Arrogance & Christian views on Evolution
Most religionists reject Evolution because we were shaped in His image. Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Rejecting evolution because we are perfect as is extremely arrogant. Can you imagine any other area where you claim that we or any item is perfect? Everything has room for improvement. Leaving aside vestigial problems such as an Appendix that can kill you, blind spots in eyes, etc, I want to illustrate it and what they are saying in regards to the real world.
Imagine that the brain developed in primates long before our physical characteristics. Imagine the planet of the apes 6 million years ago but they are primates that are arboreal (living in trees). These primates (Proconsul) are sitting around talking and they note how perfect their lives are. They live in trees with no known predators. They get to relax, play and hump the day away. Their food, safety and family all in one place, It doesn't get any better, and they must be shaped in gods image.
1.5 million years later, Ardipithecus comes along and he can walk upright. He's no longer bound to a life in the tree. A small world where there is only so much to see. Since he can walk upright, he can see predators from a greater distance. He can see other foods and where he's going. He can carry weapons and tools whereas his friends in the tree are virtually stuck there. He can choose either the tree or the ground. He's sure that he is formed in the image of god.
Another million years later Australopithecus comes along and lives almost entirely on the ground. Lucy's big toe is moving from the side of the foot where it's used as a gripping tool to a balance mechanism for moving forward. Her hips and spine are beginning to flatten so that she can run. So now she can see predators and not need to find a tree, but she may be able to get enough of a head start to run and even hunt these animals. Compared to everything else she sees, she must be shaped in the image of god.
Modern humans have all of the trappings that we have. We are the greatest predators of all time. Even without modern technology we can persistence hunt and run anything down due to the shape of our feet and the stride of our gate. We are sure that we are shaped in the image of god because surely, nothing will ever come along that is greater than us! At least not until we've killed ourselves off due to our extreme arrogance.
-
Comment by Galen on June 6, 2010 at 1:40pm -
I've always agreed with Dawkins on that one. "If you don't believe in evolution, it's because you don't understand evolution." Christians typically DON'T understand evolution. They have a narrow worldview of what they *think* evolution is and they have no interest in learning anything different.
-
Comment by Doug Reardon on June 6, 2010 at 1:51pm -
A cousin of my wife's was a pretty intelligent student in high school. When he went to the university to become an engineer he soon found his religious beliefs were being undermined. So, rather than risk loosing his religious beliefs he chose to drop out of college and returned home. He eventually became a preacher. Go figure? What's odd, is both my wife and her brother went to the university and both are now atheists.
-
Comment by Renshia on June 6, 2010 at 3:28pm -
"Rejecting evolution because we are perfect as is extremely arrogant. Can you imagine any other area where you claim that we or any item is perfect?"
What disturbs me the most is how easily it is to settle for "this" as perfect. I find it frustrating when dealing with those that seem resigned to the world being fucked up and that this is just the way it is.
It seems like religious training is designed to propagate this mentality. You would think after trying this direction for 2000+ years, the fact that it is an utter failure would clue people in. Every time a new christian arises, they act like it is something new that everyone needs to come on board with it and it will be alright. When the truth is it is just a long continual failure, and a self perpetuating failure at that. A self creating cycle of dysfunctionality.
I know sometimes I doubt evolution. Sometimes it is hard to believe we could have evolved into a species that is so intelligent yet so incomprehensibly stupid.
-
Comment by Todd on June 6, 2010 at 4:13pm -
Well sure religious people are arrogant. They have a personal relationship with the all-powerful creator of the universe. How could that not help to boost one's ego? It's like being friends with a rock star. You get to hang out at the mansion, and go back stage whenever you want. After you die, you'll even have a personal invite to the most kick-ass party in all of eternity.
As with rock stars, though, even god has critics. Occasionally, some evil scientist manages to kill the buzz by mentioning that it may all be bullshit. Like a rock star who only lip-syncs to pre-recorded tracks, god is a lie.
It's hard to deal with that kind of disappointment. Much better to just buy some more merchandise, and wait for the invite to the big party.
-
Comment by Gaytor on June 7, 2010 at 12:19am -
If the most pious refers to a woman as a dog, I'm gonna have to dial up the hate to please god.
I had never heard of him. Thanks for the reference.
-
Comment by Shine on June 9, 2010 at 7:57am -
I think that evolution is so pitifully misunderstood amongst most Christians that everything they reject is not even included in the theory itself. Thanks to all the "teach the controversy" nonsense, these misunderstandings show little sign of recovering.
-
Comment by Frank Hamilton on June 20, 2010 at 11:47am -
I agree with Dawkins that religion is a delusion. I don't agree with those who think that this is a cruel estimation. The problem with every religion is that it contains a kind of hostility that justifies its existence. I think that Darwin warns us about specialization to our species. This might be war and pollution. It is also narrow-minded thinking and adopting dogma for psychological reasons.
Being a FreeThinker in my view is being open-minded and investigating new ideas in science and ethics. We have the ability to overcome predation for its own sake and create a society that is better served by cooperation rather than predation. Darwin has stated that one of humanity's notable trait is empathy.
-
Comment by M on July 1, 2010 at 10:34pm -
What I hear is that evolution is "just a theory." Which, last I heard, so is gravity. I think the definition of a scientific theory as opposed to what the random Joe believes a theory to be is often confused.
Comment
What's new today
Events
Forum
America - "Love It or Leave It"
Started by Ed in Small Talk. Last reply by MikeLong 4 minutes ago. 24 Replies 0 Likes
Blog Posts
Christian Man Claims Native American Statue On License Plate Violates His Freedom Of Religion, Sues Oklahoma
Posted by Rob Klaers on June 17, 2013 at 2:00am 5 Comments 3 Likes
Videos
The Latest Giz Gad
Services we love
Check out our new mobile/tablet version of Think Atheist! www.ThinkAtheist.com/m
© 2013 Created by Morgan Matthew.
You need to be a member of Think Atheist to add comments!
Join Think Atheist