Why don't all religious sects accept THEISTIC evolution like the Catholic Church does? (Buddhists, genesis)

[BigCityDreamer]

Theistic evolution is the position that biological evolution happened pretty much the way that's been discovered by science, but it was also spiritually guided by God. Therefore, humans and all life on earth were created by God through evolution.

This seems to be a very sensible position from a religious point of view and it doesn't deny scientific evidence. So why is theistic evolution or something like it not accepted by all religions? Why the controversy?

[MasterChief]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Theistic evolution is the position that biological evolution happened pretty much the way that's been discovered by science, but it was also spiritually guided by God. Therefore, humans and all life on earth were created by God through evolution.

This seems to be a very sensible position from a religious point of view and it doesn't deny scientific evidence. So why is theistic evolution or something like it not accepted by all religions? Why the controversy?

Because number one, it goes against scripture. Scripture tells us God created it...not evolution. Genesis doesn't say it took millions of years...it took 7. An in-context reading of Genesis simply doesn't lead one to conclude that theistic evolution took place.

Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God.

[rifleman]

Because there's no common belief system nor common sense associated with the Abrahamic Christianity. It's all over the map, but the RC Church is far too large and influential to allow itself to look totally stupid.

I mean, let's remember that there really are fringe Christian groups that believe that there are Evil™ Godless Aliens* [*EGAs? Oh. My. God. NO!] regularly visiting [oh and then abducting and experimenting on..] us by hiding behind inbound comets. And injecting those who later become atheists with some secret Evil™ vaccination! You betcha!

But let's also remember; Evolution [and it's precursor Abiogenesis] will shortly be rather easily demonstrated and even duplicated in the science lab, {soon to be available with volume discounts from Fischer Scientific!) in high-school science kit form.

Now won't that create some controversy in the disparate local churches, huh?

Stand by for those fireworks, BCD!

Image Detail for - http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/upload/2011/07/weekend_diversion_the_physics/fireworks11.jpeg

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A late-add after reading MasterChef's insightful perspective: as in: "Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God."

Well perhaps but... life itself is also demonstrably cruel and yet efficient. You'd otherwise have it how exactly? All cuddly and loving? Since that is not what we actually see out there, when a polar bear kills and eats a seal pup. But that's all OK if God directs it? But not so if it's Evolution-based inherent behavior? Hmmm...Logic, you ellusive entity!

Evolution is also exactly responsible for the survival of the fittest, creating the best set of "tools" for the most efficient use of the limited available resources on this planet. It has also lead inexorably to us, the current human transitional form, somewhere in it's long trip towards, well, whatever. You, MasterChef, are a potential "Missing Link", though you are just not missing so far. But... a few thousand years after you're dead and buried, with no remnants of your bones left to easily find and toe-tag, we also won't be able to find the Missing Link that you represent!

[MasterChief]

Originally Posted by rifleman

But let's also remember; Evolution [and it's precursor Abiogenesis] will shortly be rather easily demonstrated and even duplicated in the science lab, {soon to be available with volume discounts from Fischer Scientific!) in high-school science kit form.

We've been hearing that for quite awhile now...and it hasn't. You have no real reason to believe Abiogenesis is even a legitimate answer...except that without creation, you have no alternative...so you cling to it.

Now won't that create some controversy in the disparate local churches, huh?

A late-add after reading MasterChef's insightful perspective: as in: "Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God."

Well perhaps but... life itself is also demonstrably cruel and yet efficient. You'd otherwise have it how exactly? All cuddly and loving? Since that is not what we actually see out there, when a polar bear kills and eats a seal pup. But that's all OK if God directs it? But not so if it's Evolution-based inherent behavior? Hmmm...Logic, you ellusive entity!

Yes. It is. That's how it was designed.

Evolution is also exactly responsible for the survival of the fittest, creating the best set of "tools" for the most efficient use of the limited available resources on this planet.

Wrong. Natural selection is the idea of the strong surviving. But that has not been proven to lead to evolution.

It has also lead inexorably to us, the current human transitional form, somewhere in it's long trip towards, well, whatever. You, MasterChef, are a potential "Missing Link", though you are just not missing so far. But... a few thousand years after you're dead and buried, with no remnants of your bones left to easily find and toe-tag, we also won't be able to find the Missing Link that you represent!

You'll need to pardon my skepticism.

[TRANSPONDER]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Theistic evolution is the position that biological evolution happened pretty much the way that's been discovered by science, but it was also spiritually guided by God. Therefore, humans and all life on earth were created by God through evolution.

This seems to be a very sensible position from a religious point of view and it doesn't deny scientific evidence. So why is theistic evolution or something like it not accepted by all religions? Why the controversy?

I get the feeling that they have enough problems without - as Rifleman says - further denting their credibility by deciding to throw in with the Creationsts.

[BigCityDreamer]

By the way, it's not only Catholics. The vast majority (around 80%) of Buddhists, Hindus and Jews accept evolution. Even most mainline Protestants do.

Pew Forum: Religious Groups' Opinions of Evolution

[egaanand]

Hindu concept is closely related to the evolution.the avatars of vishnu is closely related to the evolution.

Theistic evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[irish_bob]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

Because number one, it goes against scripture. Scripture tells us God created it...not evolution. Genesis doesn't say it took millions of years...it took 7. An in-context reading of Genesis simply doesn't lead one to conclude that theistic evolution took place.

Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God.

do you live in your own ensealed bubble , people die from disease and famine let alone animals , if god is behind all life rather than evolution , then surely god is horribley cruel

[Fillmont]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

Because number one, it goes against scripture. Scripture tells us God created it...not evolution. Genesis doesn't say it took millions of years...it took 7. An in-context reading of Genesis simply doesn't lead one to conclude that theistic evolution took place.

Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God.

Then either your god lied, as evolution has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, or god it's all been some elaborate ploy to trick people, which makes your god really silly.

[Fullback32]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

Number 2....evolution is a horribly cruel and terrible thing. Animals mutating and dying out from starvation or whatever....that's horrible. I believe God is a good and just God.

Yet extinctions happen nevertheless. So either extinctions happen in the natural world or God caused it to happen. The result is the same either way is it not?