My Univeristy is celebrating Darwin's Birthday

**JesusFreakGirl** · 02-11-2010, 08:47 AM

My University is putting on "Darwin Days" to celebrate Darwin's life. I know evolution is going to be taught, regardless of what some people are saying. I want to go to the events and "lovingly protest" but I know that I'll end up getting really passionate and argue in a way that won't be honoring to God. I really don't know what to do. I hate seeing all these aithiest driven events on campus, it is really frustrating me. I want to do something, but I don't want to make a fool of myself and of God by doing something in a way that is ineffective and argumentative in a way that will just cause trouble.

Minot State University - Department of Biology

Nate · 02-11-2010, 08:57 AM

Two honest thoughts:

1) There are Christian evolutionists [I am not one of them, for the record, but be aware that you might be protesting against brothers and sisters in Christ, and not just atheists or---more likely, really---people who just don't give a damn, otherwise known as agnostics].

2) If you don't want to look like a fool, don't do anything. You will be perceived as a fool for arguing against or protesting against evolution. Period. However, "do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". God will not be a fool.

rock_show_host · 02-11-2010, 09:46 AM

I agree with Nate -- please don't protest.

For one thing, you go to a public school. You can't expect all (or any) campus events to be in line with your beliefs, and unless you would like to see non-Christian students picketing outside of your Bible study or prayer group, then protesting their events is just disrespectful and would be a poor witness.

Second, I think you're right to be concerned that it wouldn't be fruitful. I'm admittedly cynical about public demonstrations in general, which may be another conversation. Still, based on what I've seen of them, they can be very effective for raising awareness of issues but are not a great way to engage outsiders.

My campus has occasionally housed protests about workers' rights and unfair wages, which is an issue that many students (including myself) often aren't aware of at all. In those cases, the protest works simply as a means of drawing attention to the issue and motivating people to look into it. That is not the case here. It's common knowledge that a lot of Christians oppose the study of evolution (though, as Nate said, it's important to remember that not all Christians share that opposition), and so in your case, protesting wouldn't be telling the public anything they don't already know. What it would be telling them, at least the way I'd see it, is that you as an individual are so upset by this issue that you're unwilling to tolerate even listening or being exposed to a conflicting viewpoint. If you're looking to actually engage people and get them to listen to your views, that doesn't sound like a good way to do it.

Nate may be right that some people will inevitably label you as a fool for arguing against evolution; in my experience, debating this particular topic doesn't ever amount to anything productive. But if you have strong feelings, I'm definitely not saying that you need to keep them to yourself. Maybe you could go to the events not as a protester but as an observer, and open yourself up to conversations with the people there -- conversations in which you not only share your beliefs but listen openly to theirs. That seems like a far more promising opportunity to witness than standing at the door holding an angry sign.

Six_and_Sax · 02-11-2010, 09:58 AM

I would avoid the event. Unless you are carrying some kind of identification that marks you as a protester (which I do not recommend), you will be counted among the supporters by the folks that would say "We had XXXX people who came out to celebrate Darwin's birthday!"

I believe that gently educating those who have been taken captive by this falsehood, on a one-on-one basis is far more effective. Ask them why they believe that evolution is the only way that we could have existed? Make sure YOU are armed with persuasive information that plants the seed that we just might be the product of God's intelligent design.

There is a good amount of intelligent design info being amassed by the Discovery Institute. If you are aware of The Truth Project there is a TON of good information in session 5 of that series that centers around proof points of God's hand in creation, and weaknesses in Darwinism. The idea is to get them thinking. It's rare that you can win someone over by digging in and arguing.

My $.02 USD

Blessings,

Charlie

rock_show_host · 02-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six_and_Sax

I would avoid the event. Unless you are carrying some kind of identification that marks you as a protester (which I do not recommend), you will be counted among the supporters by the folks that would say "We had XXXX people who came out to celebrate Darwin's birthday!"

I believe that gently educating those who have been taken captive by this falsehood, on a one-on-one basis is far more effective. Ask them why they believe that evolution is the only way that we could have existed? Make sure YOU are armed with persuasive information that plants the seed that we just might be the product of God's intelligent design.

I don't think the numbers thing is a good reason to avoid the events. If you think she should invest in understanding why Darwin's advocates believe in evolution, wouldn't an event like this be a great way to start? Plus, I think it's a good witness for non-Christians to meet believers who are willing to listen with an open mind rather than keeping anything and anybody they disagree with at a distance.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 02-11-2010, 01:12 PM

I just steered clear of such things. No reason to spend a day pissed off because the world acts like the world.

And really, getting pissed off is the best possible outcome here.

Six_and_Sax · 02-11-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock_show_host

I don't think the numbers thing is a good reason to avoid the events. If you think she should invest in understanding why Darwin's advocates believe in evolution, wouldn't an event like this be a great way to start? Plus, I think it's a good witness for non-Christians to meet believers who are willing to listen with an open mind rather than keeping anything and anybody they disagree with at a distance.

It's not just the numbers. Unfortunately, these events do not tend to be a fertle ground for understanding and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Idea exchange is better served in smaller groups. As I said earlier, my advice is to steer clear.

**slap_j** · 02-11-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

Two honest thoughts:

I agree. Here's another:

It makes perfect sense for your school's biology department to hold Darwin in high esteem. The business of the biology department is to teach biology; natural selection is part of the foundation of modern biology. A protest would not be changing hearts or minds, it wouldn't draw attention to any injustice, it wouldn't illuminate anything new. It would be vanity.

**Rainer.** · 02-11-2010, 03:37 PM

What's the difference between this and, say, a Einstein Day? Or Copernicus Day?

Why should we as Christians protest against the life work of a scientist?

And Darwin is hugely influential in the modern study of biology.

penguinofwar · 02-11-2010, 06:03 PM

Just another reason to make a cake.

OiBoyz · 02-12-2010, 12:17 AM

Pearls before swine. If you do anything, use it as a springboard to talk to your friends about our Creator. You never know, they could have some good questions.

ICTHUS · 02-12-2010, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesusFreakGirl

My University is putting on "Darwin Days" to celebrate Darwin's life. I know evolution is going to be taught, regardless of what some people are saying. I want to go to the events and "lovingly protest" but I know that I'll end up getting really passionate and argue in a way that won't be honoring to God. I really don't know what to do. I hate seeing all these aithiest driven events on campus, it is really frustrating me. I want to do something, but I don't want to make a fool of myself and of God by doing something in a way that is ineffective and argumentative in a way that will just cause trouble.

Minot State University - Department of Biology

How does protesting evolution further the cause of the Christian faith?

Do you deny that it's possible to love Christ and believe in evolution?

Darwin was an awesome guy and his contributions to modern scientific understanding are invaluable. You should stop listening to Answers In Genesis and other such ridiculous psuedoscience masquerading as Christian truth, and go celebrate, IMHO.

**Becky** · 02-12-2010, 10:51 AM

How about holding a prayer gathering on that day? To pray for the campus, that they will know the love of Jesus. I think God would be honored by it, it would be beneficial for you and the other Christians on campus, it would give you something to be apart of during the festivities, and non-Christians would ignore it.

Prayer is such a great solution to so many things