An Argument for Theism from Evolution

How we can know that theism is highly advantaged, under an Atheistic framework, or a theistic framework.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Theism
• Advantage
• Evolution

[psychosavant]

I'm going to have to shut down for a moment here. This has been a great discussion so far! Unfortunately it's something I typically do along side my work while I'm.. well, at work. And it's about time for me to head out soon. You're a smart guy. I look forward to further encounters. Feel free to continue replying, you can most certainly expect that I'll read them when I get home, even if I don't immediately reply.

[gnosisandlight]

You as well. I love to talk with people like you. You sound like reasonable and smart guy (or gal I don't know). Have a good one.

[psychosavant]

Let's not forget that the world doesn't have to be dependent on one single thing. Democracy, a flawed but important part of our lives, is only required for our nation to exist as it is. It is not a requirement for the advancement of society. Government, maybe, but just because something is a part of what allows our civilization to exist, doesn't mean that other things cannot accompany that requirement, such as the gain of knowledge.

[gnosisandlight]

I agree with you 100% here.

[sjh7132]

I don't think most Atheists would argue that religion didn't have some evolutionary advantage to hold tribes together in man's past. Just like our drive to eat sweet things made ancient man seek out foods high in energy. Now that same drive is a disadvantage and makes us overweight. In the same way religion once helped primitive man, but now hurts our society.

[blaiser11]

Even if you make the argument that religion has advantages, in no way does that mean that religion is true. "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." It is very true that religion can be advantageous, but I think that is a trivial point and no one really cares about it. What should be questioned is whether or not religion is true or false.

Seeking the truth is much better than coming up with reasons on why being delusional is useful.

[legion1a]

Atheists don't kill the people that disagree with them.

The Bible and the Qur'an both instruct you to kill infidels, not just Atheists, but also people with a different faith.

Most wars are inspired by religions.

I call that "toxic".

The point is missed here about how evolution disproves the delusion of theism.

Evolution disproves the book of Genesis.

There was no Adam and Eve, Talking Snake or Original Sin.

There never was a Fall From Grace.

Jesus had no sin to pay for on the cross.

Science won

[MrBoingts]

fair point, but it does not make religion true. Religion may have been the glue that kept societies together in good and bad times which helped us proposer, but it does not make it true.

[colmeweb]

The simple answer to your question is this. Evolution is related to biological traits, not social traits. Slavery has been around since the beginning of humanity, but few would say that it is culturally or morally advantageous. Men of status wore powdered wigs for about 300 years in Europe, I can see no way that help[ed them spread their genes.

Religion is a social phenomena, and therefore is outside the realm of evolution.

[GenghisKhan44]

Oh. I thought this would be an argument against Intelligent Design theory, not against atheistic evolution. Both are incorrect, and religion is not only true but necessary. I agree with you.

There is more to life than Darwin, Freud, Smith, and Marx, people.

[foobee2]

Short answer to your question. Things do not succeed because their are advantageous. Being advantageous only gives a particular trait a more likely chance of being passed down. Also, an emotional response such as love can be a result of that emotion lending survivability to a child. Something like religion or spiritual belief is not an evolutionary trait, it is a group dynamic. The biochemical processes that lead to the desire to latch onto religion, however, could be from an evolutionary cause.

[nadskofhqwak]

@hiks45 im saying god is there to fill in the whole left by horrific happenings. note i never said he exists, yet most humans are not yet clairvoyant enough to get through said happenings i.e. seing a resolution in their conflicts. you will notice most firm believers in religion gained faith through something unfortunate happening to them. also people do evil shit unless they are fearful of retribution.

[sunshineuklondon1965]

I always wonder why people presume God can only exist if he's good. One might at a push argue the bible's claim of a loving God false, but the idea that only a loving God could have made us and that evil is an argument for atheism is ridiculous.

[hiks45]

@nadskofhqwak so god causes horrific things to happen to people so that they will discover him and be less depressed?

where is the logic in that

[theUKatheist]

the most religious countries have the highest rates for ALL crimes.

QUESTION, why are you talking about advantages of religion or evolution and comparing evolution to religion as similar subjects? you do know that they are not connected that way right?

there are MANY MANY Theists who accept evolution, because its proven, there's atheists who cant decide if evolution is true or if there's other explanations. religion and evolution are totally SEPARATE subjects! your arguments are nonsensical

[hiks45]

athiesm is growing throughout the population of humans, thus we are evolving to beings of logic