[_ Old Earth _] The Implications that Evolution is a religion is...

[Asimov]

The implications that evolution is a religion is clearly wrong to most people. Most people not being YEC's, or Creationists in general that is. I'm going to make my argument as short as possible, yet as thorough as possible, and I disclaim that I am not targeting God or Creation. Creation is the belief that God created the Universe. Creationism is the falsified science and belief that everything in the Bible is literal and true.

While the argument that Evolution is a religion varies from Creationist group to Creationist group, there is a general consensus that Evolution requires religious faith to believe in. This, ultimately is false.

Evolution is considered both a fact and a theory. It is a fact that we observe the change in frequencies of alleles in a gene pool. The theoretical implications are the testing, predictions, and mathematical portions of Evolution. These comprise the general acceptance that all animals share a common ancestor. Using evidence such as Genetics, the Fossil Record, and the well established assumption that the Laws of Physics were the same in the past as they are now, we have a pretty strong argument that The Theory of Evolution is in fact, the best explanation for the Origin of Species, and the diversity we see today.

Creationism was falsfified decades ago and because of this, Creationists decide to attack evolution instead. They posit their little hunch that evolution requires religious faith. Let's look at the definition of religion:

re·li·gion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljn)
n.

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

There, we have the definition of a religion. Evolution does not require or even state the existence of any Creator, leaving humans to believe whatever they want. Science in general does not even touch the supernatural, and Evolution is an explanation of the mechanism of how organisms change. Evolution neither has a set of beliefs, values, or practices that are based on a spiritual leader, as spiritual is a metaphysical implication, Evolution cannot be a religion.

As to the last definition, Evolution is not a cause, principle, or activity. It is simply a scientific explanation of how life changes. However, one could apply that last definition to anything. "He brushed his teeth religiously". That would be an activity pursued with zeal.


There is another part of this religious idea, and that's faith. Creationists put forth that Evolution requires faith to believe in. What they don't say, is what kind of faith. Faith has about six different definitions for it:

faith ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fth)
n.
Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief. See Synonyms at trust.

Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.

often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.

A set of principles or beliefs.

I bolded the definitions that I think would apply to this situation. Now, Evolution is a belief in the sense that Scientists are confident that evolution is as close to the truth as we can come today in an explanation for the origin of species.

What it is not, is a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. Scientists observe the mechanism evolution happening now, and in the past. We have empirical evidence to suggest that organisms evolved and diversified into the organisms we see today. Genetics support this claim. It is a logical belief, justified with evidence, and experimentation.

What Creationists are referring to when they say faith, is blind faith. That is not what evolution is based on.

Now, I have one more point to make before I am finished with my short essay. Certain people, who will remain nameless *cough* blueeyeliner, put forth the idea that Evolution has its roots in ancient pagan beliefs. Aside from the fact that the evidence put forth also states that Jesus worshipped Isis, there is no ground basis to believe that this is true at all.

I believe someone stated that Evolution is animal worship...worship of the sun...worship of mankind...yadda yadda yadda. This is not true. Evolution does not worship animals, there was never any worship of animals included in the scientific theory of evolution. Nor was there worship of the Sun. Hence, it is ridiculous, especially coming from a website that claims that Jesus worshipped Isis.

As a conclusion, Evolution is not a religion, it does not match with what Creationists believe is a religion, nor does it require any deity.

 

[mh13]

Evolution is a religion in the guise of science.
Evolution DOES require bling faith. We have never seen a dog produce a non-dog. Beyond that, The fossil record is better explain by a global flood.
Evolution teaches pretty much the same thing as pagan religions from way back. Read "The Long War Against God" by Henry Morris
The only difference is that evolution is a state religion forced upon children in public school at taxpayer expense. Evolution in school is a violation of the constitution

http://www.theyoungearth.com/ayoungearth/id45.html

http://www.theyoungearth.com/ayoungearth/id19.html

http://www.theyoungearth.com/ayoungearth/id44.html

 

[Asimov]

Evolution is a religion in the guise of science.

