Evolution is a theory of science, like any other theory (Cell theory, chromosome theory, and DNA theory). This theory is as valid as any other theory of science, it has been tested over and over again and it has been proven over and over again. The main problem with the theory is that it contradicts the religious origin idea. Most people don't want to think but just to follow. In the whole frenzy to follow, hoardes of people just denouce this theory being evil and not valid.
The most tragic commentary in our times is that people who sit at home and watch TV, use medications, listen to the iPODs have no problems with those gadgets or the products of science. Evolution theory is isolated, and branded evil but other scientific achievements are glofied and accepted.
The way of thinking and the human thought process does determine the course of life on this planet. What are we saying, the most intelligent species is not going to accept the choice scientific theory becasue it goes against or religious belief system. Are we questioning the both sides fairly?
The most tragic commentary in our times is that people who sit at home and watch TV, use medications, listen to the iPODs have no problems with those gadgets or the products of science. Evolution theory is isolated, and branded evil but other scientific achievements are glofied and accepted.
The way of thinking and the human thought process does determine the course of life on this planet. What are we saying, the most intelligent species is not going to accept the choice scientific theory becasue it goes against or religious belief system. Are we questioning the both sides fairly?
16 comments:
This is a valid point. While proponents of "Intelligent Design" urge schools to submit both "theories" (If you can call intelligent design a theory, because it has almost no substantial evidence), there is little to no evidence in favor of this idea, while there are massive amounts for evolution. In addition, most get up in arms about evolution being just a "theory" of science, but what they don't understand is that a theory, in scientific terms, is very near to a law.
I think there is definitely room for a person to be both religious and accept evolution. Though, it brings up the interesting question: "If you can afford to question parts or whole books of the Bible, then what is stopping the entire discrediting of the Bible?". And that is something only individual believers can decide.
I think that evolution needs to be given a fair chance and for all people to study it without any religous bias. Religion definately puts down evolution, but if we look at it from a purely scientific perspective, I think a lot of progress can be made toward discoveries our world and perhaps, make it a better place to live.
well, I believe that the concept of evolution should be given a lot of thought and recognition, due to the fact that it is supported strongly by scientific theories and strong evidential findings. It is true that religion does stifle evolution and considers it "evil" ,in a way, because it contradicts the Holy Bible. However, there exist many scientists who are religious and believe in the bible, but disregard their beliefs when it comes to their research. As long as evolution is called a theory, it is OK to look at it as merely a subject matter. Schools, I think, are able to talk about evolution because the portray it as a theory. A lot of evidence does prove that evolution might be true, but teachers cant establish that evolution is true because of the religious beliefs of the students. To end this extremely long comment, evolution is very reasonable and people should see it as a school subject. If undeniable evidence is found that proves evolution, nothing will come of it since religion will always try to combat it one way or another. Many subjects in science are never established due to conflicting variables conserning the people's beliefs. Evolution is, without doubt, one of these scientific theories that may never be established, possibly.
Evolutionism is a religion in itself.
While extreme evolution may be completely untrue (no one knows), it is very obvious that evolution within species, along with natural selection, exists. I don't think anyone can argue that Neanderthals never existed in Northern Europe.
Of course, there are those like Trevor who have to make every little thing a religious thing. EVOLUTION AND INTELLIGENT DESIGN DON'T REQUIRE RELIGION. Many of the people that founded this country were not Christians, did not believe in the Bible, but believe in intelligent design. Many of the Enlightenment philosophers and even some modern scientists still believe in intelligent design, so when you have some of the smartest people in the world saying evolution and another group of the smartest people saying intelligent design, the majority of people just get confused. The real answer, as always, will most likely fall somewhere in the middle. The only thing we as students can do is evaluate the information we can find on both topics and compare and contrast, using that to form your personal opinion.
Well, Religion is REALLY what the question is about. If you'd read what Dr. Singh posted, he talked about how this was a controvertial RELIGIOUS issue, so that's what I was arguing. Just because I'm not a histrionic narcissist like you... there's nothing wrong with conforming enough to validly argue a point.
