Why is evolution controversial only in the US?

[Plyco678]

Its that simple.

Bleh. Sounds like anti-American to me.

[Vanoi]

Its because Americans have a problem reconciling their own modern history of imperialistic surplus, and older history of genocide and inequity.

Americans, WANT all the living standard that is brought by imperialism, banana republics etc, but since they also want to believe that america is the land of the free and brave, it is subconsiously easier, to find a vehicle of delusion, rather than face real objective morality, and the hard road it would be, to obtain the same standard of living, on a fair, equitable basis, than it is to simply dillude oneself, witrh a vehicle, that allows oneself to lie to oneself about the nature of reality, and why they have what they have, rather than earn it in a moral way.

America the land of the free? When slavery was only outlawed, one hundered years later, than all other large civilized western countries? after people had established their capital empires and land rights? Civil rights not even possible until 1964?

Its much easier to lie to oneself, than to clean up ones game. Its much easier to lie to oneself, than feel the tremendous amount of guilt, that would only be, objective. Its much easier to wield capital to protect ones ill-gotten gains, than share the wealth, and compete on an even playing field. to teach their children early,anything other than a vehicle of dillusion, would be to threaten their own stilted belief system, into a collapse, and possibly, a terriifying recognition of guilt and even possibly a fear of quite justified retribution.

Establish faith rather than objective morality, and one can paint the world however one wants in a consumerist orgy, with little guilt, little feeling of responsibility, and a care only for ones own direct circle of companions.

Native americans? -dont have souls, - kill them and take their land
Taking the land? Manifest destiny and god's will
Slavery? see Native Americans
Banana Republics? Spreading the word of missionaries and saving people, while exploiting them
Modern responsibility for all this? Hey, I already lied to myself about the nature of reality, now let me in the same manner, lie to myself about not taking responsibility for all this, and just find some story that sounds good to my inner sense of entitlement, if i just say it every time i feel uncomfortable, eventually i'll believe it, and its SO much easier than actually DOING anything, this big screen, mustang v8, and pizza, will distract me...

I think we all know the answer, we just dont want the responsibility of the guilt, nor do we want to work any harder, for what we've been given so easily, compared to the rest of the world.

I'm not saying anything, that you all didnt already know inside, if you have a grasp of history.

And before you flame, ask yourself, are you angry that I pulled back the obvious curtain, or do you actually have a objective, unself-serving argument? This should be no revelation, to someone not lying to themselves, about the world, history, and the nature of reality staring them in the face.

Jesus, would be horrified, by how people, have twisted his message. The church of the anti-Christ has been with us since the council of Nicea, if not earlier, wake up, and love your brother as you would have them love you.

Its that simple.

And this has to do with evolution how? Or is it just another anti-America rant?

[Vonwolfi]

BTW, i'm an American.

I'm an American, that believes in walking the talk of 'land of the free and brave'. I am not anti-american, i am anti-hypocrite.

How does this relate? I believe I referenced it, but maybe i shouldve made it a larger part of the post.

When you choose a lie, as the foundation of your reality, your reality can be shaped thereafter, by any self serving lie, that vaguely explains ones unobjective view of the world, and denies objective responsibility.

These same people 'choose' a lie, over reality, so that they can also lie about every other action, and not subject themselves to equitable justice.

So, a denial of evolution, and a parental political fight to deny the teaching of evolution to their children, serves the purpose, of establiushing a false reality and perpetuating it to the next generation, that can then be, by parallel dismisal of reality for a conveniently believed lie, be moulded into any responsiblity denying further lie, one can construct, to deny guilt responsibilty, equity, and objective justice, to preserve ones ill-gotten gains and banana republic dependent consumerist orgy.

Its perpetuating a convienient lie as truth rather than facing the guilt, responsibility and equity, that would come with believing in science and reality.

I'm NOT anti-american, i just REALLY believe in what America says its all about, while others rap themselves in it and its flag, as cover for their inhumane behavior.

