# Are Christians evolving? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 6, 2001, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743 "2001-11-06T06:11:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![johndcal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@johndcal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johndcal)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/1 "2001-11-06T06:11:58Z")
ARE CHRISTIANS EVOLVING? See their new articles, online book, links, EMBRACING evolution, Big Bang, imperfect Bible, historic divine Jesus. **Spam URL Deleted by David B** [Edited by David B on 11-06-2001 at 05:27 PM] ---
**Author:** ![Kalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/2 "2001-11-06T06:18:30Z")
I think all religions evolve over time. Religious evolution typically is comprised of accepting rational explanations for the more extreme/impossible ideas and concepts in a religion’s particular text(s). Over large periods of time, even basic religious dogma evolves and becomes less literal. As more and more people come to believe that a truly wacky statement doesn’t _really_ mean what it says, religion evolve. I think most christians accept the fact that the earth is round, even though at one point that was heresy. Now, if only Islam would wake up and smell the evolutionary coffee. I think the reason why it so far has been slower to do so is because science and technology are usually the impetus for religious evolution (liberalism may be another word). For the most part, Muslims inhabit poor, 3rd world countries where a really nice camel with soft fur is about as advanced as it gets. Those in power positions typically see science and technology as evils of the West. How unfortunate for all of us. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/3 "2001-11-06T13:47:46Z")
As used in the OP, “Christians” is too broad a term. There have been Cristians at the forefront of scientific inquiry throughout its history over the last 1900 years and there are Christians who are still in denial over many aspects of science. It is possible that the horizons of some observers have broadened as they recognize that Jerry Falwell does not equate to (all) Christian belief, but Christianity, while it certainly is evolving (along with all other social phenomena), has not suddenly taken a turn toward enlightenment. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/4 "2001-11-06T14:07:52Z")
spam, spam spam spam spam spam spam spam Wonderful Spam! Lovely Spam! to answer the op, yes Christians are evolving… Into SUPER HERO CRIME FIGHTING CYBORGS!!! coming up this season! You are watching FOX. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/5 "2001-11-06T14:23:20Z")
Thank you, ToF. My spam alarm went off, too. 😃 Eh, John, if you’re a real person and not just another spammer, this OP doesn’t look like a debate–it looks like a plug for a website. Jump back in with some feedback here, or else stand convicted of “perpetrating spam in the first degree”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/6 "2001-11-06T14:44:16Z")
Christians are undergoing a process which could be described as _Micro_evolution, but could more properly be described as _determined programmed adaptabilityness_. There’s simply no evidence for the supposed _Macro_evolution of Christians, and if there is, I refuse to look at it. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/7 "2001-11-06T15:26:24Z")
**Mangetout** , I disagree. In my opinion, there is a clear line of descent from the primitive _apostolopithecus paulii_ down to the modern Christian _evangelicus sapiens_. Not to mention adaptive radiation, as Christians have evolved and diversified to fill different ecological niches, from placid sheep-like browsers (_e. anglicanus conventionalis_) to rapacious predators (_e. televangelicus australis_). The evidence is overwhelming; a quick glance at the General Synod of the Church of England will show you at once how many perfectly preserved fossils are still extant. [sub]No, I don’t have anything serious to contribute. Yes, I am in a funny mood. Why do you ask?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/8 "2001-11-06T15:49:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steve Wright \* > **Mangetout, I disagree. In my opinion, there is a clear line of descent from the primitive _apostolopithecus paulii_ down to the modern Christian _evangelicus sapiens_. Not to mention adaptive radiation, as Christians have evolved and diversified to fill different ecological niches, from placid sheep-like browsers (_e. anglicanus conventionalis_) to rapacious predators (_e. televangelicus australis_). The evidence is overwhelming; a quick glance at the General Synod of the Church of England will show you at once how many perfectly preserved fossils are still extant.** I question the validity of your interpretation of the theological column. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/9 "2001-11-06T18:20:30Z")
Although I hesitate to contribute to threads in which the OP appears to be spamination, I have to compliment **Steve** and **Mangetout** for turning it into one of the best pastiches I have encountered here. Nice job! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/10 "2001-11-06T18:31:58Z")
