Do you accept the theory of evolution?

[Thundercrack85]

I for one reject the THEORY of evolution. It's just a theory, like the theory of gravity.

 

[KalMart]

I for one reject the THEORY of evolution. It's just a theory, like the theory of gravity.

Or theories about geology, or astronomy..

 

[chaseter]

I reject the theory of theories.

 

[Marvolo]

Anyone can present you with an "easy" explanation. Explanations require proof, and Noah's flood has none.

I go with evolution, but the above statement is not entirely true.

There are more than 500 deluge legends known around the world and, in a survey of 86 of these (20 Asiatic, 3 European, 7 African, 46 American and 10 from Australia and the Pacific), 62 were entirely independent of the Mesopotamian and Hebrew accounts. Obviously some catastrophe happened at some point around the world. In the New World more than seventy genera of large mammals became extinct between 15,000 BC and 8000 BC, including all North American members of seven families, and one complete order, the Proboscidea. These staggering losses, involving the violent obliteration of more than forty million animals, were not spread out evenly over the whole period; on the contrary, the vast majority of the extinctions occurred in just two thousand years, between 11,000 BC and 9000 BC.To put this in perspective, during the previous 300,000 years only about twenty genera had disappeared.

During that turbulent time there were many cataclysms happening, and these primitive cultures recorded these events through memory and passed them down to their children and they onto their children until they were written down in the forms we know. Most myths and legends we have come from some far earlier time and from some earlier form. While Noah's flood may be exagarated their is some inspiration behind it. At one point during the big thaw this planet was flooding in various locations and being murderous in ways we humans of today can not even imagine.

We also need to remember that at those times humans were populated in small localized area, and didn't venture far. A large flood to these populations would appear as if it were a world wide flood. Today we know if say the Middle East flooded its not the entire world, but the indigenous people of 10,000 years ago would have thought the whole world was covered in water. This goes for any people of any region during that time.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Most human myths have some basis in reality. The giants of legends were probably old stories of now extinct, gigantic fauna, maybe even giant hominids.

 

[Marvolo]

I know its a fringe theory, but I've always found the idea that a now extinct advance society may have been on the earth 10,000 years ago to be fascinating. Perhaps 'giants' didn't mean giants. Perhaps when these legends were being passed down the people passing them down had no way of comprehending these more advanced societies that there legends were based on so they viewed them as 'giants', or powerful beings. I've always wondered if what primitive man saw as magic and god's was nothing more than a society on this earth who was advanced enough to appear magical and godly. Hell, our science today would seem down right magical to people of 500 years ago. There are 500 year old and older maps from very old old now lost sources that show proper longitude of continents, and ice free Antarctica and periods when Antarctica had ice free shores. In the 1300-1500s longitude was impossible to calculate with any decent accuracy according to mainstream history. Considering Anarctica hasn't been ice free in over 10,000 years these maps draw attention. That long ago mainstream thought says man couldn't have sailed the earth, but some humans had to of. Obviously some society was advanced enough to have mapped out these longitudes and locations. And what about all the history we lost in the destruction of the Library of Alexandria. Its hard telling how much of mankind's history is gone forever because of that human stupidity. For this reason, when looking at these legends and myths and even the bible I think its best to not take theme at face value. A lot of their meaning is lost to us, and its difficult to read between the lines not knowing large chunks of mankind's history.

I'm just spitballing here so please no one jump at me for bringing up this guilty pleasure of mine. I'm fascinated with anthropology and mankinds history. Even the fringe and out there ideas are worth discussing imo. Sorry to derail.

 

[enterthemadness]

Most human myths have some basis in reality. The giants of legends were probably old stories of now extinct, gigantic fauna, maybe even giant hominids.