Thus, I am explaining why americans choose in greater numbers, to deny evolution - Its a convenient lie, that perpetuates a lack of guilt and accountabilty, for the reprecussions of their actions. If the foundation of one's reality is a lie to oneself, then one enables oneself to lie much easier to oneself about EVERY other otherwise rationally immoral action, that might paint them in a negative light, when its obvious that an objective and unbiased assessment, would be painful, negative, and not so pretty. Makes it easier to just eat that pizza and watch that football game, with no sense of guilt over how that option was created in the first place, through slavery, land grabbing, imperialism and puppet governments, and exploitation of other countries for their resources.

Has america done some good things? Sure. Does it have some unique aspects, that should be idealized? Sure. But using a denial of reality/evolution, as avehicle for further self serving lies, is not one of them, and its exactly why people cling to it, because its convenient, and an excuse for not practicing rational, equitable, responsible, behavior.

[Lord Rahl]

I have a firm belief that it is not evolution itself that is controversial. It is simply an easy subject to target as being controversial.

I've honestly not met a single adult who truly questions evolution's legitimacy as the best theory we have for how species change. I have, however, met adults that are skeptical of evolution because of their ignorance of it. They don't like it because they believe it goes against their beliefs, no matter the facts. In schools, however, I have yet to come across any teacher, science or not, that believes evolution to be controversial, and I've been to many schools, having been a substitute teacher for on and off for awhile now.

I see evolution as a scapegoat by the religious community to say their religious beliefs are being attacked. And it only makes it worse for them that evolution is taught to all of their children. Attacking evolution is easy because it's easily misunderstood and in a basic way can be said to "disagree" with a very fundamental religious (Christian) belief, that God created life and all of the species (and yes, I know evolution is not about how life started). When polled, some religious people will say that they don't believe in evolution. Why? Because they believe it contradicts their personal religious beliefs, not because the theory isn't well-supported and established as fact. So, you see that the evolution controversy isn't necessarily about the theory itself. It's about the religious person reacting to what they think is an attack or contradiction to their beliefs. And if their beliefs are being attacked they will primarily decide to fight back against the supposed attack.

Most people live their lives just like everyone else and don't think or care about evolution because it really doesn't matter to them, but once evolution, a seeming attack on their religious beliefs, is put in front of them they will react.

I hope that makes some sense.

And I don't have much understanding of what the previous post's author is attempting to argue. That religious Americans believe in a lie so that they can live their lives irresponsibly and... something about consumerism. What?

[IronBrig4]

Evolution is the DEVIL!

How is this joker on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology?

[Knight of Heaven]

Evolution is the DEVIL!

How is this joker on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology?

dam you beat me to it.

[Frostwulf]

To say that the creationists are without merit or scientific relevance is of complete ignorance. Has anyone ever bothered to look at the credentials of some of the creationists? Have you looked at how they came to their conclusions, or did you just read rebuttals by evolutionists and not bother? How many here actually took time to read what Celticempire put a link to? Or as I have read already that most just dismissed this as unscientific and not bother.

We conclude-unexpectedly-that there is little evidence for the neo-Darwinian view: its theoretical foundations and the experimental evidence supporting it are weak

There are of course many others like this(have any changed position?), and I respect those like Coyne, Shapiro,Endler, etc. who are trying to find out what works and what doesn't, and will say opposing views if necessary. This also extends to the creationists who do the same(Jason Lisle is the only one I can think of atm).

Ill just put down what I have on another thread:
I read this quote: "there are the facts, and then there is the interpretation of the facts", this expressly holds true in sciences. Creationism and evolution should both be bashed when using bad methods or when the interpretation of the facts are misused, and both sides are guilty of this. Most of you on this forum should not make the mistake of believing that your faith(creation or evolution) is based on anything else but faith! The majority of those who believe in evolution/religion on this forum know very little of what they believe (let alone what the other side believes), they have faith in these because someone or some book said so. Very few have seen the empirical evidence for themselves and simply accept what is placed before them, that is faith indeed.

[Dragus]

Evolution is the DEVIL!

How is this joker on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology?

Because the house is currently controlled by socially-conservative republicans who profiteer from anti-intellectualism and hate-mongering.