Do You Believe In Evolution?

[michephantom]

Do you? Explain why/ why not.

I am an athiest, and have been for about 10 years. I have always believed in evolution since I first learned about it. However, in a fit of boredom, I started reading my christian roomate's book, "The Case for a Creator". I only started, but in it were a few disturbingly good arguments:

1. Science has proved that in the early period of earth, conditions were right to spontaneously produce amino acids, which lead to the development of cells- Apparently later experiments disproved that, saying it would be very improbably for amino acids to naturally form from the existing molecules

2. Different species slowly evolved through time, explaining how such diverse species came from single cells- but there are instances in history when species suddenly appear that are far different from previous animals

3. All embryos in early stages of life are very similar, proving the idea that we all have a common ancestor- except apparently a lot of embryos are very different.

So, I hope this isn't too scientific and complicated (I know a lot of you are still in high school), but I'd be very interested in what you all think. Are we related to monkeys, or to two naked people?

 

[The Senator]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Do you realize what you have done?!

Do you realize what horror you have unleashed here??!

This cannot end well.

 

[Silk Spectre]

I do, the evidence/proof of evolution in everywhere. Human DNA is 95-99% the same as chimps. More proof of evolution exists in lower life forms with short life spans. Bugs that become immune to poison, germs that resist antibiotics. The huge variety in human appearance.

 

[Hotwire]

Evolution vs. Creation........
Evolution was created.

 

[The Battousai]

Do you? Explain why/ why not.

I personally don't think it's a "belief", but I do think it is how life developed on this planet.

I am an athiest, and have been for about 10 years. I have always believed in evolution since I first learned about it. However, in a fit of boredom, I started reading my christian roomate's book, "The Case for a Creator". I only started, but in it were a few disturbingly good arguments:

*sigh*

Let's see...

1. Science has proved that in the early period of earth, conditions were right to spontaneously produce amino acids, which lead to the development of cells- Apparently later experiments disproved that, saying it would be very improbably for amino acids to naturally form from the existing molecules

THIS IS NOT EVOLUTIONARY STUDY (common misunderstanding)

It concerns the study of Abiogenesis alone.

2. Different species slowly evolved through time, explaining how such diverse species came from single cells- but there are instances in history when species suddenly appear that are far different from previous animals

This is simple - not every creature that has died has left a discernable and identifiable record of its existence.

The process of fossilization is very precise and hasn't occured very often in contrast to the amount of living things that have come and gone throughout life on this planet.

Fossilization

Fossil Record

3. All embryos in early stages of life are very similar, proving the idea that we all have a common ancestor- except apparently a lot of embryos are very different.

Of COURSE they're different currently - do you not understand the basic tenets of evolution?

Helpful Links

So, I hope this isn't too scientific and complicated (I know a lot of you are still in high school), but I'd be very interested in what you all think. Are we related to monkeys, or to two naked people?

I'm sorry, but in order to fully understand what people are basing their opinions on they need to first actually KNOW what that is.

This is embarrassing, to be honest

 

[The Battousai]

Evolution vs. Creation........
Evolution was created.

The concept, perhaps

 

[Hotwire]

The concept, perhaps

See, when I first held my baby daughter a year ago, I realized that this perfect little life could not have happened by accident. BUt at the same time I can easily believe that whatever higher power created the miracle of life, had to foresight to allow these lifeforms the ability to evolve.

 

[Ash J. Williams]

Do you? Explain why/ why not.

I am an athiest, and have been for about 10 years. I have always believed in evolution since I first learned about it. However, in a fit of boredom, I started reading my christian roomate's book, "The Case for a Creator". I only started, but in it were a few disturbingly good arguments:

1. Science has proved that in the early period of earth, conditions were right to spontaneously produce amino acids, which lead to the development of cells- Apparently later experiments disproved that, saying it would be very improbably for amino acids to naturally form from the existing molecules

2. Different species slowly evolved through time, explaining how such diverse species came from single cells- but there are instances in history when species suddenly appear that are far different from previous animals

3. All embryos in early stages of life are very similar, proving the idea that we all have a common ancestor- except apparently a lot of embryos are very different.

So, I hope this isn't too scientific and complicated (I know a lot of you are still in high school), but I'd be very interested in what you all think. Are we related to monkeys, or to two naked people?

I'm afraid evolution has made a monkey out of you.

