With all the evidence for the theory of evolution, why do some people still believe otherwise?

I suppose it's because that's what they believe. Faith is a difficult thing to explain. I know some people that have a very strong faith and hence so are their believes in a creator.

We can't all fit in the one box; it would make life dull and boring. I keep an open mind on all things, but I would never condemn another's believes or ideas because they don't match mine.

As for the scientists they will always seek out the unknown; investigate the origins and put a name on it, because facts and figures are safe to them; to believe in a higher being that has no founding no abode; that's not safe; therefore it cannot be.

“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance with his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.”-Bertrand Russel.

The only problem is that most professional evolutionists (professors and researchers) will not debate religious people simply because it is not worth their time. The idea of evolution through natural selection is so fundamental to them, that it is a waste of time to argue someone who refuses to accept it. The only reason people believe in religious texts is because they are old and have been around forever.

If you tried to introduce the New Testament today, most people would think it was a bunch of B.S.

I vote for robot gremlins commanded by giant masturbating sun gods....and magic. It's more believable than most Biblical tales anyway.

The theory of evolution, notably natural selection, is one of the most misunderstood theories out there. The general public assumes, or are led to assume, that animals "choose" their own characteristics.

Unfortunately religious states in the US (in the South) don't even allow teachers to cover evolution in school. I had to learn about it through books on my own time when I lived in Oklahoma.

I blame both blind religion and scientists who can't seem to dumb it down for the populace. It's a shame.

I guess it's a theory like many others and it does work to certain extent.

In the same way as classical physics laws work in everyday situations however when we start looking closer, on a smaller quantum scale they are not useful anymore.

It's a theory so there is no need to believe in it or not, it simply explains certain effects we observe in nature.

As it doesn't explain everything fully there is a space for more theories. Frankly, science is not able to explain everything just yet so we can as well call it magic :).

Because they're indoctrinated as a child, when they cannot know any better.

It's your responsibility, as a person of faith, to integrate the reality of life into your beliefs about spirituality.

If you fight off things like science, to provide security for your faiths, then you're doing it wrong.

Yes, some people don't believe in evolution. It has to do with ego and a lack of understanding.

The evidence for evolution of species is pretty compelling. I tend to believe that evidence and the conclusions that can be drawn from it.

It's also possible God used alien friends to genetically engineer Homo sapiens from existing species stock. Like I say, we just don't know.

Scientists are pretty clever. I've had a measure of cleverness myself, but in all humility, we just don't know everything.

I've seen some of that so-called "magic. " It's powerful stuff and for all the cleverness of science, it cannot explain something that is outside the realm of continuity (physical reality). That would be like asking a farmer to explain a nuclear reactor; or asking a nuclear scientist to explain animal husbandry.

Some believers are pretty arrogant. They think their interpretation of the Bible is equal to that of God. Some skeptics are pretty arrogant, too, saying that "quoting from Holy books is not an explanation."

Certainly, some hold that "opinion.

Skepticism is not quite the right tool for scientists. In fact, for anyone searching for answers, humility and restraint are far better tools. Scientific method warns against bias, but skepticism has a built-in bias -- one of doubt.

Some scientists take it even further into unsupported dismissiveness or self-indulgent ridicule which have left objectiveness far behind and wallowed in subjectiveness.

Too many skeptics (believers and non-believers) have a hard time aiming that skepticism at their own beliefs. But like I said humility and restraint are better tools for both sides.

As far as I understand it, evolution does not say we descended from apes, it just says that we have a common ancestor - a statement proved by the fact that 99% of our DNA is shared with chimpanzees. I was not trying to arrogant when I said that quoting from holy books is not an answer, merely truthful. Ancient egyptian holy books (not that much older than the bible) state that the god Atum masturbated the universe into existence!

- You may chose to believe that, and it may be the last word in truth to his followers, but it doesn't help the rest of us very much.

I think that has to do with some people being of a scientific nature and other people are of a spiritual nature.

At the end of the day, yes science and the theory of evolution has shown us how the nuts and bolts of the universe may have come about - even this is still being argued about. But it doesn't explain all things such as creativity, emotions, dreams, the sub-conscious and so on. In addition, depending on your beliefs of course, it doesn't explain the spiritual element of life.

For me , and I don't follow any mainstream religion, science explains the physical world but the spiritual world follows it's own rules.

Wow there is a lot of religious/christian hubbers commenting here!

Ania L says:” it’s a theory so there is no need to believe in it or not, it simply explains certain effects we observe in nature.

Rickrideshorses- "you say science cannot be proven"...with current beliefs nor can intelligent design, OR religion.

Very true. Evolution of species to mean changing in form over time NOT TRUE! " -Exactly how can something in nature survive, WITHOUT changing in some way!

This is the very definition of Surviving! -To adapt, CHANGE, Mutate to a more successful result! You can see this with your own eyes in the rivers of the Congo!

You cannot believe in both concepts, that doesn't make sense! What you are saying is: in the beginning, there were all the animals, bugs, plants, trees, humans, and fish in the entire world created, by the wave of a hand...and we just...survived somehow, completely intact...without altering anything about our physical forms...all this time, until today? I’ve heard many religious people get stuck on that line of ‘we were apes’.

What exactly is it about that idea that bothers you all so much? Is it simply an ego/pride thing? This is all observable, readable, natural and physical fact!

