As just one example, if you really study the so-called science of evolution, you will find that it takes more blind faith to believe that we evolved from one-celled organisms than that we were designed and created in God’s image with a divine purpose in life. There are so many holes and flaws in the theory of evolution,

Please please please tell me you are not really believing this and are just baiting and that I have fallen for the bait.
First “so-called”? It is a theory that is the product of the scientific method. It has been tested time and again for 150 years and never failed. It is “so-called” science in the same way heliocentrism is, and the germ theory of disease is.

Flaws? Well, there were flaws in the original version, and there probably are flaws (though certainly fewer) in the version as now refined through 150 years of study. Science means studying the facts and refining the theory. At this point, any remaining flaws are negligible.
Holes? I suppose in the sense that we don’t know everything exactly how evolution happened, but “god did it” is just one big hole. Or to use a varied metaphor. The theory of evolution by natural selection is a big fishing net. Lots of holes but it holds together. The theory of “god did it” (creationism) is like a rope. It has no holes. It goes straight from a to b.

Now, which would you rather jump to from a burning building, a group of firemen holding a net? or 2 guys holding a rope?

Research the facts, read the many studies that are out there, and research it some more before you decide what the “truth” is.

If you read through more of this site, and read other sites like it, you’ll find that’s exactly what we do. We don’t just go “I don’t want to believe in God, I’ll take any excuse not to!” In fact, many of us would be content to believe if you gave us real evidence. It would often even be easier on us to believe, but we just can’t because we know too much (from our research) to do so.

if you really study the so-called science of evolution, you will find that it takes more blind faith to believe that we evolved from one-celled organisms than that we were designed and created in God’s image with a divine purpose in life.

Actually, if you really study evolutionary theory you’ll find out exactly how much truth there is to it, as well as what is left to find out. You’d also find out exactly what it actually is instead of spouting off what your pastor or the latest creationist book told you it is.

The basics are definitely not out of the grasp of an intelligent person, especially given the large numbers of books and websites that put them in layman’s terms.

And, *seconds Richard Wade’s response*.

And to Mike the Apologist: I highly recommend Dan Barker’s “godless”, it will answer all your concerns you’ve brought up so far.

We have such a tendency to simply accept what we are fed — whether it’s religious doctrine or it’s secular worldly values or atheism — and never take on the responsibility to research and search for the truth ourselves.

It seems as though you are doing the very thing of which you disapprove. You are parroting talking points that were fed to you. Your statements about needing more faith to accept evolution, holes and flaws in the theory making the whole thing invalid, lots of evidence to support the Bible, these are cut-and-paste canards from Answers in Genesis that I have read word for word (and have watched being utterly demolished) hundreds of times.

Evolution is not taught as “uncontroverted fact” in the way you portray. When presented properly, science does not say “This is the truth.” It says “This is the best explanation we have so far for what we see in the world around us, and when we see more, better and in greater detail, we are going to change our explanation a little or a lot.” The great strength of science is that it is self-correcting, always looking for where it is wrong. Claims of “uncontroverted fact” are the domain of religion. Immature people want things settled, fully known, cut and dry. Mature people are able to live with the humility of only having the best explanation so far, and are ready for better ones when we see more evidence.

I agree with you that it is wise to separate the absurdities of religion from the essential teaching. Consider that the essential teaching about Jesus does not have to depend on the absurd Biblical descriptions of how life developed on Earth. The Bible may be very useful for describing the world within you, but it is not very reliable for describing the physical world around you.

I am quite confident that Jesus sheds tears when he sees what some “preach” in His name. Hateful people, like the morons who demonstrate at the funerals of our men and women who are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan saying that “God loves IEDs,” will have to answer for their actions on Judgment Day.

But their ignorance is not an excuse for others to remain equally ignorant. We have such a tendency to simply accept what we are fed — whether it’s religious doctrine or it’s secular worldly values or atheism — and never take on the responsibility to research and search for the truth ourselves. And when you consider what’s at stake, that’s simply crazy!

As just one example, if you really study the so-called science of evolution, you will find that it takes more blind faith to believe that we evolved from one-celled organisms than that we were designed and created in God’s image with a divine purpose in life. There are so many holes and flaws in the theory of evolution, yet we are taught it as if it is uncontroverted scientific fact. You’d be amazed at how much evidence there is in all the sciences to support the Biblical record.

Mr. Huffman beat me to the punch with the obvious counter. Hitchens hasn’t accused gays of being responsible for Hurricane Katrina. Religious people have. Hitchens never said baldly and blatantly that 9/11 was God’s punishment for America’s sins. Religious people did. And religious leaders within the Air Force Academy are trying to have their cake and eat it, too. They need to be reminded that it is illegal to proselytize in the military, and frankly, I’m glad these people are being exposed in such a fashion.