Does Christianity support the theory of evolution?

[TheShiz]

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: sandorski
The Bible was not meant to be a Science Textbook, so using it as such leads to bizarre conclusions.

no, it wasn't, but it was meant as a definite, inerrant history book, and thusly, I subscribe to it fully.

that is downright amazing, so you believe that there was an ark and two of each animal got on it? there are a TON of ridiculous things in the bible. don't forget it was written 2000 years ago by humans. how in the world do people believe in such a ridiculous ancient text, it is the most lasting fable known to man. I think if the people that wrote it knew the impact it would have over the next 2000 years they would be rolling around laughing in their graves. Religion today is ruled by the same thing that the world as a whole is, greed. Go watch the movie "Salesman." It is so easy to reject the obvious when you KNOW "you" are going to heaven, aren't you special. If there is a god I feel certain he/she gains pleasure from the curious human mind, not the stagnant (2000 years stagnant) thoughts of our ancestors. Use your mind, I'm glad Einstein and Darwin did.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: rockyct

Originally posted by: Optimus

So with that said, it is very possible for evolution and creationism to coexist with one another. So wouldn't it make sense for the bible to support evolution?

Well, as I said - if read as a description, aimed at spirituality, and written for all people throughout all of history, then its just fine with evolution (and pretty much anything else in science as it doesn't speak factually to the physical world).

However, taking it completely literally (i.e. that a "day" in Genesis was literally 24 hours, that type of thing), then no, it really doesn't gel with anything. To be honest, I couldn't subscribe to Bible literalism personally.

The Hebrew word for "day" can mean a 12 hour period, a 24 hour period, or an indefinite period of time. So, the Bible can use the word day and still mean a very long time.

your argument could work, too, if the bible didn't specifically say one period of dark and one period of light passed, thus, the first day (that is, one nighttime, and one daytime = one day). it is strictly defined as our traditional view of the 24-hour day.

I must have gotten a weird copy of my Bible. It doesn't state how many of man's "hours" existed in God's "evening and morning."
In fact, on the first day, according to my copy, there was nothing, THEN God created light, THEN separated it from darkness and only THEN was there evening, followed by morning.
That first day was evening + morning + the time it took to create the light and separate it from the darkness.

If you believe that God is truly omnipotent, why would you try to place a theoretical limit on his powers?

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: glen
Most Christians believe in Evolution, only a few extremely fundamentalist branches reject it.

I would not say most in general, but rather most educated. Go through the bible belt and there are still towns without video games.

No, we did this in an earlier thread, maybe a year ago. If you will accept adding all the people in the denominations as a rough estimate, clearly most Christians support Evolution.

 

[Dumbledore]

Originally posted by: TheShiz

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: sandorski
The Bible was not meant to be a Science Textbook, so using it as such leads to bizarre conclusions.

no, it wasn't, but it was meant as a definite, inerrant history book, and thusly, I subscribe to it fully.

that is downright amazing, so you believe that there was an ark and two of each animal got on it? there are a TON of ridiculous things in the bible. don't forget it was written 2000 years ago by humans. how in the world do people believe in such a ridiculous ancient text, it is the most lasting fable known to man. I think if the people that wrote it knew the impact it would have over the next 2000 years they would be rolling around laughing in their graves. Religion today is ruled by the same thing that the world as a whole is, greed. Go watch the movie "Salesman." It is so easy to reject the obvious when you KNOW "you" are going to heaven, aren't you special. If there is a god I feel certain he/she gains pleasure from the curious human mind, not the stagnant (2000 years stagnant) thoughts of our ancestors. Use your mind, I'm glad Einstein and Darwin did.

it's called faith. seriously, how do you explain your existence? big bang and *poof* there you are??!!!!

 

[TheBDB]

Originally posted by: Dumbledore

Originally posted by: TheShiz

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: sandorski
The Bible was not meant to be a Science Textbook, so using it as such leads to bizarre conclusions.

no, it wasn't, but it was meant as a definite, inerrant history book, and thusly, I subscribe to it fully.

that is downright amazing, so you believe that there was an ark and two of each animal got on it? there are a TON of ridiculous things in the bible. don't forget it was written 2000 years ago by humans. how in the world do people believe in such a ridiculous ancient text, it is the most lasting fable known to man. I think if the people that wrote it knew the impact it would have over the next 2000 years they would be rolling around laughing in their graves. Religion today is ruled by the same thing that the world as a whole is, greed. Go watch the movie "Salesman." It is so easy to reject the obvious when you KNOW "you" are going to heaven, aren't you special. If there is a god I feel certain he/she gains pleasure from the curious human mind, not the stagnant (2000 years stagnant) thoughts of our ancestors. Use your mind, I'm glad Einstein and Darwin did.

it's called faith. seriously, how do you explain your existence? big bang and *poof* there you are??!!!!