I'm 5'5. Let's say my name is David. And a 7'0 NBA Center is Goliath. David vs Goliath. ^_^ I'm so short, I stand on my toes at stores sometimes just to reach stuff or peak on next aisle.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I doubt it myself. Though I wouldn't entirely rule out the ancient astronaut theory. Given that we still see strange things in our skies in modern times, I suppose we shouldn't be entirely dismissive of ancient claims. As in "okay, maybe they saw something". However, I really doubt that aliens came to Earth to teach men how to build megalithic stone structures.

Actually Goliath was about 9 feet, which isn't entirely inconceivable. Though he'd probably have serious back problems. And wouldn't have lived long anyway. Assuming they didn't exaggerate.

 

[Marvolo]

I doubt it myself. Though I wouldn't entirely rule out the ancient astronaut theory. Given that we still see strange things in our skies in modern times, I suppose we shouldn't be entirely dismissive of ancient claims. As in "okay, maybe they saw something". However, I really doubt that aliens came to Earth to teach men how to build megalithic stone structures.

Actually Goliath was about 9 feet, which isn't entirely inconceivable. Though he'd probably have serious back problems. And wouldn't have lived long anyway. Assuming they didn't exaggerate.

Yeah, I don't know whether I'm behind the ancient astronaut theory or not. There is evidence, but I wonder if this isn't aliens and just an advanced group of humans. Humans then and now have the same mental capacity, but due to various reasons and boundaries couldn't reach the heights we today have. If a society then could have overcome these boundaries they could have accomplished great things. Considering 95% of the ocean is unexplored, and there are plenty of deserts across the globe its hard telling what is undiscovered or buried. I have no doubt at some point in the future we will discover something marvelous and earth shattering about mankind's past. What that is I can not imagine, but I believe we have yet to discover the greatest part of our past.

 

[WildcatNC]

Do not realize how contradictory this is?
Let me tell you a truth an assumed truth rather until I find out it's wrong then I will tell you what I assume at that point based on what I know until I find out that's not true either???

Its not contradictory at all. Its how you arrive at your ideas, not what your ideas are. Why is it bad to grow and understand more as you gain knowledge?

Again, its based on evidence and observation. Then you arrive at conclusions based on what fits the aforementioned.

If you don't understand that fundamental difference then this is a useless conversation. Its like discussing math with someone who doesn't agree that 1+1=2.

Anyone can believe what they like but this isn't even specific to anything, its just common sense.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Yeah, I don't know whether I'm behind the ancient astronaut theory or not. There is evidence, but I wonder if this isn't aliens and just an advanced group of humans. Humans then and now have the same mental capacity, but due to various reasons and boundaries couldn't reach the heights we today have. If a society then could have overcome these boundaries they could have accomplished great things. Considering 95% of the ocean is unexplored, and there are plenty of deserts across the globe its hard telling what is undiscovered or buried. I have no doubt at some point in the future we will discover something marvelous and earth shattering about mankind's past. What that is I can not imagine, but I believe we have yet to discover the greatest part of our past.

It is a curious thing how we did virtually nothing for more than a hundred thousand years, and then advanced so much in a few thousand years. Especially the last hundred years.

What's truly disturbing is that, virtually everything we have built in the last five thousand years could be gone in the same amount of time it took to build it. Our great cities, all our modern technology, would disintegrate in a few thousand years if we dropped dead today (most of it in a few hundred years). Nature would take it all back. The only things that would stand the test of time are Mount Rushmore, the great pyramids, and a few other stone structures. But most of those would be covered by sand and plant life anyway.

There was a show called Life After People. It really makes you appreciate the "mortality" of our species' legacy.

