Evolution Flashcards
What is evolution?
the process of mutation and natural selection that leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environments
who is Charles Darwin and what did he say about evolution?
•he is a famous scientist from the 1800s and came up with the theory of evolution
•he said “it is not the strongest species that survive but the ones that are responsive to change”
How might the idea of evolution impact someone’s life?
The belief of evolution might cause someone to question if God really exists. They might question why an omnibenevolent God would use evolution to create species instead of just creating them perfectly so extinction would not happen.
What do Catholics believe about evolution?
Catholics accept the theory of evolution and believe as Pope John Paul II said “there is no conflict between evolution and the doctrine of faith”.
Why do Catholics accept evolution?
*As they believe the Genesis creation story is symbolic and not literal, they are able to accept the theory of evolution as one of God’s days in the story of creation could be millions or billions of days therefore when God said “let us make mankind in our image” in Genesis 1, it could have taken years to do so.
*they believe evolution is just how God chose to create humans and does not undermine God’s role as creator
*they would say that the purpouse of Genesis is more about teaching them God’s quaities so it is the idea of God having a loving plan for humans that is more important rather then the process of evolution itself
How might a Catholic belief in evolution impact them?
They may be open to more scientific theories like the big bang while still believing that God is an omnipotent and omniscient creator
Why do humanists accept evolution and why is this a weak argument ?
*humanists like Richard Dawkins believe evolution is more logical and makes more sense than a God creating life on earth as he said that evolution has “no purpose in mind” so therefore had no God guiding the process
*they might argue that as organisms with flawed genes become extinct, it wouldn’t make sense for an omnibenelovent God to allow his creation to become extinct
-may be a weak argument as Catholics believe God has a plan for everyone therefore as “God is love” the idea that some animals become extinct could have been part of his plan
What do fundamentalist Christians believe about evolution?
•many creationist Christians reject the idea of evolution and see it as undermining God’s role as creator
•they believe the book of Genesis should be taken literally so therefore evolution is contrary to their beliefs
