6643 replies to this topic

[GENTLYPORKING]

If I explain how evolution theories fit snugly inside of creationist theories, can we all learn to love each other and get along?

The issue is that you are using theory twice in this sentence, but in the context mean completely different things.

The first theory uses the scientific theory definition: In science, a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

While the second instance uses the layman definition (since creationist theory has not gone through the rigorous testing by independent bodies that evolutionary theory has gone through): a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural and subject to experimentation, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

It's like fitting a square peg in a circular hole.

Or it's like trying to connect the theory of gravity with the theory that my nephew thinks the puppets on Yo Gabba Gabba really exist.

[Omigadrive]

Or it's like trying to connect the theory of gravity with the theory that my nephew thinks the puppets on Yo Gabba Gabba really exist.

They do. But the government won't let me reveal the details.

[arise_shine]

Strange how some Christians demand a much higher level of "evidence" for evolution than they require for their own beliefs.

fixed.

i'm tend to think of myself as very christian (eastern orthodox) and i don't require any further proof of evolution to know that it happened. (:

Yes. Thanks for correcting me. I know not all Christians are anti-evolution. I should have been more specific. I apologize.

[GENTLYPORKING]

Strange how some Christians demand a much higher level of "evidence" for evolution than they require for their own beliefs.

fixed.

i'm tend to think of myself as very christian (eastern orthodox) and i don't require any further proof of evolution to know that it happened. (:

Yes. Thanks for correcting me. I know not all Christians are anti-evolution. I should have been more specific. I apologize.

It was strange by my Catholic school taught evolution and regarded much of the Old Testament as parables. I distinctly remembering a lecture with the pastor of the church discussing how the story of Noah and the ark didn't happen because the idea of getting every animal, insect and reptile on one boat was ludicrous, and should be taken as a parable only.

[TheoConfidor]

So far I'm about 50% through the TalkOrigins site. I'm not really going to address any specific arguments for or against evolution until I finish.

In the mean, I have a discussion question for all of you who believe in evolution. In the past, some of you have asked why I am a Christian, and I have offered an answer. Now, I'd like to ask you:

Why do you believe in macroevolution? What convinced you that macroevolution was true?

[GENTLYPORKING]

So far I'm about 50% through the TalkOrigins site. I'm not really going to address any specific arguments for or against evolution until I finish.

In the mean, I have a discussion question for all of you who believe in evolution. In the past, some of you have asked why I am a Christian, and I have offered an answer. Now, I'd like to ask you:

Why do you believe in macroevolution? What convinced you that macroevolution was true?

This is a difficult question to answer, especially with how you phrased it. As long as I remember, macroevolution was always discussed and taught in school -- from my Catholic elementary school, to my high school AP Biology, to my life science class taken in college.

Your wordage is a bit strange since you wouldn't ask, "Why do you believe one plus one is two? Why do you believe Washington was the first president?"

For me, the theory presented (with the inclusion of transitional fossils and the geological history of the earth) makes sense to me. It also doesn't take a huge leap of faith (at least for me) to infer, with the evidence working in tandem, that if we can witness micro evolution (which I believe you've already stated you acknowledge), why is the idea of evolution playing out over a longer period of time absurd?

Do we have all the answers? No, there still a lot of work to be done. There's still quite a few holes to fill.

[Rize]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

[GENTLYPORKING]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

I don't know if I would put genetic mutation of only one in the same boat as this. If we had a whole generation of carnival freaks, than that would be different.

[Omigadrive]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

I don't know if I would put genetic mutation of only one in the same boat as this. If we had a whole generation of carnival freaks, than that would be different.

I thought that's what this forum was for? That's why I'm here.

[norg]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

I don't know if I would put genetic mutation of only one in the same boat as this. If we had a whole generation of carnival freaks, than that would be different.

I thought that's what this forum was for? That's why I'm here.

i thought you were here to review old DoD entries. o.O

[Omigadrive]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

I don't know if I would put genetic mutation of only one in the same boat as this. If we had a whole generation of carnival freaks, than that would be different.

I thought that's what this forum was for? That's why I'm here.

i thought you were here to review old DoD entries. o.O

That is merely an extra. I haven't had enough of a break this month to get to it but hopefully things will be more normal come may

[Rize]

Well, among other things, belief in evolution helps me to cope with this.

I don't know if I would put genetic mutation of only one in the same boat as this. If we had a whole generation of carnival freaks, than that would be different.

It's just the tip of the iceberg. Unmitigated genetic mutation suggests to me that God has no direct hand in anything. The carnival freaks always made me uncomfortable when I was a sort-of Christian. Why is it necessary for God to allow such extreme manifestations of deformity? Why do people have such a high threshold for pain? Why is evil necessary, to the extent that it can and does occur, to any plans of God? These things tell me the "design" of organisms is opportunistic not fortuitous. In the world around me, I see randomness directed by natural section not any evidence of design.

[Ryan8bit]

So yeah, I find it interesting that Qualia Soup uploaded a video yesterday that pretty much covers what I was recently talking about with negative claims and the burden of proof:



Isn't this the second time that's happened?

[Guy In Rubber Suit]

Why do you believe in macroevolution? What convinced you that macroevolution was true?

Because of the enormous amounts of evidence spread across a wide amount of scientific fields has shown macroevolution to be true. I don't think there was any one thing that convinced me that macroevolution was true, other than just reading about it and it made sense. It could be that, since I was never brought up in a religious household that I was predisposed to go to a scientific explanation rather than use a fairytale to explain such things away.

I certainly never stopped learning about evolution and reading up more about it has definitely answered questions I of had or make me realize, with better understanding, what is happening.

I'm reading the Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins, and it has done a good job so far explaining evolution, or rather, why a designer is not needed.

[weener]

Unrelated to evolution, but awesome:

I really enjoyed this story by a woman who devoted to the "Quiverfull" variety of Christianity, when her husband revealed that he believed he was transgender. They really love each other, and after some time, the wife starts to come to terms with her attraction to women, the husband decides to transition, and they decide to stay married and live their lives as a lesbian couple with their four children.