Can i study anthropology?

Question

I'm thinking of studying anthropology at university but i'm unsure as to whether it will interfere with my christian faith because of its focus on evolution. Do they teach evolution as a fact (because macro evolution hasn't been proven from species to species so should be taught like this) or do they suggest other alternatives? Are there any opinions from christian anthropologists or do they not exist?

Answer 1

I don`t think studying anthropology should interfere with your christian faith at all.

Taken from link below:

A biological or physical anthropologist might well work in a laboratory, for example, on blood or bones samples. However, they could equally well work in different cultural contexts which require knowledge and sensitivity to local cultural norms and values. Thus, in understanding the cause of illness within a given population it is necessary to develop a detailed understanding of how physical contract and well0-being are shaped by social and cultural factors. For example, it is not enough for a biological anthropologist to discover that a local diet results in deficiencies of vitamin A and therefore increases the possibility of blindness. They would also need to take into account the symbolic and ritual significance of certain foodstuffs before assuming that changes in diet could easily be effected.

What does a degree in anthropology involve?

A degree in social anthropology provides a broad intellectual foundation for many careers, which involve social research and communication skills and an ability to analyse and problem-solve. Its comparative perspective not only enables us to 'understand the familiar better' but leads to a cross-cultural awareness at home and abroad. A graduate training involving fieldwork will, additionally, provide experience in doing research, which involves people and their social relationships and will aid the development of organisational, communicative and logistical expertise.

Sounds interesting...Good luck whatever you decide ...Hope this helps

You can read more about it at the link below:

Answer 2

you should study is a very interesting subject. you will be open to the outside world. you will deal with strong opinions fro, christians an other religions but it will help you.

Answer 3

I think you should take physics, chemistry, calculus, and other hard sciences before taking anthropology. I also think you should take a couple terms of classic logic.

When you feel comfortable with those things, then you should feel more comfortable in studying the belief systems of others. Start with cultural anthropology.

Answer 4

I've never heard of christian anthropologists, but I don't think that it matters. Religious belief is based on faith - you don't need evidence to believe in religious truths. If your religion tells you that god made you, then never mind all those facts about evolution, all you need to do is continue to have faith.  Perhaps you could even major in anthropology and study evolution as a way to test your faith!

Answer 5

Sure, everyone should study anthropology. It emphasises critical and self-reflexive thinking and exposes you to new cultures and other ways of thinking and doing in everyday life. And it would not necessarily interfere with your faith. Having said that, they will certainly teach you that evolution is a fact, because it is a fact. The debates are about the exact mechanisms of evolution; how evolution works, not whether it works. Organisms we see today, including us, have evolved from older ancestral organisms.

You might also want to consider that these questions are largely restricted to biological anthropology (including forensics), palaeo-anthropology and to those sub-fields of archaeology that deal specifically with evolution. Social anthropologists and social archaeologists are less interested in biological evolution on a day-to-day basis, and more interested in cultural questions.

Finally, Gregor Mendel, who made an early discovery about how genetics works in pea plants in the 1850s and 1860s, was an Augustinian priest. There are today evolutionary biologists who are also members of the clergy. I know of one from a small university in Rochester, NY.

Answer 6

GOD wants for all of us to be open minded. There is nothing wrong with studying materials that are interesting. Unless, of course, there is some in-depth studying of Lucifer himself. Then I would agree that you would not be studying any part of that type of material. I wish you success in your studies. What shall we then say to these things? If GOD be for us, WHO can be against us? - Romans 8:31 The Lord daily loadeth us with BENEFITS, even the GOD of our salvation. Selah

Answer 7

Depends on the area of anthropology you choose to specialize in. Biological anthropology will focus quite heavily on evolution of the human species, while cultural or linguistic anthropology can focus on other thigns, such as religion, languages, food, technology...pretty much anything that is culture.

I would suggest, whether or not you major in Anthropology, take a few courses in the field, because it will help you with your other studies, and it is incredibly interested.

University is about challenging yourself little by little and growing up. And sometimes that means questions the reason why things are the way they are (not to say your faith, in its very essence, but the way in which other people perceive things, culturally)

Answer 8

Not all Christians reject science or evolution.

IF you want to study antrhopology, then you need to accept evolution -- it's real science, after all.

If you refuse to accept scince, including evolution, then you'd never make it in anthropology.

Th people who have told you "macro-volution hasn't ben provn...") have been either mis-informed, or lying.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/in...

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life...

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/bein...

But you don't have to believe myth or fantasy to be a Christian. Most Christians accept science. If your religion can't stand up under truth, it's not worth keeping.

Answer 9

learning and science never contradicts any of the religions whatever they are. if you really like the field you should go through it and be sure your belief in god will never be changed because learning about anything god created deepens our belief in God and deepens our faith and if they interfere be sure it is only a matter of misunderstanding not more not less.......go for it.

Answer 10

If you have a hard time accepting evolution then you might find it difficult, because evolution is crucial for understanding the world we live in.  Not just for anthropology, but other fields as well.  But you shouldn't study something just because it goes along with your already preconceived views.  Your young so you should be trying to hear as many points of views as possible.  Besides, a lot of fields of study contradict what the bible says:

Biology:  life evolved, not created in 6 days.

Geology:  There never was a global flood.

Linguistics:  Language evolved, didn't form after the fall of Babel.

Archeology:  No evidence for anything remotely resembling the story of Moses and the jews in Egypt.  

Philosophy/ethics:  Using god as the basis of morality is a terrible idea.  See Plato's "Euthyphro"

Religious studies:  Most of the stories in the bible evolved from older religions.

I'm an atheist and I took an anthropology of religion class.  I was surprised when I learned that I was in the minority in the class.  Most were new age, hippie spiritual unitarian types, and then a 4 or 5 christians and then maybe 2 or 3 atheists.  From the beginning the class wasn't about trying to change anyone's faith.

Plus, anthropology is a diverse field, so if you don't want to study as much of the evolution stuff (which you should) you could focus less on physical anthropology and more on cultural anthropology.

And I remember hearing about one Christian anthropologist speaking somewhere at a church near my campus, but that I think is rare.