So...I’ve been dating a Christian woman. She is perfectly aware of my stance on the supernatural and has described herself as a more “liberal Christian”. The other night we had a discussion that prompted me to ask her views on evolution vs. creation. She conveyed the typical “its just a theory” argument, showing that she was unaware of the distinction between the common misuse of the word and what an actual scientific theory is. I explained the difference but she was still doubting me.
Does anyone have experience with these types of discussions? Any advice as to how to help her understand these distinctions, given her predisposed notion of creationism?
8
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36 comments (26 - 36)
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.In my experience you can talk and talk to believers about the philosophy of science, how hypotheses remains speculation until there is supporting evidence, that theory really means "fact" in a certain sense. You can describe homologous bone structures, vestigial remnants, fossil records, radioactive decay, genetics, and on and on. It just goes over their heads. They are not interested in changing their minds.
OrangeJuice
Level 6
Apr 5, 2018
3
I sure do and I say NO. Do not go there. I married a Catholic woman who was very liberal and not religious. She also doubted evolution, After the kids came she was a raving religious idiot. The kids had to baptised catholic and attend catholic school.
The point is something so simply put as evolution, it is real. It is NOT a theory, it is a scientific theorem. It is a hypothesis with 99% accuracy. To not accept this as real is like believing FOX news,
EMC2
Level 8
Apr 5, 2018
5
It might help if you break it down for her. Explain how there are observable facts and laws under the scientific theory of evolution and how given those facts, the scientific theory of evolution was purposed. You could also show her how this theory is analogous to the theory of gravity, most people understand gravity to be true.
Mea
Level 7
Apr 5, 2018
1
Why evolution is true by Jerry Coyne
OrangeJuice
Level 6
Apr 5, 2018
2
If she prefers video, "Your Inner Fish" is a good introduction.
@TaraMarshall that's also really good. Neil Shubins book of the same title is great
My ex wife was a Christian, just as stubborn as a government mule and swore that she had all the answers. If your woman starts to behave like that time to let her go. However if she's willing to learn teach her.
mrveggieman187
Level 6
Apr 5, 2018
1
does she put out?
JeffMesser
Level 8
Apr 5, 2018
4
Oh boy
what I typed was the very first thought of every man who read the story.
If you're interested, Peter Boghossian has a book that deals with that very subject-how to discuss/debate with believers. It's very effective. He also has YouTube videos that show role plays on discussions. PB also developed an app that guides people through effective conversations.
TravelBug
Level 4
Apr 5, 2018
5
Have you ever tried his method? (Also note for fun, you're right over the bridge from where Fundamentalism got it's name. But a couple more miles, and the world headquarters of Center for Inquiry exists as a good counter.)
@ChrisLAbbey I see what you're saying. I don't want to behave like a fundamentalist anything. Ugh.?
@TravelBug No, but I see what it seems I implied there. Oops. I was honestly just giving a little local history.
Awesome! Thanks travelbug! I’ll def give it a read
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