What if I told you I don't have an explanation for my existence? That does not lead me to have faith in a story about an all-powerful magic being. Really, it is OK to say we don't have all the answers.

 

[Wuffsunie]

Originally posted by: notfred
Christianity and the origin of the earth are wholly unrelated. Christianity is a religion based on the beleif that jesus christ died in order to allow beleivers to enter heaven. It really doesn't have anything to do with the origins of species.

Exactly. Just another thing they stole from the Jews.

God using evolution as a mechanism to get us where we are is a widely accepted notion for Christians. Except amongst some. Of course they're also the ones who contend the Earth is just 6000 years old. And sometimes that it has an edge.

-- Jack

Do you somehow think you know the ways of spirit and the universe? We don't even know where they put Jimmy Hoffa!
-- 2, the Ranting Gryphen

 

[Dumbledore]

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: Dumbledore

Originally posted by: TheShiz

Originally posted by: Amorphus

Originally posted by: sandorski
The Bible was not meant to be a Science Textbook, so using it as such leads to bizarre conclusions.

no, it wasn't, but it was meant as a definite, inerrant history book, and thusly, I subscribe to it fully.

that is downright amazing, so you believe that there was an ark and two of each animal got on it? there are a TON of ridiculous things in the bible. don't forget it was written 2000 years ago by humans. how in the world do people believe in such a ridiculous ancient text, it is the most lasting fable known to man. I think if the people that wrote it knew the impact it would have over the next 2000 years they would be rolling around laughing in their graves. Religion today is ruled by the same thing that the world as a whole is, greed. Go watch the movie "Salesman." It is so easy to reject the obvious when you KNOW "you" are going to heaven, aren't you special. If there is a god I feel certain he/she gains pleasure from the curious human mind, not the stagnant (2000 years stagnant) thoughts of our ancestors. Use your mind, I'm glad Einstein and Darwin did.

it's called faith. seriously, how do you explain your existence? big bang and *poof* there you are??!!!!

What if I told you I don't have an explanation for my existence? That does not lead me to have faith in a story about an all-powerful magic being. Really, it is OK to say we don't have all the answers.

Yes, I know what you mean. I guess most people including myself need answers especially when it comes to my existence. Don't you think that there is something greater and better out there than what we know? Surely, this can't be it?

 

[TheBDB]

Yes, I know what you mean. I guess most people including myself need answers especially when it comes to my existence. Don't you think that there is something greater and better out there than what we know? Surely, this can't be it?

I don't see why this can't be it. It may not be a pleasant though, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I really enjoy life because I believe this is all I get.

 

[Dumbledore]

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Yes, I know what you mean. I guess most people including myself need answers especially when it comes to my existence. Don't you think that there is something greater and better out there than what we know? Surely, this can't be it?

I don't see why this can't be it. It may not be a pleasant though, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I really enjoy life because I believe this is all I get.

Don't get me wrong i enjoy life too..my family/friends/gf etc..is great...but just bye a small chance there is something greater beyond what we know..wouldn't you want to take your chances and believe? I mean what have you got to lose?

 

[MovingTarget]

I believe in evolution, but I am also a Christian (catholic if you want to be specific). I do see why people have to pose this question. A lot of people think that on some level, evolution and Christianity conflict because there is not enough room for two versions on the creation of the universe and of species within it. Does this also mean we have to discount what we know about the formation of planets/stars/galaxies via the big bang theory? Well, the truth is that these shouldnt conflict at all. The Christan faith is concerned not with the details of how the world was formed. That is the job of science. Science cannot prove or disprove God, because it does not deal with the supernatural/theological/spiritual matters, only with the physical world. The bible and the church tell you how to "go" to "heaven", while science tells you how the "heavens" "go". Two different mattersl altogether. The creation stories are not to be taken literally. They are there for a spiritual meaning and moral lesson, just like everything else in the bible. Science studies what God made and how it works (i.e. physical world).