 

[The Battousai]

See, when I first held my baby daughter a year ago, I realized that this perfect little life could not have happened by accident. BUt at the same time I can easily believe that whatever higher power created the miracle of life, had to foresight to allow these lifeforms the ability to evolve.

No one's saying your daughter's an accident

Maybe you should take the advice I outlined above and read about the subject before denouncing it outright - I gave several reliable sources

 

[Abstract]

I believe in evolution, I've done several Archaeology classes as electives and the evidence for evolution is undeniable. For me it's the same as gravity, an undeniable natural force. We evolved along with other apes in a process spanning hundreds of thousands of years from a common ancestor. This process continues today, although, less noticeably in humans.

As for the reasons for life and its origins, since we're unlikely to ever know (unless we create life) an intelligent creator is as good an explanation as any. I'm definitely an agnostic however.

 

[Abstract]

I believe in evolution, I've done several Archaeology classes as electives and the evidence for evolution is undeniable. For me it's the same as gravity, an undeniable natural force. We evolved along with other apes in a process spanning hundreds of thousands of years from a common ancestor. This process continues today, although, less noticeably in humans.

As for the reasons for life and its origins, since we're unlikely to ever know (unless we create life) an intelligent creator is as good an explanation as any. I'm definitely an agnostic however.

 

[Magenta666]

i believe in evolution

 

[SuperFerret]

Evolution is a real phenomenon, although many misunderstand it completely. I personally adhere closer to the "intelligent design" school of thought, albeit in the vein of that the original creations were "programmed" to change slightly depending on the genes being expressed in the individual, AND if that individuals slight changes give it a slightly better chance of procreating that those slight alterations would be mostly passed on. In short, organisms were created but the development of them was mostly untouched by the creator, somewhat like the way free will exists.

 

[michephantom]

I was just asking for evryone's opinion- and of course, since this is the internet, SOME people have to get defensive...

I personally don't think it's a "belief", but I do think it is how life developed on this planet.

Well, evolution IS a theory, right? And a theory IS a belief... is evolution a law, like gravity?

THIS IS NOT EVOLUTIONARY STUDY (common misunderstanding)

It concerns the study of Abiogenesis alone.

Saving link, will read tommorrow.

Of COURSE they're different currently - do you not understand the basic tenets of evolution?

Helpful Links

What I meant was that it has been proposed that all embryos begin development the same, then begin growing into completely different organisms. This is what is printed in textbooks. Then it is said that this helps prove a sharing of a common ancestor because we are all similar as embryos. Like, everyone has gills and a tail

I'm sorry, but in order to fully understand what people are basing their opinions on they need to first actually KNOW what that is.

This is embarrassing, to be honest

A discussion to pursue truth is embarrassing? No, opening a museum that sets Adam and Eve with the dinosaurs is embarrassing. I wanted to know if anyone had some good arguments against the book's, which you provided. I believe in evolution, but I want to know what other people think, too.

 

[Joker]

I subscribe to the controversial theory that the universe and mankind were created by Bruce Campbell, because he needed someone to save from the deadites and giant bugs.

 

[michephantom]

I believe in evolution... For me it's the same as gravity, an undeniable natural force. quote]

I feel the same way, but I was stunned to learn my roomate didn't believe. Then she was surprised that I DID. I know that there are many people out there who don't, but it felt weird to have a friend who didn't- such a radically different point of veiw.

 

[The Battousai]

I was just asking for evryone's opinion- and of course, since this is the internet, SOME people have to get defensive...

^ This statement is, too

Well, evolution IS a theory, right? And a theory IS a belief... is evolution a law, like gravity?

I don't know - is "scientific theory" a belief?

Here

What I meant was that it has been proposed that all embryos begin development the same, then begin growing into completely different organisms. This is what is printed in textbooks. Then it is said that this helps prove a sharing of a common ancestor because we are all similar as embryos. Like, everyone has gills and a tail

Yes - this is common knowledge - however, the reason for this is DNA and RNA.

The encoded genetic blueprints determine how the various cells of a species will develop during its development and life.

A discussion to pursue truth is embarrassing?

That's not what I was referring to, but it doesn't matter - it was an unnecessary comment on my part.

No, opening a museum that sets Adam and Eve with the dinosaurs is embarrassing.

As well as Liberty University.

I wanted to know if anyone had some good arguments against the book's, which you provided. I believe in evolution, but I want to know what other people think, too.

Fair enough - I was simply surprised by the arguments presented (I thought I was in the "Do you believe..." thread for a moment )

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Do you? Explain why/ why not.