According to my short essay....no it isn't.[/quote]

Evolution DOES require bling faith.

Uh...no, it doesn't. Explain how it does.

We have never seen a dog produce a non-dog.

That's because dogs only produce dogs....Evolution doesn't say a dog would produce a non-dog...man, do you even have a coherent thought?Are is everything you post a parrot of Hovind and other "prolific" Creationists?

Beyond that, The fossil record is better explain by a global flood.

How is it better explained?

Evolution teaches pretty much the same thing as pagan religions from way back.

No it doesn't. Genetics isn't a part of pagan religions.

Read "The Long War Against God" by Henry Morris

No thank you, reading Henry Morris would cause irreversible stupidity. Henry Morris knows nothing about evolution.

The only difference is that evolution is a state religion forced upon children in public school at taxpayer expense. Evolution in school is a violation of the constitution.

Mhess....you need to unhook the umbilical cord connected from Hovind to your brain.

 

[mh13]

ya know, you're a mean nasty little guy, but i have to admit you made me laugh out loud w/this:

Mhess....you need to unhook the umbilical cord connected from Hovind to your brain.

That was priceless!

According to my short essay....no it isn't.[/

Your short essay is ****. Maybe if you'd think outside of the textbook propaganda that you're so dedicated to...

That's because dogs only produce dogs....Evolution doesn't say a dog would produce a non-dog...man, do you even have a coherent thought?Are is everything you post a parrot of Hovind and other "prolific" Creationists?

This is the typical "you don't know what evolution is" rhetoric that evolutionists always scream when you point out how dumb their theory is. When you take away all the smoke and mirrors evolution teaches that we are descended from some slime that came from an organic soup "billions of years ago".

If you want to believe this **** instead of God's infallible word, GO AHEAD. But stop calling it science and stop forcing it upon impressionable schoolchildren

BTW--calm down and stop taking yourself so seriously

 

[Chupacabra]

This is the typical "you don't know what evolution is" rhetoric that evolutionists always scream when you point out how dumb their theory is. When you take away all the smoke and mirrors evolution teaches that we are descended from some slime that came from an organic soup "billions of years ago".

Are you denying the gradual mutation in the DNA of populations? This has been pretty well observed and this is essentially what evolution is. Your posts show a clear lack of understanding. You seem to believe that evolution is the total change in species over one generation. How can you claim to understand evolutionary theory?

 

[Asimov]

ya know, you're a mean nasty little guy, but i have to admit you made me laugh out loud w/this:

hehe...well, I'm glad I made you laugh, and I'm sorry if I offend you, but you really don't know what you're talking about in regards to evolutionary theory.

Your short essay is ****. Maybe if you'd think outside of the textbook propaganda that you're so dedicated to...

****, does that mean "good"? Or "cool"? Or... :o is that a substitute for a curse word?? I thought the Almighty Lord condemned swearing. Tsk tsk.

Think outside the textbook propaganda...BAHAHA...now It's my turn for a laugh. Textbooks are so outdated and give the most generalised notion of what evolution is, that I'm not surprised people don't understand it. A lot of people are trying to get the publishers to correct and update textbooks...the problem is the government doesn't enjoy spending money on education, just guns and bombs.

This is the typical "you don't know what evolution is" rhetoric that evolutionists always scream when you point out how dumb their theory is. When you take away all the smoke and mirrors evolution teaches that we are descended from some slime that came from an organic soup "billions of years ago".

Correction, it's what "evolutionists" scream when you point out how dumb you are. There are no smoke and mirrors, and you just proved you have no idea what you are talking about when you said

evolution teaches that we are descended from some slime that came from an organic soup "billions of years ago".

The "organic" soup is a part of Abiogenesis, which is a branch of Chemistry, not biology. Abiogenesis is not yet a theory, as we don't have much evidence for it. Evolution assumes life already exists.

