to be surprised when I find an educated person doesn't believe in evolution?

[Bennifer]

I've recently found out that someone I know doesn't believe in evolution. However, they're well educated and work in education. I really struggle to see how intelligent people cannot believe in evolution. I can see how someone might take the view that somehow God inspired the rules or the original divine spark, or something, but to deny evolution seems to be something so bizarre I can't imagine an educated person would do so.

AIBU?

softly, your DH is quite right to believe humans didn't evolve from apes (though for the wrong reasons). Both humans (various species) and apes evolved from a common ancestor several million years ago.

We were blacklisted by the JW and Mormons when we lived in Cambridge, as we used to keep the poor sods on the doorstep discussing why their views on evolution and the history of the Earth were a complete load of pants. [proud emoticon]

YABU - everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs and it has bugger all to do with how educated they are!

Betty Here's another question. "I've just found out that my friend can't read. I was surprised - he's well educated and works in education." Is that unreasonable?

Softly - your DH is wrong if he thinks we evolved from apes.

We didn't - we and the apes have a common ancestor.

The "half an eye" thing is a non-starter as an argument agains evolution.

There are simple organisms around today that have light sensitive cells which allow them to orientate themselves.
Over time more complex organisms (also with these light sensitive cells) would have acquired gradual changes and those cells would have become more and more complex until an "eye" evolved.
And the eye has evolved independently in different groups of animals. An insect eye is very different to a mammalian or reptilian eye etc.

Sorry - that should have read that your DH is wrong if he thinks evolution proposes that we eveolved from apes!!

I also X-posted with Fishandjam

You remind me of Ross Gellar, OP

Belief and fact aren't the same. I'm not sure genesis was to be assumed factual.

And FWIW, whilst I don't understand when people don't accept the evidence for evolution, I wouldn't brow-beat them or try to force my point of view.
They are entitled to their belief and it's not going to change what actually happened during the formation of the planet earth.

I suppose the thing is that evolution is not a question of belief that is debatable, rather it is a question of fact (based on the masses of evidence we have)

cassette

You accept evolution happens now..... I would say that's a very good indicator that the same processes happened in the past !

There is lots of fossil evidence of how animal linages have developed over billions of years - including our own proto-human linages............ we are not special, we are just another type of animal! Recent development in genetic analysis are allowing scientists to understand even more about the evolution of modern humans.

It always strikes me that people dearly want to believe that humans are not animals, are something different from the rest of nature, that they are IMPORTANT somehow..........Many people seem to have a deep NEED to believe this and I suppose that is why religious and spiritual beliefs have developed.

Which is fine, you are free to believe what you want as you are an adult with your own mind and opinions - but I have issues about those beliefs being pushed at my children in a school setting which does happen now (and may happen more in the future with American style creationist teaching creeping into school here and there in the UK already).

'Different belief system?' Science isn't a belief system.

I think there are opinions and beliefs that we expect to be formed in the course of a good education. It's surprising if people come out the other end believing that the world is flat or that the world is run by a conspiracy of giant lizards.

Ffft, apparently the concept of Elaine has never been conclusively proven either.

I agree with you OP, it just seems mad doesn't it?

Belief and fact aren't the same. I'm not sure genesis was to be assumed factual.

Most Christians I've ever known take Genesis to be a myth.

Anyone living in the 21st century who doesn't understand that the earth is billions of years old and that evolution has happened is either woefully ill-educated or wilfully blind to truth. Creationism is a belief which metaphorically requires people to stick their fingers in their ears, cover their eyes and chant 'la la la I'm not listening'.

I have met loads in America and even visited the creation museum in Kentucky seriously bonkers!!!!

YANBU, I've never met a creationist in real life, I don't think I could bear the conversation! Just reading threads like this makes me cringe, you just can't "not believe" in evolution, that doesn't make any sense. It's like saying you don't believe in the Romans.

The evidence for evolution, and the common descent of all animals including humans is overwhelming.

I'm constantly aghast at how many intelligent, knowledgeable people choose to believe what they wish were true, rather than what the evidence shows them is true.

?Well, I like to believe that [insert some stuff about creationism / alternative medicine / supernatural]?.

There?s a difference between what you?d like to believe is true and what you actually should accept is true.

I just don?t get how you can hold something to be true, and tell people you think it is true - especially children - without any supporting evidence. Even worse, when the evidence is stacked against it. How can people be so intellectually dishonest? It baffles me.

Surgeon thats a ridiculous comparison to make...if course I would be shocked if a well educated person was illiterate..........I wouldnt be shocked at their beliefs though!

I believe in re-incarnation...to me it is the only logical explanation.....however, I dont expect everyone else to believe in it and I couldnt care less anyway.

I am a (to quote someone above) "scientist by training", but I don't believe in evolution either.

I'm with MrJasc on this one.