 

[WildcatNC]

I know its a fringe theory, but I've always found the idea that a now extinct advance society may have been on the earth 10,000 years ago to be fascinating. Perhaps 'giants' didn't mean giants. Perhaps when these legends were being passed down the people passing them down had no way of comprehending these more advanced societies that there legends were based on so they viewed them as 'giants', or powerful beings. I've always wondered if what primitive man saw as magic and god's was nothing more than a society on this earth who was advanced enough to appear magical and godly. Hell, our science today would seem down right magical to people of 500 years ago. There are 500 year old and older maps from very old old now lost sources that show proper longitude of continents, and ice free Antarctica and periods when Antarctica had ice free shores. In the 1300-1500s longitude was impossible to calculate with any decent accuracy according to mainstream history. Considering Anarctica hasn't been ice free in over 10,000 years these maps draw attention. That long ago mainstream thought says man couldn't have sailed the earth, but some humans had to of. Obviously some society was advanced enough to have mapped out these longitudes and locations. And what about all the history we lost in the destruction of the Library of Alexandria. Its hard telling how much of mankind's history is gone forever because of that human stupidity. For this reason, when looking at these legends and myths and even the bible I think its best to not take theme at face value. A lot of their meaning is lost to us, and its difficult to read between the lines not knowing large chunks of mankind's history.

I'm just spitballing here so please no one jump at me for bringing up this guilty pleasure of mine. I'm fascinated with anthropology and mankinds history. Even the fringe and out there ideas are worth discussing imo. Sorry to derail.

This stuff is a HUGE love of mine.


Its not some fringe wacko theory imo. The evidence is mounting year after year and soon we will have to reevaluate our ideas of our beginnings. Catal Huyuk and the site near Gujarat are just the beginning.

 

[Marvolo]

This stuff is a HUGE love of mine.


Its not some fringe wacko theory imo. The evidence is mounting year after year and soon we will have to reevaluate our ideas of our beginnings. Catal Huyuk and the site near Gujarat are just the beginning.

I haven't read about those two, yet.

Lots of evidence in Central America and South America too about our history being different than whats currently thought. Even our recent history may be different There are reports of 2nd and 3rd century era Roman ships off the coast of Brazil, and Egyptian style boats uncovered in Britain. I haven't read too much on the previous two claims, but if correct it would change the history of Brazil and Britain. Interestingly enough, supposedly Brazil will no longer allow underwater excavation by foreigners after that Roman boat was found. Rumor is they are against it being proven because it would rewrite their history, and have implications on their early culture.

 

[WildcatNC]

I haven't read about those two, yet.

Lots of evidence in Central America and South America too about our history being different than whats currently thought. Even our recent history may be different There are reports of 2nd and 3rd century era Roman ships off the coast of Brazil, and Egyptian style boats uncovered in Britain. I haven't read too much on the previous two claims, but if correct it would change the history of Brazil and Britain. Interestingly enough, supposedly Brazil will no longer allow underwater excavation by foreigners after that Roman boat was found. Rumor is they are against it being proven because it would rewrite their history, and have implications on their early culture.

Thats exactly my understanding of it. Its a travesty really. I loathe close minded people sometimes.

There will be MUCH discovered in South America in the futue IMO. We need to be looking off the coastlines. Just like today, ancient man's settlements would have grown up mostly near large bodies of water. After the sea level rose sharply, it left many of our most ancient cities under water yet to be found IMO.

 

[Marvolo]

Thats exactly my understanding of it. Its a travesty really. I loathe close minded people sometimes.

There will be MUCH discovered in South America in the futue IMO. We need to be looking off the coastlines. Just like today, ancient man's settlements would have grown up mostly near large bodies of water. After the sea level rose sharply, it left many of our most ancient cities under water yet to be found IMO.

The fact that we've only searched a minute part of the oceans boggles the mind, when considering the bolded part. I know funding is a major issue, but still. This kind of research could rewrite history for the world over, but humanity wants to spend money killing each other rather than spending money discovering who we are, and where we came from. I'm not fooling myself. Money has to go to defense, and mankind has been killing each other since we've been on this earth, but I just get so aggravated over this.

 

[WildcatNC]

The fact that we've only searched a minute part of the oceans boggles the mind, when considering the bolded part. I know funding is a major issue, but still. This kind of research could rewrite history for the world over, but humanity wants to spend money killing each other rather than spending money discovering who we are, and where we came from. I'm not fooling myself. Money has to go to defense, and mankind has been killing each other since we've been on this earth, but I just get so aggravated over this.

