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Well, I see it a lot different. First let me suggest that there might not be a contradiction between Christianity and Evolution, since some Christian denominat

Well, I see it a lot different. First let me suggest that there might not be a contradiction between Christianity and Evolution, since some Christian denominations are absolutely comfortable with it (e.g. Anglicans, Lutherans and Catholics). Although I have no religion (agnostic, as some call) my wife is Catholic and has no problem in giving Darwin biographies to my children. Second, you can believe in Creationism and doubt science if it pleases you. What you can't do is to pretend that Creationism is science, as I.D. and the Discovery Institute do. It is this last bit what I call a fraud.

aarondf 14y ago
I totally get that you see it different, and I respect it. There are lots of things that people claiming to be Christians disagree about. I say "claiming" because it is impossible to say that a single group of people are believers, regardless of what group that is (Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic). So I personally do not believe evolution, based on my reading of the first book of the Bible, but some people claiming Christianity do. Maybe I'm the one that is wrong! I'm ok with that, because in the end my believing creation || evolution isn't what my salvation hinges on. We have certain beliefs that we have to hold with open hands, and some that are closed. That Jesus paid the price for my sins, that is a closed-hand, absolute for me. Creation vs Evolution, I care wayyyy less about. I believe creation, you (presumably) believe evolution. Awesome, let's chat about it. As far as the creation-is-science point, I believe it to be so only because I believe it to be true, so it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I understand that you believe differently, and you are 100% welcome to call creation-is-science a fraud. I misunderstood you to be saying "creation is a fraud, practice your religion freely!" which I didn't understand. I understand much better now.
- goostavos 14y ago
  In addition to the first book of the Bible, I would suggest checking out the first chapter of Why Evolution is True. I found it to be an extremely elightening introduction to evolution. It hit that sweet spot of having just enough technical information while still being a "page turner." I ended up reading the thing in two sittings. At the very least, it would give you a more credible line of argument by explaining why you disagree with the theory of evolution, rather than citing a very old, often incorrect book.
- aarondf 14y ago
  Thanks for the recc goostavos, I (truly) will check it out. Thanks also for being amiable.
illuminate 14y ago
"First let me suggest that there might not be a contradiction between Christianity and Evolution" It's not a suggestion, it's a fact!
- aarondf 14y ago
  I understand that to be your opinion. I (and most Christians) however, have a different opinion: that there absolutely is a contradiction. I wouldn't call it a fact.
  - illuminate 14y ago
    It's a fact that one can believe in evolution and a Christian. whether you understand the definition of "Intelligent Design" as used by Creationists and the idea of God guiding the hand of evolution is irrelevant to that fact. Most Christians are not Creationists, believing in God's creation is not the same thing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy
  - tzs 14y ago
    Catholics believe that there is no contradiction between Christianity ans evolution, and since Catholics make up more tha 50% of Christians, so your claim that most Christians see a contradiction is incorrect.
    - illuminate 14y ago
      Besides that literalists/fundamentalists do not comprise the majority of Protestants either.

aarondf 14y ago

I totally get that you see it different, and I respect it. There are lots of things that people claiming to be Christians disagree about. I say "claiming" because it is impossible to say that a single group of people are believers, regardless of what group that is (Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic). So I personally do not believe evolution, based on my reading of the first book of the Bible, but some people claiming Christianity do. Maybe I'm the one that is wrong! I'm ok with that, because in the end my believing creation || evolution isn't what my salvation hinges on. We have certain beliefs that we have to hold with open hands, and some that are closed. That Jesus paid the price for my sins, that is a closed-hand, absolute for me. Creation vs Evolution, I care wayyyy less about. I believe creation, you (presumably) believe evolution. Awesome, let's chat about it. As far as the creation-is-science point, I believe it to be so only because I believe it to be true, so it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I understand that you believe differently, and you are 100% welcome to call creation-is-science a fraud. I misunderstood you to be saying "creation is a fraud, practice your religion freely!" which I didn't understand. I understand much better now.

goostavos 14y ago
In addition to the first book of the Bible, I would suggest checking out the first chapter of Why Evolution is True. I found it to be an extremely elightening introduction to evolution. It hit that sweet spot of having just enough technical information while still being a "page turner." I ended up reading the thing in two sittings. At the very least, it would give you a more credible line of argument by explaining why you disagree with the theory of evolution, rather than citing a very old, often incorrect book.
aarondf 14y ago
Thanks for the recc goostavos, I (truly) will check it out. Thanks also for being amiable.

illuminate 14y ago

"First let me suggest that there might not be a contradiction between Christianity and Evolution" It's not a suggestion, it's a fact!

aarondf 14y ago
I understand that to be your opinion. I (and most Christians) however, have a different opinion: that there absolutely is a contradiction. I wouldn't call it a fact.
- illuminate 14y ago
  It's a fact that one can believe in evolution and a Christian. whether you understand the definition of "Intelligent Design" as used by Creationists and the idea of God guiding the hand of evolution is irrelevant to that fact. Most Christians are not Creationists, believing in God's creation is not the same thing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy
- tzs 14y ago
  Catholics believe that there is no contradiction between Christianity ans evolution, and since Catholics make up more tha 50% of Christians, so your claim that most Christians see a contradiction is incorrect.
  - illuminate 14y ago
    Besides that literalists/fundamentalists do not comprise the majority of Protestants either.