Theory of Evolution and Belief in God

[OtherCheek]

For atheists:

Is it your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution that leads to your disbelief in God (Intelligent DisignER), or is it your disbelief in God that leads to your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution?

[Jaecp]

They aren't that related

Your OP is something of a false dichotmy

[seanD]

For atheists:

Is it your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution that leads to your disbelief in God (Intelligent DisignER), or is it your disbelief in God that leads to your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution?

I can't speak for atheists but I think the latter is true. This is the only thing that explains to me why atheists are so (religious-like) defensive and apologetic about it. Of course, that view can get countered when trying to explain why there is TE.

[OtherCheek]

They aren't that related

Your OP is something of a false dichotmy

Are there atheists who DON'T accept the theory of evolution? Can you name some?

[Jaecp]

How is that relevant?

[Chrawnus]

Are there atheists who DON'T accept the theory of evolution? Can you name some?

I don't think that was Jaecp's point.

I suspect most atheists (or evolutionists in general) would say that their belief in the TOE is because of the evidence in favor of it, regardless of what their beliefs about God are.

[OtherCheek]

I don't think that was Jaecp's point.

I suspect most atheists (or evolutionists in general) would say that their belief in the TOE is because of the evidence in favor of it, regardless of what their beliefs about God are.

But don't atheists see the two things as incompatible belief systems. Incompatible for atheists to embrace both the acceptance of TOE and God at the same time?

[OtherCheek]

How is that relevant?

Aren't the two belief systems incompatible and unable to co-exist in an atheist's mind? If they are truly incompatible with either in an atheist's mind, then which is more primary to an atheist? Is it their acceptance of evolution, or their rejection of an intelligent DesignER that precipitates the other. Remember, they cannot coexist in an atheist's mind.

[Jaecp]

But don't atheists see the two things as incompatible belief systems. Incompatible for atheists to embrace both the acceptance of TOE and God at the same time?

It's incompatible for atheists to embrace God at all

Aren't the two belief systems incompatible and unable to co-exist in an atheist's mind? If they are truly incompatible with either in an atheist's mind, then which is more primary to an atheist? Is it their acceptance of evolution, or their rejection of an intelligent DesignER that precipitates the other. Remember, they cannot coexist in an atheist's mind.

Depends on the atheist.

Imagine a Christian who believed in evolution who eventually became an atheist for reasons unrelated to either.

Now imagine a Christian who did not believe in evolution who became an atheist for reasons unrelated to either. Later on, that person takes biology class at college and learns about evolution and accepts it as the science that it is.

In both these cases, both orders are possible and independent. It's like that thing the FSM guy did about the decrease of pirates and the increased global temperature. He then proposed that the temperature was a result of not having enough pirates.

The thing about creationism, as it is rather specifically religious, does not entail that evolution is specifically irreligious.

[OtherCheek]

It's incompatible for atheists to embrace God at all

Conversely, it must be compatible for atheists to embrace the only dogma that exists that is counter to having an intelligent Designer (God)

So, which precipitates the other in an atheist's mind--between non-acceptance of God, and acceptance of evolution?

[Jaecp]

Conversely, it must be compatible for atheists to embrace the only dogma that exists that is counter to having an intelligent Designer (God)

So, which precipitates the other in an atheist's mind--between non-acceptance of God, and acceptance of evolution?

I edited my above post.

1. Atheists embracing god is contradictory.
2. People of every religion have members who accept evolution.
3. As I noted in my edit of the above post, they aren't related.

Chrawnus is correct, OC, and you should heed that.

[Chrawnus]

But don't atheists see the two things as incompatible belief systems. Incompatible for atheists to embrace both the acceptance of TOE and God at the same time?

No.

Well, I do know of cases where some atheists have maintained that "evolution has disproved God", but these tended to be the type of atheists who hadn't really thought the issue (or their position) through carefully. I don't believe that it's an issue for most atheists though.

Also, your question seem to be misguided, since they wouldn't be atheists anymore if they embraced a belief in God.

[Leonhard]

For atheists:

Is it your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution that leads to your disbelief in God (Intelligent DisignER), or is it your disbelief in God that leads to your acceptance of the Theory of Evolution?

Neither. This is a false dichotomy. I would hold to the Theory of Evolution regardless of whether I learned that God existed or not, simple on the basis of the overwhelming evidential support for it. Not from the fact that I don't believe in God. And while certain anachronistic arguments for God have been knocked down by the Theory of Evolution, the rest I believe are wrong from evaluating them on a case by case basis. And that's the basis I have for believing that there's no good reason to believe in God.

[Leonhard]

Are there atheists who DON'T accept the theory of evolution? Can you name some?

There are some and they are somewhat fringe, David Berlinski is an example.

[OtherCheek]

It's incompatible for atheists to embrace God at all



Depends on the atheist.

Imagine a Christian who believed in evolution who eventually became an atheist for reasons unrelated to either.

That is why I specified the "atheist's mind." As an atheist, he necessarily will accept evolution, IMO. Have you ever heard of one that doesn't?

I guess I should define what I mean by "evolution" better. Let's call it the notion of existence by accident. I don't know of any theist who believes in the accidental cause for existence.

Now imagine a Christian who did not believe in evolution who became an atheist for reasons unrelated to either. Later on, that person takes biology class at college and learns about evolution and accepts it as the science that it is.

That is why I specified the "atheist's mind." As an atheist, he necessarily will accept evolution, IMO. Have you ever heard of one that doesn't? So in this case acceptance of evolution rests upon atheism.