Why Do Believers Misinterpret Fossils on Mount Everest?

Believers often erroneously seek explanations from atheists instead of geologists when questioning fossils on Mount Everest, especially regarding the principles of plate tectonics. This misunderstanding can be traced back to fundamental misconceptions about atheism and its relationship to science.

Understanding Atheism

Atheism, a position that does not involve gods or belief in any deities, is not inherently tied to a religious framework. Many atheists embrace science and rational thinking as means to understand the natural world. The lack of belief in gods does not imply belief in any alternate creation narrative; rather, it often represents an absence of religious influence in one's worldview.

Believers sometimes view atheism as a religion of its own, with its own creation story regarding the origin of the universe, biology, and geology. This misconception leads them to assume that atheists have a profound understanding of every scientific discipline, including geology and plate tectonics. This belief often stems from a misguided assumption that atheists reject all forms of creation stories, leading to the fallacious idea that evolutionary theory and the Big Bang are analogous to the Bible's creation narrative.

Misinterpretation of Fossils and Plate Tectonics

The discovery of fossils on Mount Everest perplexes some believers, who misinterpret these findings through a lens of mistrust in modern scientific understanding. Instead of seeking answers from geologists, they ask atheists, often with the belief that the atheists' scientific expertise and knowledge will align with their religious beliefs.

Some believers, like Ken Ham, attribute the origins of Mount Everest and the surrounding geological features to the biblical flood, as described in Genesis 7:18–19. They contend that a global flood about 5,000 years ago could have caused the current height of Mount Everest and eroded the mountains. However, this interpretation contradicts scientific knowledge about plate tectonics and mountain formation.

Geological Explanation: Plate Tectonics

The actual geological explanation for the formation of Mount Everest lies in the theory of plate tectonics. According to this scientifically established theory, the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, causing the land to rise and creating the Himalayan mountain range, which includes Mount Everest. Fossils found on Mount Everest are remnants of ancient marine life that lived in the region when it was underwater, a fact well-documented by paleontologists and geologists.

Fossils found on Mount Everest indicate that the region was once covered by a sea, with marine life thriving there before the land began to rise due to tectonic activity. Scientists attribute this change in the landscape to the movement of the tectonic plates, not a single catastrophic event like a biblical flood. The higher altitude of Mount Everest today does not invalidate the scientific evidence of past marine life; rather, it confirms the complex history of the geological processes that shaped the region over millions of years.

Conclusion

The misinterpretation of fossils on Mount Everest by believers is a clear example of how fundamental misunderstandings of science can arise. Believers often fail to recognize that atheism is a worldview that values evidence-based reasoning and the scientific method, rather than a complex creation narrative. By approaching scientific questions from a more informed perspective, both believers and atheists can engage in meaningful dialogue based on a shared understanding of the natural world.

Believers who struggle with accepting geological evidence must separate their religious beliefs from their understanding of scientific phenomena. Geologists provide robust and comprehensive explanations for natural phenomena, such as plate tectonics, which have been supported by extensive research and evidence. Focusing on accurate scientific information allows for a more nuanced and respectful discussion between believers and non-believers.