Welcome to dominator culture and western values. Its been going down hill for a long time.

 

[RoughNTumble]

So many people don't understand that scientific theories are the highest form of human knowledge, more than scientific laws.

 

[Sentinel X]

So many people don't understand that scientific theories are the highest form of human knowledge, more than scientific laws.

How is a scientific theory a higher form of human knowledge than a law?

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

Its like discussing math with someone who doesn't agree that 1+1=2.

According to JCVD it doesn't.

 

[jaymes_e06]

So I've been thinking about the links between religion and science a lot latley and its reafirming my belief that they don't have to live in segragation. There are so many interpretations of the Bible and how it is represented (even inconsistancy) like how it alluded to the fact that adam and Eve were not the first beings on Earth; the people who study the more esoteric parts of the Christianty know this. Alas though people feel like evolution, dinosoars, and everything science related that makes humans even a little less special is a sin, pun intended.

 

[Sun_Down]

Everything in science is technically a theory. The whole notion of science is that you constantly challenge your conclusions, always searching for a more precise understanding. You never achieve 100% certainty in science. So calling evolution a theory does not make it an "open question" or "open to debate".

A quick look at a Gallup poll shows that 95% of American scientists believe in either Godless or God-guided evolution - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_of_support_for_evolution#United_States).

So I defer to the experts in this. True scientists on't have agendas; there is no "liberal indoctrination conspiracy." Evolution is simply the best theory that the scientific community has to offer. The theory may be revised or even shown to be faulty, but until then I will go with the vast majority of scientists.

Like global warming, this debate has been tainted by religion and turned into a partisan talking point (note the religious breakdown in the link above). It should not be. Whatever your religious affiliation, you cannot make a straight-faced argument against evolution. Just saying, "It's a theory!" or "There might be evidence somewhere of something" is insufficient. Science, like a court of law, requires evidence. And the vast majority of the evidence points to evolution. It's ridiculous that this is even a question.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Thats exactly my understanding of it. Its a travesty really. I loathe close minded people sometimes.

When it comes down to it, I believe most of the planet preaches open-mindedness, but quickly folds when discoveries hit home. People dread the truth.

There will be MUCH discovered in South America in the futue IMO. We need to be looking off the coastlines. Just like today, ancient man's settlements would have grown up mostly near large bodies of water. After the sea level rose sharply, it left many of our most ancient cities under water yet to be found IMO.

Digging and excavating for clues below our feet is just as important as sending a team of astronauts to Mars. Our oceans practically remain 'untapped' -- filled with ancient knowledge waiting to be uncovered.

Oh... if I were a billionaire.

 

[WildcatNC]

According to JCVD it doesn't.

Jean-Claude Van Damm? t:

When it comes down to it, I believe most of the planet preaches open-mindedness, but quickly folds when discoveries hit home. People dread the truth.



Digging and excavating for clues below our feet is just as important as sending a team of astronauts to Mars. Our oceans practically remain 'untapped' -- filled with ancient knowledge waiting to be uncovered.

Oh... if I were a billionaire.

Oh yea. First thing i'd buy is an Indiana Jones hat. Everything else would fall into place after that.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

One more time in case people forget.

Scientific Hypothesis- Based on observation. Can be disproven with experimentation. Cannot be proven.

Scientific Theory- One or many hypotheses that are supported by many observations and experiments. Evolution, in this case is seemingly supported by every living thing on the planet. So they are accepted to be true unless someone else can show it is wrong and no one through repeated testing has shown evolution is wrong.

Scientific Law- A group of observations that can be used to predict, but not explain. They have no exceptions.

Hypotheses cannot be proven true. They simply follow the hypothesis. But they are based on facts, which are indisputable.

 

[Nevincer]

So many people don't understand that scientific theories are the highest form of human knowledge, more than scientific laws.

This.