Why is atheism associated with evolutionary theory?

Question

1.) Aren't religion ans science completely different "methodologies" for ascertaining truth?
2.) Haven't most of the people that expounded on evolution been Christians, or otherwise theistic?


What am I getting wrong here? I don't understand. Why does atheism = evolution in so many peoples minds?
3.) Doesn't the Catholic Church, and many other progressive Christian sects, accept evolution to a large extent?

Answer 1

Because Creationists have framed the "Creationism v. Evolution" debate as also being "religion v. atheism" by equating evolution with atheism. The reason Creationists did this was to achieve political gains by appealing to the majority of the population, who align themselves with one religion or another, and thus would be more likely to take the Creationists' side of the debate.



You are correct, to the extent that most religious denominations, including the Catholic Church, have accepted evolution as fact (though they generally believe that evolution is divinely guided). The Creationists overlooked this fact, which was a major flaw in their plan to drive a wedge between science and society.

Answer 2

The scientific method is, so far, the ONLY method known to be capable of ascertaining truth.



If you want to know how many teeth are in a woman's mouth, what's the best thing to do? Pray for enlightenment? Argue it out with a group of other men who have never seen the inside of a woman's mouth? Or just, you know, *count* them?



The Theory of Evolution removed the last of the stumbling blocks that stood in the way of a totally atheistic worldview, by providing a credible explanation for biodiversity without recourse to the supernatural.

Answer 3

1) I always say as much...



2) Some of the people who first THOUGHT IT UP were! St. Augustus and Aquinas, both had rudimentary ideas of species changing over time. Augustus made this observation in the 4th freakin century.



3) Given the last statement, yes. The Vatican has repeatedly said it does not stand in the way of science. It has denounced Intelligent Design. It has said that Creationists hold science back. It has said that Evolution is entirely compatible with their theology.



And this is THE VATICAN. We're not talking contemporary here. All we're talking about is people who were smart enough to read the evidence.

Answer 4

1) no, absolutely not. Science uses a set of methodologies that have been tested and proven valid to collect data/evidence and develop new knowledge based on the data that is then made public (along with the methods used) and subjected to the review of other scientists who often will repeat the studies to make sure the results are the same over time. Religion doesn't use evidence to to ascertain truth. It uses a collection of conflicting interpretations of ancient texts and "faith."

2. I guess, but probably because they would be persecuted if they declared themselves athiests or because science was just beginning to challenge religious doctrine.

3. No, a lot of churches preach and advocate creationism and believe that creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the public schools.

Answer 5

Small groups of Atheists and Creationists try to make us believe that we have to choose between God and Science. This is not true.



Most Christians do not take the stories of creation in the Bible literally. Catholics believe the book of Genesis tells religious truth and not necessarily historical fact.



One of the religious truths is that God created everything and declared all was good.



Catholics can believe in the theories of the big bang or evolution or both or neither.



On August 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII said in his encyclical Humani generis:



The Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God.



Here is the complete encyclical: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html



And here is the Address of Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on October 22, 1996 speaking of the Theory of Evolution: http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_jp02tc.htm



Here is an interesting article about Pope John Paul II's opinion in the matter: http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=4627



The Church supports science in the discovery of God's creation. At this time, the big bang and evolution are the most logical scientific explanations.



As long as we believe that God started the whole thing, both the Bible and responsible modern science can live in harmony.



The Clergy Letter Project an open letter endorsing the Theory of Evolution signed by over 10,000 clergy from many different Christian denominations: http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/rel_evol_sun.htm



With love in Christ.

Answer 6

It seems in some xians minds if you believe in evolutionary theory then you are by definition an atheist.Obviously this isn't true.

1.Yes.Also for ascertaining different truths.

2.Maybe,maybe not.Most present day evolutionary biologists are atheists or agnostics.

3.Yes they do.



Xian fundies,particularly in the USA, believe creationism(intelligent design-still creationism) is the truth.Polls and various studies estimate that 60-70% in America don't believe the theory of evolution.Very sad.



Or the people that believe it are dumb***'s.

Answer 7

Many christians in the past were quite intelligent. What we are seeing on this forum is the opposite end of that scale. Atheists tend to be independent thinkers, christians believe, that is all. Evolution takes intelligent thought processes to understand. Christianity and creation is the antithesis of intelligent thought processes. So atheists are associated with thinking and thus evolution.

Answer 8

Because even in the depth of religious delusion theists are still able to understand than both atheism and evolution are much more rational positions to superstitions.

Answer 9

It seems that quite a few fundamentalist churches are teaching the lie that evolution is the theoretical underpinning for atheism and that the theory was proposed for the sole purpose of denying god.

Answer 10

It is purely an American thing. America doesn`t do evolution like the rest of us.



It is something to do with their general education system and the fundamentalist religious activists within their government.

Answer 11

Because people who believe in creationism tend to be people who will believe whatever is told to them by a person of authority, in this case a priest, instead of thinking for themselves. They have been told that belief in evolution = atheism and so they accept it unquestioningly.

Answer 12

Read This

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1041/1041_01.asp



And Consider this



Creation in the 21st Century “Caught in the Act”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOdByKKvV6I (Part 1)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CQb7tS-EjM (Part 2)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfN3UfoDZkQ (Part 3)



Creation In The 21st Century -- From Where did these Layers ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZyoXQJ5Al0



Creation in the 21st Century - Overwhelming Evidence 1 of 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o226umqLdsU

Creation in the 21st Century - Overwhelming Evidence 2 of 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-4O7AOYLqc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLFFduC56Y&feature=related



Evolution: Against All Odds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS9o9cbQDLI



Creation In The 21st Century - Palace of Dinosaurs Part 2 (1 of 3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeK239U2fdE

Answer 13

You are taking everything that the spin doctors feed to you at face value.

Answer 14

thats the churches doing

Answer 15

We're smart and can comprehend abstract ideas....