be very knowledge on the subject. Having opinions in one area that people know to be incorrect might make people think all of your message is foolish.

 

[wildernesse]

Originally posted by Warrior FC
ok

Genesis 2:7
THEN TTHE LORD GOD FORMED MAN FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND, AND BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE AND HE BECAME A LIVING BEING.

Man did not evolve.. He was formed at this moment!

And this ties into salvation how exactly? Why does anyone have to believe this to have a relationship with God?

--tibac