If you want to believe this **** instead of God's infallible word, GO AHEAD. But stop calling it science and stop forcing it upon impressionable schoolchildren

Much like you're trying to do with your "religion". Hahaha...k, honestly, get it straight, and hold it in your head. Evolution does not equal atheism. Many many many Christians accept evolutionary theory, and Gods Word. They are not mutually exclusive. The only group who does not accept Evolutionary Theory are Creationist Conspiracy Theorists, who are little more than a cult.

Stop calling it science?? Are you a scientist? Are you qualified to not call it science? Let's say you're a teacher. Would you like it if parents came in and told you that you shouldn't be teaching that 1+1=2? No, because they aren't qualified to say what is and isn't correct math. It's like an illiterate person telling Mark Twain how to spell the word psychology. If you don't understand the theory, don't make assumptions about it.


The point of education is not to teach kids absolute truth. Science isn't about absolute truth anyways. It's about the best idea we have for an explanation of the world.

Education is about critical thinking, not spoon feeding them. You teach a child evolution, and he says "well, that makes sense" or he says "well that doesn't make sense", then you ask them why they don't think it makes sense. You teach them, by getting them to question the things we show them.

We WANT our children to challenge scientific theories, and come up with other explanations. This isn't some big conspiracy to keep evolution in the lead.

If someone did falsify evolution, they would win the nobel prize! They'd be famous.

Look at it from my point of view. If I went to the Theology part of your forum, and started saying "If the Flood is true, how come Moses didn't get amoebas on the ark, ROFL!! LOL!!!!" And every week after that, a different person would come and say nearly the exact same thing.

BTW--calm down and stop taking yourself so seriously

I am calm.

 

[Guest]

[quote="Chupacabra/Are you denying the gradual mutation in the DNA of populations? This has been pretty well observed and this is essentially what evolution is. Your posts show a clear lack of understanding. You seem to believe that evolution is the total change in species over one generation. How can you claim to understand evolutionary theory?

:bday: Your post say:please kick my tail because I know nothing,and
cannot help it because I cannot trace my origin past the bacteria that
makes my body ill.
You have no understanding,therefore we know you have not done any
sort of real research to your name.
I denie the claims you make about DNA and I am not the only one who
does. What you are saying is a lie,and you have no right to tell such
baloney like that. Mutations do not occur like that,and when mutations do
occur they harm life,not help it.

 

[Guest]

The Tuatha'an/We WANT our children to challenge scientific theories, and come up with other explanations. This isn't some big conspiracy to keep evolution in the lead.

If someone did falsify evolution, they would win the nobel prize! They'd be famous.

:roll: Right! Evolution is false,yet the liberals refuse to let it go because
those who would rather believe in a lie instead of the truth keep acting as
though they have rights and that their rights are being frowned upon,when
in reality it's all a big lie to keep tax payers paying for it by calling it a form of science when all it is is science fiction and ancient religion rolled
into one.
It is easy to find out how false evolution is. There are many religions in the world,and some are false in their claims,yet it has not stoped
them from existing,and spreading their religion.
The Bible says that in the last days many would turn to fables rather than
believe the sound truth of the gospels.
Evolution has it's very beginnings in ancient pagan religions,and it was
also used by Darwin to make a buck or two.
"Watch out everyone,Soon they will cry and say Harry Potter is true too!"

 

[Guest]

[quote="The Tuatha'an
Hahaha...k, honestly, get it straight, and hold it in your head. Evolution does not equal atheism. Many many many Christians accept evolutionary theory, and Gods Word. They are not mutually exclusive. The only group who does not accept Evolutionary Theory are Creationist Conspiracy Theorists, who are little more than a cult.


:B-fly: No one is saying that Evolution isn't part of religions in the
world,it has always been involved with religion. It's part of many
religions,and it will remain that way until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.
It will be part of the global religious system.
Stop calling christians bad names when you know all too well that many
worldly non-christians don't accept evolution at all for any reason.
I know plenty of them.

 

[SyntaxVorlon]

[quote="The Tuatha'an
Hahaha...k, honestly, get it straight, and hold it in your head. Evolution does not equal atheism. Many many many Christians accept evolutionary theory, and Gods Word. They are not mutually exclusive. The only group who does not accept Evolutionary Theory are Creationist Conspiracy Theorists, who are little more than a cult.


