Friday, June 06, 2008

Ostriches and Flat-Earthers

I'm deep in the weeds of understanding the evidence for evolution, and there's a lot of it out there. (Actually, a lot of it is available on-line! Maybe I'll try to catalog what I'm finding somehow.) All the evidence has me thinking about how I have probably been an ostrich regarding all of the evidence. I've had my head stuck in the sand, and I'm beginning to realize why many non-religious scientists get so frustrated with Creationists. With all of the evidence for evolution out there, it's like we're a bunch of Flat Earthers.

My son passed me a link to the Flat Earth society. I'm not sure how he found it, but he's good with technology like that. He didn't even know I was thinking about ostriches and flat earthers. Click on the header of this post, if you have a moment, and take a look at what they say and believe. Honestly, they sound so wacko that I can't tell if it's a joke or not! Are there really people today who believe that the Earth is really flat?

We all look down on Flat Earthers. "How dumb?". "Who would believe that in this day and age?". "Don't they know anything about science!". Now, though, I'm really seeing Creationist views from the other side. People who know the evidence for evolution have to be just as dumfounded about the statement, "I don't believe in evolution," as we all are about, "The Earth is really flat."

I'm a little scared of what I'm learning about evolution. It challenges my understanding of Genesis 1, and of course, that cracks the door to challenges to my understanding of all of Scripture. I don't want to be an ostrich, though. I really don't want to keep my head in the sand anymore. I want to know. My faith tells me that the truth really will make me free, and I don't want to be afraid anymore.

2 comments:

JNoah said...

Of course, I feel similarly when I hear someone say, "I think people are basically good." Are you kidding?! There's so much evidence in the Bible and in real life to the contrary. How can you think humans are basically good?!

I just hope you don't wind up like Columbus did in his attempt to disprove the "flat-earthers." But if you do end up losing your mind and mumbling to yourself, I'll come visit you!

Anonymous said...

I am very interested in hearing your opinion of a DVD call "The Case for a Creator" It does not promote religion and is based on science. You can order it off the website Illustramedia.com. Please do not be put off by the title. It is by scientists and provides an argument for evolution. I believe every person involved in the teaching of science should view it but when I have even offered it to people to view (teachers, principals) they do not want it. It makes me sad that there are a lot of closedminded people in a field that should be open to conflicting ideas. It is only about 60 minutes and I would live to receive your views on it. Thanks Dianne Billen
billend1@yahoo.com