Although I am not as brave as Oliver to visit our local churches, I do subscribe to a couple of monthly newsletters put out by the Mississippi Churches of Christ (individual churches - not one particular organization). I'd like to report on a question asked by the editor of one of these newsletters. Keep in mind that the churches of Christ believe that they are worshipping as the original Christians did by going EXACTLY by the Bible (no musical instruments, must be baptized for salvation), at least, when it's convenient.
The editor of the Magnolia Messenger asks "Why do some "Christians" accept a godless theory of evolution when the Bible plainly teaches that 'God created the heavens and the earth' and, 'that without Him was not anything made that was made'."
This is a great question. My mother-in-law is a member of the church of Christ and she does believe in evolution. Why does she believe it? Because the scientific evidence is there, she says. She believes that God used (and is using) evolution as a natural means for us to develop. Now because she accepts science and has reconciled that to her faith, she is being relegated to a list of "so-called Christians" by the editor of this newsletter. How comforting for him that at least he has the truth even if members of his own church are deceived.....
He goes on to say, "If the Biblical account is trustworthy (not a lie), evolution is, at best, only an unproven theory; and, when truly put to the test it is, in reality, a lie!"
Aside from the ignorant "unproven theory" statement (for which he can be forgiven since he is not a scientist), he makes an assumption that the Bible must be literally true. There is no either/or. It's all true or it's all lies. When one sees the world in black and white this way, one is bound to eventually make some serious mistakes. Since Christians like this are unable to reconcile the evidence to their faith, they must either stand in the ludicrous position of denying reality or else they must fall. Neither position is very enviable.
So his final question is, "Why accept 'evolution' when the Bible teaches 'creation'?"
Why indeed? Why accept the mountain of scientific evidence when you could just believe an ancient book of stories? Why try to learn anything different when you believe you have all the answers right in front of you? In my opinion, that's one of the things that is wrong with Mississippi's brand of religion. Christianity here thinks it has all the answers and no one else - not even other types of Christians - can possibly be right or have anything else to offer. That attitude breeds arrogance and contempt for others. Small wonder that some Christians hate atheists when they also show such disdain for those sitting next to them in the pew.
We have our work cut out for us to combat this type of mentality. Science and reason seem to be very ineffective because people like this don't really know how to use these tools. And let's be honest - Mississippi schools are not teaching kids how to think and critically examine claims. Once again, the answer to this type of irrational mindset seems to be education. Let's hope that Mississippians learn the value of education and critical thinking before it's too late.
Tags: Mississippi, Christianity, Christian, bible, evolution, science, atheist, education, critical thinking, school