Teaching of Evolution in Pakistani Schools.

[Extremist]

Recently my young cousin told me something interesting which reminded me of my own time at school. His biology teacher, before starting the chapter on Evolution, made it clear that evolution is "just a theory" and that we as Muslims believe in something else which is "fact".

It was funny but sad at the same time. Why do you think we are not ready to accept the scientific facts just because they clash with our preconceived notions of creation? meray khayal se to islam aor evolution main koi tazad naheen hay and several scholars also seem to agree on this point, although not the hardcore ones.

aap logon ka kya khayal hay? Why are we afraid of taking scientific facts as they are instead of denying them even though there is sufficient evidence?

[Gypsified]

You've brought up a very important, yet uncomfortable, topic. Of course "evolution is just a theory" is a mantra that we often listen and repeat without even knowing what it means. But that's a different story.

Why don't we agree that evolution is an established scientific fact? Well, because our sanction comes only if we are allowed it by the owners of Islam, that is, the clergy (who derives its orders mainly from Saudi Arabia). It's pretty sad that even in the matters of science we prefer listening to the people who have absolutely no knowledge of science and a very elementary knowledge of history and philosophy (if any at all). The Ulemas of Islam seem to have a proper grudge against science, not that it will stop science. We are all too eager to embrace technology while keeping science at bay. And then we cry about our lack of progress and blame others for it. Only a bunch of losers would do that, I'd say.

[abreek]

Evolution is a dangerous, deceptive theory, supported by the establishment, and pushed by all the institutions to break our connection with a creator. It is the bedrock of the materialist philosophy which denies Allah and any accountability for one’s actions, and allows for colonialism, racism, slavery and blind individualism as natural states that exist, as a consequence of the principle of survival of the fittest (natural selection) which pervades all of nature. Natural selection assumes that only a few individuals in each generation will survive, since resources are limited and organisms will produce more offspring than their environment can support. All must therefore use whatever means are at their disposal to survive, and the strongest who have adapted best will survive and evolve, whereas the weak and poorly adapted will die off and become extinct. This cleansing of the weak is necessary to purify the gene pool and prepare it for the next evolutionary step. This same thinking is applied to socioeconomic frameworks, and has resulted in the disastrous situation we find the world in today, dominated by imperialism, war and exploitation.

[Gypsified]

Evolution is a dangerous, deceptive theory, supported by the establishment, and pushed by all the institutions to break our connection with a creator.

Mere assumption and rhetoric.

It is the bedrock of the materialist philosophy which denies Allah

Would you like to tell me how evolution "denies Allah", as you put it?

and any accountability for one’s actions, and allows for colonialism, racism, slavery and blind individualism as natural states that exist, as a consequence of the principle of survival of the fittest (natural selection) which pervades all of nature.

That's called social evolution which hardly has any relation to scientific theory of evolution. It existed mainly in the 19th and early twentieth century and indeed justified racism and colonialism. Here's news for you: world has moved forward. Social evolution has been discarded long ago because it didn't have any scientific basis. The biological theory of evolution is an altogether different theory fully supported with scientific data.

Natural selection assumes that only a few individuals in each generation will survive,

Wrong.

since resources are limited and organisms will produce more offspring than their environment can support. All must therefore use whatever means are at their disposal to survive, and the strongest who have adapted best will survive and evolve, whereas the weak and poorly adapted will die off and become extinct. This cleansing of the weak is necessary to purify the gene pool and prepare it for the next evolutionary step.

The process takes place over eons, not generations. And it's perfectly natural: species who cannot adapt to their environment die out eventually. This has happened with millions of species throughout history. Just because it does not feel good to you won't change the fact.

This same thinking is applied to socioeconomic frameworks, and has resulted in the disastrous situation we find the world in today, dominated by imperialism, war and exploitation

Not is, was. It WAS applied to the socioeconomic sphere for a limited time because of the discrepancies in human knowledge. No one does that any more. You need to update your knowledge on evolution and what it implies.

[Gypsified]

That's called social evolution

Social Darwinism.*

[Extremist]

if you are rejecting evolution because the concept (not the theory) was used in something wrong that does not sit very well. agar hum is waja se science ko reject kerte hain to phir another example is: nuclear weapons are made based on Einstein's theory. Since nuclear weapons have caused a lot of destruction, should we reject and refuse to accept the theory (whose benefits are far more than that)? yay to koi logic na hoi.

[muddasirakram]

Today we look at the theories of last century and say they were wrong scientific facts are made and killed in all days work I rest my case

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[waves]

evolutionists say that every thing happened spontaniously, while everything happens by the grace of Allah, not merely by a chance. this is the main point of difference

[Gypsified]

Today we look at the theories of last century and say they were wrong scientific facts are made and killed in all days work I rest my case

For example what theory?

A scientific theory based on reliable evidence is never declared completely wrong; it is only improved upon with future evidence. Newton's theory was not discarded when Einstein pointed out fundamental flaws in it; it was only modified and certain aspects were replaced by Einstein's theory. Evolution was proposed in the 19th century and it continues to be the most important theory in biology even in the 21st century, with all the leading scientists agreeing on the main aspects. Why? Because overwhelming evidence points in that direction.

If you say that evolution is wrong, you will have to bring counter-evidence, in the presence of which a scientist will be the first one to modify/discard it (which is the beauty of science). Mere wishful thinking will not do.

I would suggest that you read this article about how scientific theories work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

evolutionists say that every thing happened spontaniously, while everything happens by the grace of Allah, not merely by a chance. this is the main point of difference

It's just a misconception that evolution rules out the intervention of God. Many leading biologists are believers in God and as a matter of fact, Darwin himself believed in God (many Muslim scholars also agree with the fact of evolution, most notably perhaps, Dr. Israr Ahmad). But if one's faith is so fragile that it cannot stand anything scientific, then one should completely shun science and technology and live a primitive life.

[waves]

Originally Posted by Gypsified

But if one's faith is so fragile that it cannot stand anything scientific, then one should completely shun science and technology and live a primitive life.

i think there's no one in here who can not stand any thing scientific. in every field you shall find contradicting theories in master level with experts having doubts and critisisms for one or the other theory. i am well aware that this forum consists of people who merely want to indulge in gossips.