Ahem, back on topic. I think a great point was the aspect of choosiness in which not just religious folks, but everyone, accepts science. I suppose it comes down to faith, for we can't see physics, but we trust that it's there (Except for the people who don't believe in gravity...those people freak me out...). I suppose it's easier to embrace technology such as iPods and cameras and stuff because they have tangible results, something we can use and touch, but ideas aren't realistic in that sense.
The thing about the Intelligent Design is that it becomes imparitive for certain creationist's groups to attack evolution or to take its place by projecting themselves to be a scientific theory. That is what the issue is, intelligent design is not a science, but an atempt to fake it as one!
I believe scientific evidence has proved that evolution is definitely a valid theory, but not a law. People need to realize that while evolution has not been proved completely true, it has been tested as well as any other scientific THEORY. However, science can only go so far to prove the theory. We will never know the true answer.
There is even a new generation of Christians who believe in evolution nowadays. These Christians show that scientific knowledge can be true, and that it is not all bogus. People need to at least pay attention to both sides of the argument.
To be honest, I think most reasonable people can accept both faith and evolution, or can at least consider evolution and can put in a decent argument if they have to. I believe that religion and science can coexist. But the issue isn't black and white; religion is complex and so are people. There are an infite number of interpretations of the Bible; a unique system of belief for every individual. So there is no definite answer or solution to evolution. It's more complex than using an iPod or watching TV. Those things don't conflict with religious belief. Playing with a person's faith, like evolution does is, like playing with fire.
I think people need to be more open-minded. There's always going to be those extremely radical people who can't take a theory because of one thing or another. Think about where we live, the most conservative area in California. Yeah, of course we're going to have some opposition around here. I know some people who can't even take the the whole "cleaning the environment" thing because its "too liberal." But that just shows how people are, especially in Kern County. We're exposed a lot more to radicals opposed to evolution here.
I respect faith, and how important that is to some people. But it's not good to be blinded by faith or to anything, whether it be religion, politics, science, or even patriotism. People need to consider both sides of an argument before they make a definite decision. That's what makes up an educated society. And it's not just the religious not accepting science, but also the other way around. There are both religious nuts and the "arrogant atheist" types. So in addition to open-mindedness and debate, I think tolerance is also an important trait of an educated, healthy society.
I think that non-religious people can be either evolutionists or creationists, Trevor, that's the point I was making. There are also Christians that have accepted evolution.
brianl570 basically summed up most of the points I would have made, except I disagree that Kern Country is the most conservative part of California. Our registered Republican percentage is less than 55%.
A major problem for evolution is what people learn during childhood we all heard that a child's mind is like a sponge absorbing everything it sees or hear so if you learn from the beginning of your life that there is a god that he created everything himself you blindly accepted it is like a bad addiction.
I'd like to extrapolate on what Mike said...I wouldn't say that it's necessarily a bad habit, per se, but rather a conflicting set of ideals in an underdeveloped mind. True, I've never been a gigantic proponent of religion pushed on kids, because I think the real believers would seek out the religion regardless of parental influence, or lackthereof. I also think that many people who, deep in their hearts, do not believe in a religion hang onto it because it's what keeps their family together, and, while commendable and honorable in the purest sense, it really isn't healthy for the religion, the family, or the individual.
ANYWAY, back to the point at hand, and a pertinent factoid (Can you tell I'm a rambler? RAMBLE ON!! haha, I love Zeppelin). A child's mind being such an impressionable asset, it would stand to reason that two polar opposite, conflicting ideas, both pushed on them equally as hard from two different sources, would serve only to confuse and, as is the way with underdeveloped minds, anger them. They would then retreat to the place they feel the most safe, which would be with their family (at least in this point in their life) and, presumably, with their religion.
Now, I'm not taking a cut a religion...by all means, I think it's an effective way of teaching morality and imposing guidelines on people who would otherwise commit unsavory deeds. What it really boils down to, my argument in the end, is that NEITHER of these "theories" should be pushed on young children. Kids should have the freedom and the RIGHT to cultivate their individuality and intellect in an environment free from pressure to conform to EITHER side. Then, when they are older, they should be able to decide the path they should take, and what ideals they choose to hold.