 

[TheBDB]

Originally posted by: Dumbledore

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Yes, I know what you mean. I guess most people including myself need answers especially when it comes to my existence. Don't you think that there is something greater and better out there than what we know? Surely, this can't be it?

I don't see why this can't be it. It may not be a pleasant though, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I really enjoy life because I believe this is all I get.

Don't get me wrong i enjoy life too..my family/friends/gf etc..is great...but just bye a small chance there is something greater beyond what we know..wouldn't you want to take your chances and believe? I mean what have you got to lose?

Are you suggesting I believe in God just in case?? That doesn't sound like a good reason to me. Are you allowed into heaven if the only reason you believed is to save your skin?

 

[luv2chill]

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Originally posted by: Dumbledore

Originally posted by: TheBDB

Yes, I know what you mean. I guess most people including myself need answers especially when it comes to my existence. Don't you think that there is something greater and better out there than what we know? Surely, this can't be it?

I don't see why this can't be it. It may not be a pleasant though, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I really enjoy life because I believe this is all I get.

Don't get me wrong i enjoy life too..my family/friends/gf etc..is great...but just bye a small chance there is something greater beyond what we know..wouldn't you want to take your chances and believe? I mean what have you got to lose?

Are you suggesting I believe in God just in case?? That doesn't sound like a good reason to me. Are you allowed into heaven if the only reason you believed is to save your skin?

Doubtful

l2c

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
no it does not. they subscribe to a theory called creationism.

Surely you knew you were going to get flamed for your stupidity before you even hit the Submit button, didn't you?

 

[Eli]

I find it amusing that many people think of Heaven and Hell as actual places.

As they say, the kingdom of Heaven is within you. So is Hell.

You create your own Heaven or Hell.

This isn't Charmed. You aren't vanquished to a fiery pit of despair if you are "bad". It doesen't even really have anything to do with religion.

JMO.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
Are you suggesting I believe in God just in case?? That doesn't sound like a good reason to me. Are you allowed into heaven if the only reason you believed is to save your skin?

No.

 

[Torghn]

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
No religion or science believe we evolved from apes anymore. Where have you been?

I fail to see why so many people fail to grasp this. No respectible scientist has ever said we came from apes.

 

[luv2chill]

Originally posted by: Torghn

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
No religion or science believe we evolved from apes anymore. Where have you been?

I fail to see why so many people fail to grasp this. No respectible scientist has ever said we came from apes.

Well the answer is, unfortunately, that such people have obviously latched on to hype or propaganda in forming an opinion on evolution and haven't researched it for themselves. The fact that humans did not evolve from "apes" would be readily apparent even with minimal study on the subject.

l2c

 

[Konigin]

Originally posted by: glen
Most Christians believe in Evolution, only a few extremely fundamentalist branches reject it.

Maybe process of evolution, but not the theory as it applies to the origin of man.

 

[petrek]

It was not meant as an "innerant" history book either. Certain parts were definitely Historical, some were Artistic, others legislative.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

As noted by the above verse, the Bible is not meant to entertain us, and therefore the suggestion that some parts are artistic is ridiculous. If you believe that the Bible contains mistakes. Historical, scientific, or otherwise. Then the God of the Bible is not you God, because the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is all knowing, and therefore can't make mistakes.

Most Christians believe in Evolution, only a few extremely fundamentalist branches reject it.

Another way to put it would be to say that only those that believe in the very basic doctrines of Christianity believe that humans were created as humans and did not evolve from some other species. Which only makes sense. Why would someone who rejects the basic doctrines of Christianity believe what those basic doctines state.

D

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: dtyn

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: dtyn
Only the fundies are against evolution. I believe in a mix of creation and evolution, although I don't believe we evolved from apes.

if we didn't evolve from apes what did we evolve from?

Who says we evolved? The neandrathals evolved from apes, but it was proven that there were humans and neandrathals around during the same period. Why did we have to evolve from something?

That is a parallel to the popular question: "If humans evolved from apes, why are there still apes?"

Neanderthals didn't evolve from apes. Humans didn't evolve from apes. Neanderthals, humans and apes evolved from a common ancestor. From this common ancestor to the ape, different species developed. Nothing states that neanderthals and humans (or apes and humans) can't come from the same ancestor yet coexist. Take a look at house cats and tigers, hummingbirds and pelicans, etc. The pelican didn't evolve from the hummingbird.

