High School Biology
I am starting ninth grade biology. I know that we will be learning about evolution. I've been doing a lot of reading and have a very solid belief in creation. I was wondering how I should go about talking to my friends and other students about creation and the lie of evolution in and out of the classroom. I've tried talking a few times about it with my closest friends and it is sad to see that their beliefs are so firmly rooted in evolution that they have never questioned it. I fear not only for my friends but for my generation seeing as they have been taught nothing but evolution for their entire life. Many of them don't even believe in God. How can I show not only my friends, but other students, that evolution is wrong?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin Mooney on -
My suggestions would be:
1. Ask questions, especially questions that expose assumptions (for example, you can ask things like "how do we know that?" when it comes to evolutionary speculations about the past)
2. Watch for inconsistencies in the way evolutionists reason about things (for example, evolutionists say similarity means common ancestry, except for those times when similarities don't fit the theory, then they call it convergent evolution).
3. Be careful about definitions, especially when using the term "evolution." Ideally, you will want to make sure that you and whoever you are talking to agree on a definition and use it consistently.
4. Try to do your best in the class. If you get good grades on the tests, etc. it gives you credibility because it shows that you understand the worldview that you are rejecting
5. Be careful not to bring up creation at inappropriate times, but be ready to defend it in class in case you are given the opportunity (1 Peter 3:15). Sometimes teachers actually ask students who believe in creation to defend their position. This happened to one of my friends a couple years ago.
6. If you ask questions in class, and don't seem to be accomplishing anything, don't be discouraged. You never know who might be listening but just not speaking up. You may also plant seeds of doubt in the minds of those committed to the evolutionary worldview that God can use later.
7. Of course, always be respectful in your approach
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Permalink Reply by Richard K on -
Another approach, would involve insisting on an adequate education. For exa, the bacteria evolved into superbugs, in relation to our antibiotics. That is about as much 'education' as you will get on the subject. Now is the time to ask what the evolution process was. New genes mutated into superbug staus? I thought the mutation, caused the germ to lose the ability to adequately injest certain protiens and antibiotics. In fact these germs are actually genetic failures in comparison to what they used to be.
Another thing that is never taught about bacteria, is that they can swap genetic information between individuals. So this education system is deficient in many areas, because we can't talk about things that would cause students to think outside, of the evolutionary box.
Our 'education' system is being dumbed down for a very important reason.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Guiley on -
Actually, AIG had a great article on this very subject. Check it out here:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/08/28/feedback-creati...
I wish you good fortune, demonstrate the reliability of scripture, but also your grasp of the evolutionary view, so they know you know both sides.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Mabry on -
These are all excellent suggestions. I would just add, never be afraid to say, "I don't know, but I'll find out. Let me get back to you on that." Then, use the excellent research materials that are available online. I find www.answersingenesis.org is not only the easiest to search and find answers, but also the site that has the answer to almost any question you have. And, AiG's answers are provided by Christian scientists with excellent qualifications.
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Permalink Reply by Randy Goggin on -
My advice would be to not hit your friends and unbelieving classmates with too much at once in your conversations. Pick and choose your discussions, and try to focus tightly on specific questions, especially ones you are more familiar with and are more prepared to discuss. If you show these people that you have logical reasons for backing up your beliefs, than some may come to respect your views to some extent and not just write them off (especially if you can have respectful conversations that don't turn into explosive arguments). Also, once you establish your position with friends, you'll find that some will occasionally come to you with discussions and arguments, which you should welcome since all of these discussions will not only keep your friends thinking but will sharpen your mind and arguments until you eventually become a more seasoned warrior (in terms of debate and apologetics).
It might also be a good idea to make a list of the most common objections against evidence for design, creationism, the existence of God, etc. and of anything that challenges you in your classes and share them with this group.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Watts on
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First of all, it shows alot just by wanting to take a stand and look for help. Congratulations, you've already won half the battle. I have been in both private and secular school settings, and I only wish I had the resources back then that you have available now. Know for a fact this is a spiritual battle, as well as a battle for your mind.
Here's something I realized recently - we have one of the greatest evidence in the palm of our hand. Just pick up your i-phone (or any other media-driven device.) Without revealing it to anyone, ask this question: "Do you believe words and pictures can fly around in the air, without anyone seeing it, bounce around, and instantly appear in the palm of my hand?"
