Evolution and Religion

[loseyourname]

If what you said was true, that would be fine. The simple fact is that evolutionary theory does explain all that is observed in the biological world, and it does it damn well. The only conclusion I am left with is that you either don't understand the theory all that well or you don't understand the evidence. I am going to guess that you have probably read a lot of anti-evolution propaganda that presented falsehoods and misunderstandings that you accepted at face value. I have read the same things. I don't know what else I can say to you. I am not a professor and I am not going to sit here and teach you everything about evolution. Suffice it to say, the theory is airtight at the moment. It is not non-falsifiable. If irrefutable evidence is ever found that runs contrary to the theory, then it will be discarded. Until then, it remains perhaps the single most useful theory ever developed. It seemlessly ties together previously disparate disciplines within the biological sciences with an elegance that will only be matched when physicists finally uncover their unified theory of everything. With every new bit of information that is found, particularly in the realm of molecular biology, Darwin's original ideas are made stronger and stronger. My guess is that will continue to be the case. My other guess is that you will die forever obstinate even as the door is slammed shut in your face.

[Anonymouse]

Originally posted by loseyourname I am going to guess that you have probably read a lot of anti-evolution propaganda that presented falsehoods and misunderstandings that you accepted at face value. I have read the same things.

Actually, I haven't read that much work critical of evolution, perhaps in the same amount of reading works pro evolution, and the rest of the time being exposed to in biology class, or physical anthropology, and I came to that based on my own assessment of the evidence, or lack of.

I see no evidence in believing evolution, ,moreover because of its belief that all change is based on haphazard mutations and pure chance. I am of the persuasion that there is inteligence involved in the world, starting with our very own blueprint, the DNA, to truths of mathematics. But that's just me. To believe it is all chance and random is you.

[loseyourname]

Natural selection is most certainly not random. Besides, evolution is the only theory that can explain how complexity might arise from simplicity, from very nearly nothing. Postulating the existence of an intelligent designer only begs the question because that designer is necessarily every bit as complex as our world. Evolution alone satisfies my conscience. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Nonetheless, as I pointed out, if I want to be able to gain new insight into avenues of research in biology, I will use evolutionary theory as surely as a NASA engineer will use relativity theory to send the shuttle into orbit. It works. There is no questioning that.

[Anonymouse]

Originally posted by loseyourname Natural selection is most certainly not random. Besides, evolution is the only theory that can explain how complexity might arise from simplicity

As you said after that sentence, it could also be intelligent intervention. Let's be scientific and leave options open.

[loseyourname]

Originally posted by loseyourname Postulating the existence of an intelligent designer only begs the question because that designer is necessarily every bit as complex as our world.

There you go. Only evolution can explain complexity without postulating preexisting complexity.

[Anonymouse]

That in itself is an assumption Mr. Loser, you are quick to claim in the other thread science doesn't jump to conclusions, yet you are doing exactly the opposite here.

[loseyourname]

How is that an assumption? Give me another theory that you think explains biological complexity without postulating pre-existing complexity and I will show you why it doesn't.

[Anonymouse]

Originally posted by loseyourname How is that an assumption? Give me another theory that you think explains biological complexity without postulating pre-existing complexity and I will show you why it doesn't.

Creation, intelligent intervention, or alien intervention.

[loseyourname]

Originally posted by Anonymouse Creation, intelligent intervention, or alien intervention.

God, aliens and any other form of intelligence are pre-existing complexity. Try again.

[loseyourname]

Still nothing, huh?