Two Simple Questions

1. What is evolution?

2. Does it contradict the Bible?

Please answer in as simple terms as possible. For example, I'll turn the tables.

1. What is the Biblical creation account?

Answer: Every living thing, plant and animal was created to reproduce according to it's kind. Grass makes grass, turtles make turtles. Birds don't make lizards or lizards don't make birds.

2. Does it contradict evolution?

Answer: Some of it, apparently does.

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LeopoldBloom · M

Evolution by natural selection refers to organisms that are better adapted to their environment, being more likely to pass those adaptive traits to their offspring, with the result that over many generations, the species changes or "evolves." This was first described by the Roman poet Lucretius thousands of years ago. The French biologist Lamarcke proposed that acquired traits could be passed down (for example a giraffe straining to reach leaves higher up on a tree would gradually grow a longer neck, and its offspring would inherit this). Lamarcke's theory was found to be incorrect, but in France, he's still considered the "father of evolution" as he at least proposed a theory.

Darwin is mainly recognized for his efforts in making rigorous scientific observations and proposing the theory of natural selection which is still accepted today. More recent modifications include "phyletic gradualism," or the theory that evolution occurs slowly and smoothly, and "punctuated equilibrium," or long periods with no change, interspersed with short periods of very fast change. Darwin was unaware of genetics, as Mendel's pioneering work had not been done yet, so he had no mechanism for explaining how traits were passed down.

Whether this contradicts the Bible depends on who you ask. The Catholic Church sees no contradiction and allows for evolution. Some fundamentalist Christian churches oppose evolution as they believe several Bible verses don't allow for it. Much of this opposition is also politically motivated.

The theory of evolution is an example of how science is not a house of cards, where if one thing is defeated, the entire edifice crumbles. It's more like a puzzle where every piece fits together. Evolution fits in with other aspects of our understanding of biology and behavioral science.

AkioTsukino · M

@LeopoldBloom

This was first described by the Roman poet Lucretius thousands of years ago

I'd like to see the source for that.

for example a giraffe straining to reach leaves higher up on a tree would gradually grow a longer neck, and its offspring would inherit this

Poorly constructed speculation. Wouldn't it be easier to just eat what was available. Why didn't a cow grow into a giraffe? It wouldn't contradict the Biblical unless it became something else that couldn't reproduce fertile offspring. Think, mule, donkey, horse, zebra.

Whether this contradicts the Bible depends on who you ask.

Of course.

The Catholic Church sees no contradiction and allows for evolution.

Do they accept the creation account? Not do they say it's allegorical etc. Do they accept the Biblical creation account as fact.

Some fundamentalist Christian churches oppose evolution as they believe several Bible verses don't allow for it.

What verses, please.

Much of this opposition is also politically motivated.

Exactly. Socially and politically motivated. Why would science be politically and socially motivated. Wouldn't they have to be in order to necessitate social and political opposition?

Evolution fits in with other aspects of our understanding of biology and behavioral science.

Example of that science in contradiction of the Biblical account being observable. Secondly, bad science can lead to good conclusions. Alchemy and chemistry comes to mind, but also having a incorrect conclusion can produce beneficial or correct speculation.

LeopoldBloom · M

@AkioTsukino I don't want to argue with you, I'm just explaining my understanding of how it works. As someone who considers the Bible to be a fictional allegory, I don't care if other people think it contradicts the theory of evolution or not.

From Wikipedia: "An early thinker in what grew to become the study of evolution, Lucretius believed nature experiments endlessly across the aeons, and the organisms that adapt best to their environment have the best chance of surviving." From De Rerum Natura.

AkioTsukino · M

@LeopoldBloom

I don't want to argue with you, I'm just explaining my understanding of how it works. As someone who considers the Bible to be a fictional allegory, I don't care if other people think it contradicts the theory of evolution or not.

Okay. Good. You and I should get along fine.

From Wikipedia: "An early thinker in what grew to become the study of evolution, Lucretius believed nature experiments endlessly across the aeons, and the organisms that adapt best to their environment have the best chance of surviving." From De Rerum Natura.

Fine. Doesn't contradict the Biblical kinds. By the way, I wanted a source, Wiki doesn't give one for that. Not that I doubt it, or even that it really is relevant. Interesting, yes. I was just curious. I can give you quotes from Aristotle, Empedocles, Anaximander, Anaxagoras, but not Lucretius.

LeopoldBloom · M

@AkioTsukino I saw the actual verse many years ago. I can't find it now other than that same Wikipedia article.

The reason Darwin is important isn't because he came up with the theory; it's because he made the necessary rigorous observations to support it, and because for the most part, his theory is still a valid explanation of observed phenomena.

I don't think evolution contradicts the Bible, but I don't care if it does.