Willful Ignorance of Evolution?

[_Some Schmo]

For the longest time, I felt that people who rejected evolution did so because it contradicted the creation myth, and you can't be messing with the myths people hold dear to them, or in which they've invested.

But after watching the Nova documentary on the Dover trial, it occurs to me that there could be a more pervasive reason, and that is that good, accurate information about evolution is actually blocked by people with a creationist's agenda. They continually misrepresent what evolution is all about, and seem willfully ignorant to the truth about it.

There will always be people who will deny the preponderance of evidence that supports evolution strictly on religious grounds, but do you think that people who aren't so invested would be turned around on the issue if the myths surrounding evolution weren't continually perpetuated by religious types?

I can't help but think that most would, if they both understood the concepts and were made aware of the vast body of supporting evidence. I mean, how can one make a valid conclusion with distorted and/or missing information?

[_Moniker]

There will always be people who will deny the preponderance of evidence that supports evolution strictly on religious grounds, but do you think that people who aren't so invested would be turned around on the issue if the myths surrounding evolution weren't continually perpetuated by religious types?

I think they would be turned around, quite possibly. I always start by introducing evolution as NOT attacking God. Evolution does not delve into the origins of life. Many Christians actually do accept the theory of evolution.

Myths are rampant and the creationists spin the theory and attack their strawmen. People that aren't willing to learn about the theory merely repeat the myths ad nauseum as if they were refuting the theory completely unaware of the myth they've adopted as truth.

[_The Nehor]

Another issue is that there is evolution as science suggests it and popular evolution which is a modern myth.

[_Some Schmo]

There will always be people who will deny the preponderance of evidence that supports evolution strictly on religious grounds, but do you think that people who aren't so invested would be turned around on the issue if the myths surrounding evolution weren't continually perpetuated by religious types?

I think they would be turned around, quite possibly. I always start by introducing evolution as NOT attacking God. Evolution does not delve into the origins of life. Many Christians actually do accept the theory of evolution.

Myths are rampant and the creationists spin the theory and attack their strawmen. People that aren't willing to learn about the theory merely repeat the myths ad nauseum as if they were refuting the theory completely unaware of the myth they've adopted as truth.

Exactly.

One of my favorites is that "we came from apes." Talk about a fundamental misunderstanding. Having a common ancestor as apes is not the same as apes turning into people.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

Another issue is that there is evolution as science suggests it and popular evolution which is a modern myth.

Exactly. Shortcoming all around.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

I like this one:

[_The Nehor]

There will always be people who will deny the preponderance of evidence that supports evolution strictly on religious grounds, but do you think that people who aren't so invested would be turned around on the issue if the myths surrounding evolution weren't continually perpetuated by religious types?

I think they would be turned around, quite possibly. I always start by introducing evolution as NOT attacking God. Evolution does not delve into the origins of life. Many Christians actually do accept the theory of evolution.

Myths are rampant and the creationists spin the theory and attack their strawmen. People that aren't willing to learn about the theory merely repeat the myths ad nauseum as if they were refuting the theory completely unaware of the myth they've adopted as truth.

Exactly.

One of my favorites is that "we came from apes." Talk about a fundamental misunderstanding. Having a common ancestor as apes is not the same as apes turning into people.

"Earth men are not proud of their ancestors and never invite them round for dinner."

[_Moniker]

I like this one:

I've seen that posted before on MAD. Was that you? Why not do a lil prose to go along with your cartoon? Is this really occurring?

The only rabid anti-evolutionist on this site is the one being rude and calling others ignorant. If I for one moment thought that Coggins was actually attempting to understand the theory (rather than running to websites which is his modus operandi to do his thinking for him) I would give him a bit of slack.

[_Some Schmo]

I like this one:

It might be funny if it contained a grain of truth.

Now if it were a Christian class discussing creation and the roles were reversed... now you have something with a basis in reality, although I'm not sure it would be funny as much as pathetic and pitiable.

[_The Nehor]

I like this one:

I've seen that posted before on MAD. Was that you? Why not do a lil prose to go along with your cartoon? Is this really occurring?

The only rabid anti-evolutionist on this site is the one being rude and calling others ignorant. If I for one moment thought that Coggins was actually attempting to understand the theory (rather than running to websites which is his modus operandi to do his thinking for him) I would give him a bit of slack.

That comes from a Jack Chick comic. If you take any of them seriously in any way, you've either missed the point or you're a lunatic Christian. If you're bored, google his site and read a few. It's one of those laugh yourself to death while wondering how humanity has survived this long with people like this in it.