DNA is not magical beliefs in books. It being a matter of 'Safe' is irrelevant.

Because the two are actually quite compatible with each other if you want them to be - meaning that anyone who has faith in God, or some other form of divine creation, can adapt scientific principles into their beliefs. And, any scientist can still believe that God, or some other form of divine creation, exists a few steps beyond whatever they currently understand about science. Einstein believed in God, afterall - even though his own view of God was of a much more impersonal and distant figure than you usually get.

As much as all the athiests of the world may want it to, science is never going to kill off the concept of faith.

Not everyone believes that Genesis is talking about the creation of something seen with the natural eye. The bible is a spiritual book and totally out of this world so the argument does not exist for certain people who believe science and also have a spiritual side to their lives. Both particular scientists and fundamentalist are arguing about something that people who wrote the bible never really argued about.

This means that both these fundamentalists and some particular scientists are blinkered in the area of spirituality. They want to prove they are cleverer than others and know more facts. Whether it is biblical or scientific knowledge it is the same disease.

They don't want to discuss the "purpose" of the bible and the need to care about one's fellow man.

It does not affect the way you treat others.

The Book of Genesis says "In the beginning God created" .. and Genesis is from Moses. Jesus taught people what the meaning of Moses is by saying "Do for others what you want them to do for you - This is the meaning/interpretation of the Law of Moses and the teachings of the Prophets" (Sermon on the Mount Mt 5-7).

So, if your interpretation of Genesis does not make you love other people and want to do good for your fellow man then you have misinterpreted the whole message. Both the scientist and christian fail the test because they waste people's time trying to show off their intellectualism or education and do absolutely NOTHING for others with the arguments that never end.

It all depends on your faith. I, for one, strongly believe that Someone up there made us all. So whatever theories of how we came to be will not easily get my belief.

After all, they are only theories.

People continue to believe that "Someone" created us because with all the scientific proof that evolution exists, there is also scientific proof that many things in the Holy books exist, as well. People choose to believe what they wish to believe and what makes them feel most comfortable and most alive. Those who choose to believe in evolution are comfortable with facts, people who choose to believe in creationism believe in faith.

I am not saying that each is exclusive to itself, either. For example, I believe in evolution to a point - after all - their is scientific proof. But my faith tells me that this whole universe started somewhere, sometime, before there was a science to prove...

And just something to ponder....once science told us the earth was flat....

Because it's just that: a theory. Many scientists are now turning against evolution and finding proof for creation. Even Darwin himself actually renounced his discoveries and turned to Christianity on his deathbed.

However much "evidence" there is for evolution, there is more evidence against it, such as the odds of it actually happening were 1 in 10 to the power of 100. There also lies the fact that the many scientists that believe in intelligent design have done so because of science actually proving it with accordance of the global flooding spoken of in the Bible. Not to mention that certain human qualities like love and ethics are things evolution wouldn't have given us.

Its unfortunate that you think quoting from holy-books is not an explanation... In my opinion, that's the only place to get real answers...but don't worry because I won't quote them on your question...

The theory of evolution is not entirely false...but again, it has many lies. There is no way you can convince me that you (or more precisely your great great great ancestors) were once apes. That's where I have a problem with evolution.

Natural selection? Very true. Survival for the fittest?

Very true. Evolution of species to mean changing in form over time e. G from ape to man?

NOT TRUE!

Intelligent design can not be explained by evolution. Only "Holy books" can explain that.

Darwin, himself, said that the theory was not valid before he died. I think people tend to believe evolution because they are taught this theory as truth throughout their entire education and if they believe otherwise they can't be "scientific. " There are actually many scientist out there who are not faith-based but just based on the science, alone, say that the Theory of Evolution does not have compelling evidence.

If you search different scientific theories that are out there, you may be surprised at how many other scientific and logical alternative there are to this theory. Oh..and one more thing. This does not mean that some of the parts of the theory are untrue--like natural selection is something that makes sense, but that is not the entire theory.

If there ANY FACTUAL EVIDENCE, then why is it still call the theory of evolution. Nothing wrong with you believing in something that made up. The number one problem in the ( to me this dumb ) theory is where the matter came from for man KNOW that matter can't bet made, only change from one from to another.

Firstky, because although there are much evidence to support it, it is still a theory we can not prove it, the same way we can prove gravity exisst.

Secondly, sometime when a person believe in something badly enough(E.g. Creationlism), they would refuse to believe otherwise and refuse to see reason.

Because the same way animals are traced by genes, it is easy for a creater to take and add to his creations. If they believe they can create a dinosaur, then do so and I "might" bite my words.

Also think about faith. Believing evolution does not gain you anything but it could hurt your chances of an afterlife, if one does so exist. By falsy believing the religion, you will eventually turn into a believer.

Those who believe in a God live longer, have happier lives, and adore those around them more so.

Also who would believe we came from rocks and soup.

I believe its because they have not been able to disprove the creation theory. Everytime someone thinks they can go public proving creation to be false, an even greater phenomenon occurs in favor of the creation. The creation was not done by magic but by the deliberate Will of an entity greater than we can begin to wrap our heads around.

I'll stick with the creation theory.

I believe it happend the way the bible says it happend.................

Because it's only a theory. Science cannot be proven.

That's what I would do. Confuse the crap out of us so we have these discussions and test people's faith.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.