I am an athiest, and have been for about 10 years. I have always believed in evolution since I first learned about it. However, in a fit of boredom, I started reading my christian roomate's book, "The Case for a Creator". I only started, but in it were a few disturbingly good arguments:

1. Science has proved that in the early period of earth, conditions were right to spontaneously produce amino acids, which lead to the development of cells- Apparently later experiments disproved that, saying it would be very improbably for amino acids to naturally form from the existing molecules

2. Different species slowly evolved through time, explaining how such diverse species came from single cells- but there are instances in history when species suddenly appear that are far different from previous animals

3. All embryos in early stages of life are very similar, proving the idea that we all have a common ancestor- except apparently a lot of embryos are very different.

So, I hope this isn't too scientific and complicated (I know a lot of you are still in high school), but I'd be very interested in what you all think. Are we related to monkeys, or to two naked people?

I personally believe that there are 6 different forms of evolution commonly studied today, but only one of them is scientifically provable through verifiable visual evidence. People are free to think or believe whatever they wish, but that doesn't necessarily validate such beliefs. From what I've heard and seen, it basically breaks down like this...

Cosmic Evolution is the belief that time, space and matter originated from absolutely nothing, which somehow exploded in space billions of years ago. Scientists today refer to this event as the "Big Bang theory".

Chemical Evolution postulates that all the elements on the Periodic Table began as molecules of hydrogen and possibly helium. Basically, the theory states that all forms of matter (iron, zinc, carbon, wood, etc.) were born from different cobinations of those two elements over time, through fusion. Well, iron doesn't fuse too well, so that puts a bit of a wrench into the works. Also, you're left with a bit of a "catch 22" situation, because you'd need elements to make the stars, and stars to make the elements.

Stellar Evolution teaches that all the stars and planets in existence were all born in the Big Bang. Well, if that's really true...whey are they so drastically different? Some stars exist as nothing but balls of dust or gas, while others have genuine surfaces (such as our Moon).

Organic Evolution states that life was spontaneously born from inanimate matter, eons ago. Most diehard evolutionists will tell you we came from primordial ooze or soup...but if pressed, they'll say the soup was created by rain falling on rocks over millions of years, and it somehow came alive all by itself. Huh?!

Macro-Evolution is a theory suggesting that the animals all changed drastically from different kinds over the centuries (i.e. amoeba to fish, fish to frog, frog to bird, bird to cat, cat to ape, and ape to man (or similar ideas). One of the huge prblems with that theor is the obvious presence of animals in the world today, existing beside mankind. If all the animals evolved over time, then why are so many different kinds still here?

Micro-Evolution suggests that small variations occur within the actual kinds of animals on the planet...and it is also the only belief of these which can be conclusively proven as fact. Think about it: you have tuna, salmon, and trout, but they all have one thing in common: they're all fish. Similarly, you have lions, bobcats, tigers, and domestic felines...but they're all cats. And, it hapens with people, too. We have Caucasians, Africans, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Native Americans, and more...but all of them are people. Variations within set kinds are the only method of evolution that's been conclusively proven, so it's the only one I believe in.

For more than a century, humans have tried to prove the existence of the other five types...and no one has ever proven their existences 100%...never. People say it, and believe it, as is their right. But that doesn't automatically mean it's true.

 

[The Battousai]

it was bound to happen...

 

[The Senator]

Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[chaseter]

Ugh...prepare for lectures that lead to mud becoming mountains and Jesus living with dinosaurs. I personally feel sorry for people that do not believe in evolution. I feel sorry that they were raised in such a manner to blind them into bigotry. I hardly ever hear of atheists converting into a creationist and actually believing the later over the former.

 

[The Battousai]

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Now, why would I do that?

 

[The Senator]

Ugh...prepare for lectures that lead to mud becoming mountains and Jesus living with dinosaurs. I personally feel sorry for people that do not believe in evolution. I feel sorry that they were raised in such a manner to blind them into bigotry. I hardly ever hear of atheists converting into a creationist and actually believing the later over the former.

But if we come from monkeys, how come there are still monkeys? [/Christian]

 

[chaseter]

But if we come from monkeys, how come there are still monkeys? [/Christian]

To ride dogs, wear cowboy hats, and smoke cigarattes.

 

[Ghostvirus]

God I love these threads. It gives the pretentious something to do. Like giving a dog a squeek toy.