Our own modern tech devices point to the fact that intelligibility (meaning, logic, and ideas) have substance and value. We pay dollar after dollar for monthly services that carry the immaterial over invisible airways. I'd love to go on and on with this idea, but I think you can pick up on it from there.
Yes, definitely look for those opportunities where you can drop a seed. Some will never listen, but some will. As Jesus best said, the Holy Spirit will bring things to your remembrance at the right time. But He can't bring anything to the surface if it's not in the bucket, so fill up your 'bucket.'
Fight the good fight and keep us posted.
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Permalink Reply by Terrance Egolf on -
Bryanne,
The counsel given by everyone so far is excellent. It represents a variety of views that will stand you in good stead.
My counsel is to check your attitude when you decide to confront an issue in class. Be sure that you are humble and respectful of others' feelings. No one, especially a teacher, likes to look the fool in front of their peers or their students. Since the science controversy is firmly rooted in worldviews, when you begin to deconstruct their presuppositions, they can get defensive. It is far better to sow seeds of doubt and let an issue go, than to argue your point to a crushing conclusion. You may win battles that way, but lose the war, so to speak.
As Justin suggested, be the best possible student you can be. Learn the expected answers, but continually analyze the fallacies and presuppositions purveyed in class. A ninth grade biology course is a survey course, so you will be given a lot of generalizations. Don't be arrogant or belittling when you decide to question one of these ideas. Look for the underlying truths in what you are learning. You will discover that, unless your teacher or the textbook author(s) are on a mission to convert students to evolution, you probably won't even discuss it except tangentially in most of the topics.
I wish you well and hope that you will be able to gather fruit for the kingdom in this upcoming year.
Terry Egolf
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Permalink Reply by Arthur Smith on -
Start someplace simple. I like the artifacts of dinosaurs created by 'ancient' man who would have no knowledge of what dinosaurs looked like. In fact, some of their depections are more correct than what modern scientists have come up with until the last decade (postures, dermal spines, scale shapes). Here is a collage I made: http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-CAN-and-we-WILL-find-1000000-Creat...!/photo.php?pid=31083908&id=1025717179&ref=fbx_album
I also have a blog where I put some easy-to-understand explanations and experiments to show why evolution fails. Maybe you can get some ideas here: http://youdonthavetohaveaphd.blogspot.com/
In His service... Arthur Smith
www.haveyounotread.com
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Permalink Reply by Tony Watkins on
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Hi :-) You are a firm believer in the TRUTH !!!! GREAT !!!! As always our two major objectives in this life are to seek GOD and draw near to HIM and HELP OTHERS TO DO THE SAME !!! Which means , as others have stated, becoming well versed in both sides of the argument !! Know this ..... there are basically two types of acceptors of the evolution therory ........ those like many in your class who only believe what they have been taught because it is ALL that they have been taught and those who rabbidly insist that there is no Creation because there is no GOD to whom they owe a debt and are responsible to !!! Those in your class will be best reached by the asking of intelligent questions ...... evolution therory leaves PLENTY of room for that ..... and encouragement to think and seek and desire the TRUTH for themselves !!!! GOD WILL NOT remain hidden from those who honestly seek !!! The complex SYSTEMS of life can not possibly have "evolved" by "natural selection" or any other method not touched by intelligent design even over a BILLION years ...... simple logic bares this out !!! If you listen closely to the arguements of those espousing evolution you will hear words like "chose" and "adapted" ....... these are words connected with intelligence NOT random mutation !!! CARRY ON !!! :-)
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Permalink Reply by Creation Today on
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Mabry on
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I haven't read all the replies to see if anyone else recommended this, but this is an excellent book available through Answers in Genesis: http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Evolution-Expos...
AiG calls it a "survival guide for biology class." You should check it out.
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Permalink Reply by Vinay Nelson on
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I have see photos of the earths crust where many layers all folded or bent together in The Young Earth by Dr John Morris. I was taught in school that all these layers accumulated over millions of years. The obvious question is, why then did the first layers not harden into rock long before the last layers came along? How is it that all of them bent together? It's pretty obvious that all of them accumulated rather rapidly before any of them could harden and then bent all together while they were all soft mud, just exactly as one would expect if Noah's world wide flood is the truth. The supposed millions of years just got erased. Oh, and if there is supposed to be ten thousand years between some of those layers, then how come there isn't any sign of plant or animal life between those layers? Why isn't there any sign of erosion from weather between those layers if ten thousand years passed? Pictures are worth a thousand words.
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