It seems to me this debate over Creationism and Evolution is rather a heated one. Of course that's obvious to all. My question then is why this is so? Why do both Creationists and Evolutionists argue so vehemently for thier opinions?
The likely answers?
The Evos would of course argue that they Creos are are trying to pass off their religion as science. That these Creos have a purely religious agenda, and care little for the actual pursuit of knowledge. Or maybe that they are simply trying to fit science into their overly literal readings of their holy book, which then causes them to make poor scientific conclusions. So, the Evos would say the Creos are, whether deceptively and purposely or ignorantly and innocently, muddling the reservoirs of otherwise true science and knowledge. Or at the very least, the otherwise true
pursuit of scientific knowledge.
The Creos, on the other hand, may first argue that Evolution is in opposition to the Bible, not simply in a literal 6-day creation, but in the history of mankind, reasoning of evil, and necessity of a savior. Due to this, they will look at the Evos science and attempt to determine if it is not simply in err. They will then argue that design and other factors necessitate the existance of a supernatural creation rather than the existance of Evolution, believing the two to be mutually exclusive.
Perhaps another catagory could be given to some ID folks. People who do not necessarily believe the Bible, but are likely theist, or simply people who believe Evolution has to many major flaws to be accepted as fact. They will purely argue against the possibility of Evolution, without necessarily arguing for an alternative, or perhaps arguing for the 'unknowability' of such origins by mere scientific method.
Of course there are more arguments and more subgroups beneath or outside these. But the question I am really asking here is why? Why do any of these groups care to argue? And if they have good reason, why must they do it so violently? What drives these people to argue and seemingly hate in such a manner?
Why does it seem the Evos see themselves as the guardians of true science and knowledge? Why do they care so much if Creationists or others make possibly erroneous claims? Much of the world cannot even read or write. Why are they so adamant about protecting Evolutionary knowledge, while seeming to care so little for the ignorant masses of the world? Or, if their evidence is so concrete, why does it seem they fear opposition of others? If their evidence is so concrete, will not time and further study prove their position further? If the universe is 4.5 billion years old, and mankind is 4.5 million years old, why does it matter if it takes another 100 years for the accumulated evidence to fully convince all the world of the Theory of Evolution? In this information age such truth could hardly be suppressed? Again, I am not suggesting this is reason not to debate or discuss, only reason to do so in a calm and friendly manner. For what is the reason for arguing in such a harsh and derisive manner?
Likewise, why does it seem the Creos will so violently debate their position? Are not the Evos blinded to the truth of Jesus as any other person, whether of false religion or no religion. Is it not a spiritual battle of the heart for which they are fighting? Why are they sidetracked by presenting their own harsh and derisive arguments agianst a scientific theory? They say it relates to religion, but so does everything. If God is absolute, and absolute creator, all things come from and belong to him. And if Jesus is the way the truth and the life, why presume to argue for foundational truths apart from his inclusion? And yet again, I am not saying anyone should not participate in such debates, I am only asking why Creos care so much. Why they cannot seem to do so in a calm and friendly manner.
That is still the question. Why do we care enough about our particular opinion to fight for it? And why can we so often not fight as gentlemen, but rather as bickering children? What is the reasoning for this attitude, that men would prefer to mock those they disagree with, rather than open-mindedly discuss in the pursuit of actual truth? Should not the Evos welcome the Creos arguments as a means of further refining their viewpoint? And the Creos likewise could do the same. Why does man choose to hate rather than love?
This message has been edited by Dierotao, 04-05-2006 09:11 AM
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