Youth and the EvC debate

Hi, my name is Andrew. I, as apparently many others, have come to this site in order to retain information for a school project. (10th grade English Class, NPHS((my first year in public high school))
Yet, my background has made this 8 page "Persuasive Essay" more personal to me and what I thought I was believing.I have been lurking the forums for about 4 hours straight absorbing the details of Evolutionary Theory and Creation Science in the classroom, and have learned so much in such a short period of time. Im surprised my brain could handle such a rush of information. For my whole life, i have attended Private Religious schools, learning about the bible and God. We had never learned much about evolution except that it was the belief that we come from ape's, and the persistent accusation of it's fallacy. I was always skeptical of Christianity, or just lazy, and I never attended church since my parents never enforced it. Only once I escaped the prison-like campus of LAB in the San Fernando Valley of CA, and began to attend a public school did I realize how constricted and single-minded the private-religious school was.Point of story, ever since I was given this increasingly large project of what has become the debunking of Creationism, I am influenced by the thoughts of those who come to this forum to debate this topic. Since I have little knowledge of evolution, I have crammed SO MUCH information in order to write this paper, yet with each bit of information i am thoroughly convinced that Creationism has nothing but faith to back up it's own fairy tale stories. I myself have no defined religion or beliefs, as i wish to stay open-minded.I would just like to say that I would like to learn more about Evolution and what others believe about God. So, after this paper i hope i can find time to come back and discuss the topic with mature and intelligent people.
Thank you all for your thoughts and wisdom
-AndrewThis message has been edited by AdminPhat, 11-02-2005 10:12 AM

Welcome to EvC. I'm impressed that you could absorb so much from here. I think it will help if you ask pointed questions in the appropriate ongoing dicussions. There are some very knowledgable people here who will be glad to answer as best they can.I think focussed books are a better way to learn. I find Dawkins' writtings to be particularly clear. I'm starting E.O. Wilson's "The Diversity of Life" and find it a good read too. I'm sure others will recommend other books. Of course, I'm sure your plate is a bit too full to be able to spend too much time reading.Thanks for joining us; jump right in.Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.This message has been edited by AdminNosy, 11-02-2005 10:35 AM

I would like to add to what Nosy has said and also point out that many of us here are both religious, Christians, Jews and Muslims, yet also fully support Evolution and the TOE.Rejecting Biblical Creationism does not have to mean rejecting your faith, should you have one. The two isues can also be mutually supportive.I hope that we will have many enjoyable discussions as you grow in knowledge and experience.At the end of this message you'll find links to several threads that may make your stay here even more productive and enjoyable.

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This just says to me that they don't teach biology there. Why should anyone be afraid of the facts?

Hi, Andrew. I am a believer who became a believer through what I feel was an impartation from God. One day, I knew "about" God and the next day I had met Him. My life has never been the same since the day of my salvation, but I have also learned a lot of bitter truths about my religion and religion in general.I saw the rhetoric in the churches. It fooled me at first, but as I have become more educated and open minded I have seen it. Many newbie christians are taught the correct phrases, the right things to believe in and the right people to listen to.I have always listened to all of the viewpoints. I have so far concluded that God exists...I know Him and have experienced communion with Him. I have seen miracles and I have seen "more than coincidental" evidences of his power and intelligence.I have also seen why creationism as it is taught concerning life on earth is erroneous and simple minded. As for the creation of the universe, I believe that God did initiate it....I won't be so arrogant and intrigued with human wisdom to deny the fact that God imagined us long before we were able to imagine Him.This is an important and personal journey that you are on, Andrew. I encourage you to have an open mind and to conclude nothing based only on intellectual wisdom but to also listen and evaluate with your heart and soul.Belief is no excuse for ignorance. BTW I look forward to chatting with you here at a later time. PB (Phat)This message has been edited by Phat, 11-02-2005 10:30 AM

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A youth is a person who is going to carry on what you have started. He will assume control of your cities, states, and nations. He is going to take over your churches, schools, and corporations. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they are carried out depends on him. So it might be well to pay him some attention. A road is a flattened-out wheel, rolled up in the belly of an airplane

hehe diversity of life was a textbook for one of my classes <3