:B-fly: No one is saying that Evolution isn't part of religions in the
world,it has always been involved with religion. It's part of many
religions,and it will remain that way until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.
It will be part of the global religious system.
Stop calling christians bad names when you know all too well that many
worldly non-christians don't accept evolution at all for any reason.
I know plenty of them.

I will. Evolution is a secular scientific theory on the origin of genetic variety, not in any way a religious statement.

There see, said it.

 

[Asimov]

Your post say:please kick my tail because I know nothing,and
cannot help it because I cannot trace my origin past the bacteria that
makes my body ill.

What???

You have no understanding,therefore we know you have not done any
sort of real research to your name.
I denie the claims you make about DNA and I am not the only one who
does.[/quote

You deny it, but you don't say anything else about it. You can deny all you want, but you know less than anyone I've seen about evolution.

[quote:62d60]What you are saying is a lie,and you have no right to tell such
baloney like that. Mutations do not occur like that,and when mutations do
occur they harm life,not help it.

[/quote:62d60]

That is a lie. Everybody who's born has a mutation, most of them are neutral mutations, some are harmful, some are beneficial.

 

[Asimov]

Right! Evolution is false,yet the liberals refuse to let it go because those who would rather believe in a lie instead of the truth keep acting as
though they have rights and that their rights are being frowned upon,when
in reality it's all a big lie to keep tax payers paying for it by calling it a form of science when all it is is science fiction and ancient religion rolled
into one.

Which you haven't backed up at all!!!!

It is easy to find out how false evolution is. There are many religions in the world,and some are false in their claims,yet it has not stoped
them from existing,and spreading their religion.
The Bible says that in the last days many would turn to fables rather than
believe the sound truth of the gospels.
Evolution has it's very beginnings in ancient pagan religions,and it was
also used by Darwin to make a buck or two.
"Watch out everyone,Soon they will cry and say Harry Potter is true too!"

Only people as stupid as you would say Harry Potter is true.

 

[Asimov]

No one is saying that Evolution isn't part of religions in the
world,it has always been involved with religion.

Wrong on all accounts, F-- see me after class you fail. Evolution is not a part of any religion, has no roots in religion, and is not false. Back up your claims blue, with logic, reason, and facts!

 

[Sophistress]

Blueeyeliner

OK, here's your chance. I want you to explain to us all how evolution is a religion, or even how it has its roots in religion. I want you to tell us which religion, and show us clear concise evidence, with multiple sources. I don't want you to post a barrage of links to Apologist websites, although you can quote certain bits of the websites if you please. I want you to think for yourself for once, if that is at all possible.

 

[SyntaxVorlon]

Blueeyeliner

OK, here's your chance. I want you to explain to us all how evolution is a religion, or even how it has its roots in religion. I want you to tell us which religion, and show us clear concise evidence, with multiple sources. I don't want you to post a barrage of links to Apologist websites, although you can quote certain bits of the websites if you please. I want you to think for yourself for once, if that is at all possible.

Tried this once or thrice before, she's got the wall of ignorance bad.

 

[Guest]

http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/ ... ralism.asp[/url]
[/b]

 

[Asimov]

http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/ ... ralism.asp[/url]
[/b]

Do you honestly think that this disproves evolution???

 

[Guest]

http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/ ... ralism.asp[/url]
[/b]

Do you honestly think that this disproves evolution???

:B-fly: No',I honestly think you are,and doing a great job of it,I
might add!

 

[Asimov]

No',I honestly think you are,and doing a great job of it,I
might add!

Before you even start on this blue, I want you to define what evolution is.

 

[Wertbag]

Tuatha'an, Man you should really let these raging debates between you and blue go, you've got half a dozen threads all of which seem to end up the same. Just think if the walls are up you aren't getting through... you'll end up in the infinite debate because nothing you say will ever sink in, if shes not listening then whats the point in talking?