Pertaining to this controversial subject, a main issue that arises is the question of: does evolution disprove God?
The fact is that many people, including religious figures like Pope John Paul II , acknowledge that evolution is the description of a process that governs the development of life on earth. Like other scientific theories, evoolution deals with objects, events, and other such processes of the materical world.
Science has nothing to actually do with people's spiritual beliefs or the existence of a Divine Being.
I think it's sad that people can't be more open-minded to theories such as evolution. You can keep your faith and still be interested in this concept. If Americans didn't have such open minds, we wouldn't have all the technology we use everyday. Our country would be in trouble. That's what religious people need to think about. They can still go to church, pray, read the bible and believe in what they want. Pondering evolution won't bring that all to a hault.
i think both sides of the argument on the theory of scientific evolution need to be looked at without bias, because scientists findings greatly support and give proof that things such as natural selection and other forms of evolution have occurred. But also I do think its true that people glorify incredible findings of science such as medicine and other new forms of technology like Dr. Singh said but the reason for no backfire like the theory of evolution has been getting from churches and religious people is that none of these things contradict any beliefs of major groups of people the way scientific evolution does. But i still think the finding that scientists have shown gives proof to much of this theory and therefore it should be taken into consideration by all, just like any other scientific theory, by all no matter what their beliefs are
First of all to start with, evolution is one of the most controversial topics in academic discussion. Ever since man has been able to use logic and reason to come to conclusions, the question of how man came to Earth has been prevalent. Also, I would like to give a disclaimer that though I am a Christian and personally don't believe in evolution, it is not some half-baked idea that has recently arisen in present times. It is one of the most researched topics in all of science and regardless of religion should be considered as an alternative for the actual creation of the Earth. Before I forget, to anyone reading this blog who is completely lost to their belief to what is true and what is not, I strongly recommend reading the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. (Yes he wrote more books than the Chronicles of Narnia) I am not trying to force anybody to believe a certain thing, but if you have any intellectual desire to form beliefs around truth and find logic to something before that seemed so far-fetched, this is one of the most logical, thought out, reasoned, approaches to understanding concepts most often above average human knowledge. And if for no other reason, what bad can come from reading a book by one of the most celebrated writers and allegorists of our time. Worst case scenario you are challenged to question something you previously thought as true or false. Now that I have gotten all of that introductory stuff out of the way I can begin to voice my opinion on this very challenging and interesting topic. (And don't worry Dr. Singh I will not try to discredit evolution like Ben) I do think that it is very interesting how people view science. Like it says in the blog that some scientific achievements are branded as heresy, and then there are those that are praised. In my opinion, the greatest tragedy of the entire matter are the people that are either too apathetic or too absorbed in themselves or society to hold any passionate beliefs. Just like debate helps build intelligence, I believe that evolution is very important to helping me at least understand what I believe and why I believe it. The reason why evolution is such a wide and known theory is because it is very logical!! Scientific theory does not come over night and must go through rigorous tests to be proven. To directly answer the question, I truly don't think that both sides are being questioned fairly. I know that before some time ago I myself have never really given evolution a fair chance, but more of just passed it off as another perversion of something God intended by man. Evolution is important to me because it tests where my beliefs truly lie. Let it be known that as proven as evolution is, it is just a theory. Of course no one was actually around at the proposed time for when it was said to have occurred and no one truly knows if it happened or not. Of course scientists have used technology to find important data leading them to the conclusion that evolution did take place, but the fact of the matter is until man's life on planet Earth ends, no one will know for sure! I believe that whatever people think, they should have an open mind about the subject even if they disagree with it. Ultimately every person on the plant is going to differ in belief and opinion on what is true and what is not for some matter, so it is useless to try and convince someone either way once their mind is made up. It is futile to try and convince a human something they believe, maybe the thing they are most passionate about, is wrong. I would just like to challenge anyone who reads this without having firm beliefs to find them and don't ever let anyone convince you that you are wrong!
Taylor man...you need more paragraphs... :P
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