150 YEARS OF THE DEBATE
There seems to be a lull in Creation/Evolution debates now that court cases about how it should be taught or not taught in schools are not in the news each day. The attempt to make such debates a God versus Science contest should be abandoned.
A CASE OF AQUIRED COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
The debates represent an unrecognized case of cognitive dissonance that was acquired shortly after Darwin presented his evolution ideas in the The Origin of Species as was noted in my 12th post "Darwin and God "[ http://evolutioninsights.blogspot.com/2013/06/darwin-and-god.html ].
I never connected the debates to cognitive dissonance until today (July 10, 2015) even though I had blogged about it [ http://evolutioninsights.blogspot.com/2013/05/creativity-and-cognitive-dissonance.html ] and had talked about the pertinent opposing concepts on the first page of my manuscript's preface that can be read in my post [http://evolutioninsights.blogspot.com/2014/03/evolution-insights-preface.html ].
The clash of ideas did not start with Darwin, he was originally viewing evolution as the work of the Creator. But the vocal views of colleagues that science proved evolution and disproved any possibility of a spiritual component in the process was soon countered by vehement objections that it couldn't be true since evolution contradicted some of the literal interpretations of the creation stories in the biblical book of Genesis.
Vocal scientists and religious leaders kept the controversy going by overstating their cases in a way excluding the possibility of both having truths that are not mutually exclusive. So when each side convinces you of the truth of their position it becomes a case of acquired cognitive dissonance.
MERGING THE VIEWS eliminates the dissonance if you can grasp the truth of each position.
Many of my posts are intended to help people along the way to such peaceful coexistence of science and spirituality.
Joseph G. Engemann Kalamazoo, Michigan July 10, 2015
Showing posts with label creation-evolution debate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creation-evolution debate. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2015
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Evolution Insights: Preface
The following is the first page of the Preface, page ix-xi, in Evolution Insights, a manuscript by Joseph G. Engemann, in prepublication draft six, dated February 5, 2010.
Preface
God created the world and all that is in it, including humans. God is not in conflict with God. All God-loving people should agree those two statements are true. With free will, a gift of our loving God, we have the ability to introduce error and conflict in ideas and actions. Both believers and scientists have been at odds in the past over conflicts we have introduced.
Some believers want to use scripture for truths not meant to be conveyed by scripture. Some scientists want to use science to falsify religious truths. A true understanding of both scripture and science would produce no conflict for a true believer. Both believers and scientists have entered the fray with the intention of presenting the truth. Although we may regret the problems we have caused, there is no need to harbor guilt over mistakes done with good intentions.
The basic premise that enables us to eliminate the creation/evolution conflict is the fact that the evidence of evolution is as much the word of God as is the religious truth of scripture. Both nature and scripture may be misinterpreted. We may not know the correct path evolution has taken because all the needed evidence may not be available. We may not recognize God's message in scripture when we lack adequate understanding of the context of the original texts. Knowing what is parable, what is only common understanding of the day, and what is opinion of the writer, could clarify the message.
If we understand God used evolution in creation, the creation/evolution conflict disappears. It is my hope that future generations of biologists may find answers here to avoid the stumbling block to belief faced by our generation. Many biology teachers seem to be resolving the conflict on their own. For them, I reassure them they are not alone. It is my hope that Creation Scientists may also see that evolution is not a theological problem that requires refutation. In their laudable efforts to serve God, they have placed roadblocks in the road to belief for many. Consequently, moral decisions about scientific projects are given less chance of acceptance. Adversarial aspects in the relationship of science and religion are unnecessary.
[the remaining page+ is omitted]
Joseph G. Engemann, Kalamazoo, Michigan March 12, 2014
Preface
God created the world and all that is in it, including humans. God is not in conflict with God. All God-loving people should agree those two statements are true. With free will, a gift of our loving God, we have the ability to introduce error and conflict in ideas and actions. Both believers and scientists have been at odds in the past over conflicts we have introduced.
Some believers want to use scripture for truths not meant to be conveyed by scripture. Some scientists want to use science to falsify religious truths. A true understanding of both scripture and science would produce no conflict for a true believer. Both believers and scientists have entered the fray with the intention of presenting the truth. Although we may regret the problems we have caused, there is no need to harbor guilt over mistakes done with good intentions.
The basic premise that enables us to eliminate the creation/evolution conflict is the fact that the evidence of evolution is as much the word of God as is the religious truth of scripture. Both nature and scripture may be misinterpreted. We may not know the correct path evolution has taken because all the needed evidence may not be available. We may not recognize God's message in scripture when we lack adequate understanding of the context of the original texts. Knowing what is parable, what is only common understanding of the day, and what is opinion of the writer, could clarify the message.
If we understand God used evolution in creation, the creation/evolution conflict disappears. It is my hope that future generations of biologists may find answers here to avoid the stumbling block to belief faced by our generation. Many biology teachers seem to be resolving the conflict on their own. For them, I reassure them they are not alone. It is my hope that Creation Scientists may also see that evolution is not a theological problem that requires refutation. In their laudable efforts to serve God, they have placed roadblocks in the road to belief for many. Consequently, moral decisions about scientific projects are given less chance of acceptance. Adversarial aspects in the relationship of science and religion are unnecessary.
[the remaining page+ is omitted]
Joseph G. Engemann, Kalamazoo, Michigan March 12, 2014
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