Of _course_ we’re evolving – how else would we have acquired our prehensile tails? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/11 "2001-11-06T20:44:26Z")
Of course Christians are evolving! They just refuse to believe it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/12 "2001-11-06T22:26:30Z")
Welcome to the Cafe. We’ve got dogma with spam; unsupported assertions, dogma, spam and spam; theological incongruities, spam, dogma, spam, circular logic and spam; closed systems of thought, spam, spurious arguments, spam, spam, dogma and spam; spam, spam, spam, skewed data sets and spam; selective use of the historical record, arbitrary interpretation, ‘inner voice’ arguments and spam; self-righteousness, spam, spam and spam; self-serving nonsense and spam; spam, spam, spam, ad hominem attacks and spam; spam, spam, spam, spam, spam and spam; ill-advised posts to the SDMB and spam. Oh, and an African swallow. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/13 "2001-11-06T22:42:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ianzin \* > \*\*Oh, and an African swallow. \*\* _Who will be the first…?_ (I’m resisting the temptation myself 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/14 "2001-11-07T03:30:35Z")
I’ll bite. _Laden or unladen?_ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/15 "2001-11-08T08:26:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*Of course Christians are evolving! > > They just refuse to believe it. 😃 \*\* Stop it! - you’re making the baby _Drosophila_ cry. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Stewart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Dave\_Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Stewart)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/16 "2001-11-08T08:48:35Z")
Scientific studies have shown that Christians have more back hair than non-Christians. What does this mean? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/17 "2001-11-08T08:59:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dave Stewart \* > \*\*Scientific studies have shown that Christians have more back hair than non-Christians. > > What does this mean? \*\* It’s a well known fact (which is what you have to say when there’s no cite to back you up) that Christians and hyenas share more than 98% of their DNA. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_The\_Bold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dale\_The\_Bold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_The_Bold)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/18 "2001-11-08T23:26:24Z")
Shouldn’t Christians be evolving? The core principles shouldn’t change (Ten Commandments, the Messiahship of Jesus, love your neighbor, etc. etc.), but a concept like human and animal evolution never has been contrary to the bible, it’s only been contrary to traditional beliefs, in and outside of Christianity. Some people are stubborn and ignorant, but the same could be said of non-Christians as well. When evolution was discovered and proven, everyone kind of said “hm, I’ll be damned, I guess it makes sense.” But a few traditionalists wouldn’t budge on the issue, saying it couldn’t be true because it wasn’t biblical (huh? No, really, they claim this!). The question should be “are unmoving traditionalists evolving?”, which itself is an oxymoron. Christians are evolving, and will continue to, just as they always have. I’m a Christian who has understood evolution from the beginning. Just because we have a couple of dumbasses who speak out in the name of Christianity, doesn’t make us all dumbasses. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@The\_Mick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mick)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/19 "2001-11-09T03:33:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\*It is possible that the horizons of some observers have broadened as they recognize that Jerry Falwell does not equate to (all) Christian belief, but Christianity, while it certainly is evolving (along with all other social phenomena), has not suddenly taken a turn toward enlightenment. \*\* define enlightenment. Who is to say who’s truly enlightened? Whatever our personal beliefs are, we probably only think that we’re enlightened. Perhaps we’re not and just have big egos. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Stewart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Dave\_Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Stewart)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743/20 "2001-11-09T03:37:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Dave Stewart \* > > \*\*Scientific studies have shown that Christians have more back hair than non-Christians. > > > > What does this mean? \*\* > > It’s a well known fact (which is what you have to say when there’s no cite to back you up) that Christians and hyenas share more than 98% of their DNA. \*\* I knew it! The bastards! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christians-evolving/91743.md?page=2)