Shock

I apparently have retained the ability to be absolutely shocked, which is an amazing thing in itself because I consider myself fairly worldly.  I know that I will never truly understand everything that I encounter....but I didn't think that I could be shocked to the core. Today, an acquaintance of mine, through a discussion on Facebook, noted to me that he doesn't believe in evolution.   I know that there are lots of people out there who do not believe in evolution, and I have definitely have some preconceptions about them.  People who believe that every aspect of the bible is true and not allegory.  These are people that I don't consort with because I know that they hold opinions antithetical to my own.....especially in areas about LGBT populations.  And yes, I will admit that I believe this non-evolution-believing-stereotype are also people who are not very intelligent.

This situation is really forcing me to rethink this stereotype and also what I consider in someone who is intelligent.  Because this person knows so much, and is well read.....but he doesn't question.  And I'm beginning to think that a person's ability to question is more important than how many books they have read or years in school that they have spent.

One of his reasonings behind not believing in evolution was that science wasn't 100% accurate.  I will concede this, but then again, it must also be recognized that faith and religion is also not 100% accurate.  We should hold both things up to the same standard.  I firmly believe in evolution.  There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence showing that it exists and so I accept it.  Likewise, the existence of God cannot be 100% proven, but I have also seen enough evidence to show me that a force of creation (and whatever name you wish to ascribe to it) exists, therefore I also accept it.  But he can't seem to do that.

This has totally blown my mind.  I also can't seem to just let it go.  I don't want to debate with him further on it because I don't think that he will change his mind, or even concede that even in the slightest bit that evolution is a possibility.

This is also a dealbreaker for me I've learned.  His admission to me is more damning than any other information that I could learn about him.  I also know that I could never be with someone (not that I have EVER thought of this guy in this way---but in general terms) who did not believe in evolution.  I might have to start asking this question on dates.

In conclusion....you can read everything ever written, you can recite or regurgitate every fact that you have come across, you could have advance degrees filling up your wall.....but if you can't question what you believe, what you read, and/or what other people tell you is the truth.....I'm gonna think you are an idiot.