Reddit reviews Relics of Eden: The Powerful Evidence of Evolution in Human DNA

It's symbolism. Period. Did God actually remove a physical rib and mold it like silly putty into the shape of a woman? That's just ridiculous. There are plenty of faithful mormons who "believe" in evolution. Check our Relics of Eden by Daniel Fairbanks. Fairbanks is the former dean of undergraduate education at BYU. In his book, he doesn't talk at all about mormonism, but he basically shows, using DNA evidence, that evolution of man is supported by science.

This book, Relics of Eden, on the overwhelming genetic evidence that humans and other primates have a shared ancestor was published by a BYU academic. Most excellent read.

However has a semi-apologetic last chapter on reconciling faith and science.

> How do you rebutt Christians who claim that prophecies like [Isaiah 53] predicted Jesus and his death?

This is a very, very complex passage. There are literally entire books about proper interpretation of ancient texts; say what you want about the legitimacy of OT scripture, it is a historical document that requires an understanding of the context and culture of its writing. For a brief primer, check this out.

>I have parents that are anti-evolution but know nothing about it. What can I do (if anything) to show them that evolution is fact.

You can do nothing if they are unwilling to investigate it on their own. Being against something you are (willfully) ignorant of is, with all due respect, the epitome of ineptitude.

>Not some wacky theory that some drunken scientist came up with after beating his wife, but fact.

I'm honestly not aware of any well publicized scientific theory that originated from a drunken, wife beating scientist, so there's nothing I can contrast this with. (However, I'm convinced John was on shrooms when he wrote Revelation) If there is any hope, I would begin with the proper explanation of what a "theory" is in the scientific perspective. To simplify (and probably over-simplify), something can still be a theory, scientifically, but also be a fact.

As a demonstration, I would tell them to jump off a bridge. After all, gravity is only a theory.

>Have a favourite Dawkins quote? :)

Yup.

“Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.”

>What single argument was the single greatest point in debunking your creationism? (I ask because I often debate creationists).

Genetics. By far. The DNA evidence is astounding. I highly suggest The Relics of Eden and The Making of the Fittest.

>f I have any questions about the Bible I'll be sure to message you. You sound quite knowledgable on it. Cheers!

I would welcome it. At least I could now put some practical use to all this knowledge in my head. :)

Relics of Eden: The Powerful Evidence of Evolution in Human DNA written by Daniel J. Fairbanks formerly a dean of Undergraduate Education at BYU.

https://www.amazon.com/Relics-Eden-Powerful-Evidence-Evolution/dp/1616141603

This is one of my favorite books on evolution. It is written by a Genetics professor who is also a Christian.