Some scientists believe that neanderthals may not have been a separate species from humans, but rather a different subspecies. (homo sapien neanderthalis (?) and homo sapien sapien)

But the question is, if we didn't evolve, how did a fully functional human with DNA so similar to that of the ape family appear out of nowhere? God? That's a bit of a stretch for me.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: ghostman

Originally posted by: dtyn

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: dtyn
Only the fundies are against evolution. I believe in a mix of creation and evolution, although I don't believe we evolved from apes.

if we didn't evolve from apes what did we evolve from?

Who says we evolved? The neandrathals evolved from apes, but it was proven that there were humans and neandrathals around during the same period. Why did we have to evolve from something?

That is a parallel to the popular question: "If humans evolved from apes, why are there still apes?"

Neanderthals didn't evolve from apes. Humans didn't evolve from apes. Neanderthals, humans and apes evolved from a common ancestor. From this common ancestor to the ape, different species developed. Nothing states that neanderthals and humans (or apes and humans) can't come from the same ancestor yet coexist. Take a look at house cats and tigers, hummingbirds and pelicans, etc. The pelican didn't evolve from the hummingbird.

Some scientists believe that neanderthals may not have been a separate species from humans, but rather a different subspecies. (homo sapien neanderthalis (?) and homo sapien sapien)

But the question is, if we didn't evolve, how did a fully functional human with DNA so similar to that of the ape family appear out of nowhere? God? That's a bit of a stretch for me.

You listen to too much crap. Your last paragraph proves it. Most animals have mostly the same DNA, not just people and apes. Apes are just closer than a dog, but not by much. It proves nothing.

The theory of Macro-Evolution has so many holes that I'm surprised anyone would actually believe it. Micro-evolution, OTOH is another story.

 

[Red Dawn]

The theory of Macro-Evolution has so many holes that I'm surprised anyone would actually believe it. Micro-evolution,

Why not, many believe in that foolishness called Creationism!

 

[DrPizza]

Having sat through many boring hours in a science and religion class, as well as having attended many lectures given by top scholars from around the world, I've been led to believe that science and religion can get along just fine. Most Christians accept the Bible as being more allegorical, rather than literal. There are many top scientists and mathematicians who believe strongly in religion. There are many devout Christians who embrace evolution and the Big Bang theory. [incidentally, despite the word theory, these are accepted as truths, but not completely understood truths. Neither will be abandoned, just refined]. On the other hand, there are scientists who are strongly anti-religion, i.e. Stephen Hawkings.

There is plenty of evidence for macro-evolution. Just because there are still "missing links" doesn't mean they don't exist. A very very small percent of skeletons ever fossilize. Compare a Newfoundland to a chihuahua... that's happened in the past 20,000 years or less... They came from a common ancestor. How many tyranosaurus skeletons have ever been found? 100? If they were on earth for 2 million years, (2,000,000 years), that's an average of 1 fossilized T Rex for every 20,000 years. There's a lot of missing time.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: petrek
In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

As noted by the above verse, the Bible is not meant to entertain us, and therefore the suggestion that some parts are artistic is ridiculous. If you believe that the Bible contains mistakes. Historical, scientific, or otherwise. Then the God of the Bible is not you God, because the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is all knowing, and therefore can't make mistakes.

That argument just doesn't hold water (or logic for that matter).
I don't question for one second that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. On the other hand, I also recognize that pen was put to paper by the hand of man. One simply cannot take every single word in the Bible as the literal Word of God because the fact is that there are mistakes and there are contradictions.
So, while the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is perfect and all-knowing and does not make mistakes, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and Paul were humans and were NOT perfect and all-knowing. And so were each and every one of the scholars who copied and translated the work throughout history.

Anyway, I won't push this point much further. Suffice to say that "Literalists" like yourself tend to upset me a bit, probably because of your Pharisee-like hypocracy. Do you have the faith to believe that God may have allowed men to put mistakes in the Bible? Ask yourself that. I once spoke with a person who claimed to be of devout faith but told me that he would lose his faith if he found out that Mary mother of God was not a virgin, because to him (for some reason) the perfection of God hung on that small detail. Is it so easy with you? Would you command God that He make the Bible literal for your own glory? So that you may automatically exclude from salvation any who would dare to think otherwise?
Because the key issue is not whether humans were created or evolved, or whether the Bible should be literal or not, but whether you love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. All else is commentary.

 

[nietsni3]

how about Buddhism? i am a Buddhist but i have to admit i dont know Buddhism's point of view about evolution