jayleew,
It has had a negative impact because I believed it to be absolute, verifiable truth as responsible for the origins of life.
That is one of the largest misconceptions of evolution. I don't know what school you went to, but don't blame evolution. Evolution is NOT the origin of life, it is the origin of SPECIES. Nowhere have I seen evolution state how life came to be on this Earth.
I was in awe that there was controversy to something I had believed to be fact. It's quite like finding out the Earth is round when you've been told by your teachers (whom you respect and revere) that the Earth is flat.
There are said to be two parts of evolution: micro-evolution and macro-evolution. Micro-evolution IS a proven fact, believe it or not. Macro-evolution is what you guys may say "theory." Something is wrong with your school is all.
Furthermore, this logic and reason has had a negative effect on my belief in God. It has impeded my Christian walk, and therefore not given me a fair shake to believe what I would like to believe. It drew me away and made it impossible to believe in God.
Can be said about the kid who was raised Christian and then shown evolution. Anyhow, evolution is usually not taught in elementary school (if you were, then you had a funked up school, maybe you should have sued them), evolution is taught in high school biology classes, and perhaps even in middle school. By that time, you had the ability to think fully for yourself and take things to what seem right to you, and not as a naive child who takes whatever is told (such as Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy).
Ignorance is bliss, I would rather have been told of Darwin's theory later in life. Teach evolution, but keep the theories of the origins of life for college or extracurricular material, and allow everyone the freedom to believe what they wish.
Again, I'd like to emphasize BAD SCHOOL and evolution is NOT the origin of LIFE.
I thank God that God saved me and came to me because through it all, I had hope.
Good for you. Stay out of jail and have a Merry Christmas.
In conclusion, evolution is not the theory for origin of life, it is the origin of species. And your school should have taught evolution late in middle school or in high school, if you felt it to have been forced upon you, then it seems you are just easily manipulated at that age (no offense). However, if you were taught it in elementary school, then it is not evolution's fault, it is the school's.
[Renrue]
P.S. I have NOT stated anything about proving a faith wrong, I am simply and merely stating the facts.