Evolution: an evil plot, or sound science?

Originally posted by TheBear
What is defined as 'conclusive' evidence?

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This is an important question, because critics have obviously set the evidentiary bar for evolution extremely high.

For example, believers have no trouble fanatically debating the reality of different faith positions, but then ignore all of the evidence supporting evolution.

I think that some of them want to see an individual creature suddenly sprout wings and fly away, as if that is what evolution predicts. Oh wait, that was a test of faith from God. I need to see it happen again.

Originally posted by seebs
Well, it should be pretty easy, if it is false.

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Evidence doesn't mean its proven. And if it isn't "proven" then it can't be "disproven". Its subjective.

Ray,

I love your sense of humor. ("You type all-caps to get your point across, I type size=4, bold.... Back at ya!")


John

Originally posted by Ray K
ARCHAEOPTERYX IS A CLEAR INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN BIRDS AND REPTILES. IF THE FEATHERS WERE NOT VISIBLE IN THE SLATE, IT WOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS A REPTILE BECAUSE IT HAS FRONT CLAWS, SHARP TEETH AND A LONG TAIL.

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How do you know it just was its own species that never evolved and just went extinct? Maybe a strange bacteria inside a meteor that hit the earth infecting a few reptiles and caused the strange mutation, and it had nothing to do with evolution.

Originally posted by unworthyone


Maybe a strange bacteria inside a meteor that hit the earth infecting a few reptiles and caused the strange mutation, and it had nothing to do with evolution.

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A strange bacteria from space that caused a stange mutation is evolution, particularly if that mutation confers a reproductive advantage that was passed on.

Originally posted by unworthyone


How do you know it just was its own species that never evolved and just went extinct? Maybe a strange bacteria inside a meteor that hit the earth infecting a few reptiles and caused the strange mutation, and it had nothing to do with evolution.

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Riiiiiiiight. You have just concocted a scenario far more improbable that still creates speciation. A bacteria that causes lizards to grow wings? Shyeah, right. And monkeys might fly out of my butt.

Of course, there is no denying that archeopteryx is essentially a reptile with wings, thereby providing an excellent example of an intermediate species.

What would be a cross between fish and amphibians? How about a fish with lungs AND gills and lobe fins? Oops, that has already been found too.

What would an intermediate between reptiles and mammals look like? How about a mammal with primitive mammary glands that still lays eggs. Oops, got one of those, too.

You see, archaeopteryx is not the ONLY transitional species known, so your mutating bacteria have a lot more work to do.

Originally posted by ANITA
IS SURE SEEMS STRANGE THAT ALL THOSE "SCIENTIST" WHO ARE TRYING TO PROVE EVOLUTION, AND ALL THAT TAXPAYERS MONEY BEING SPENT TO DO SO, AND YET, NOT ONE BIT OF DEMONSTRATABLE, OBSERVABLE OR REPEATABLE EVIDENCE EXISTS CONCLUSIVELY. IF THERE IS ANY REAL EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION, OR MISSING LINKS, OR THE BIG BANG ETC, ETC, ETC, WHY THEN IT WOULD WOULD THEN BECOME ACADEMIC, YET IT'S NOT.
THEORIES ARE ALL THAT EXISTS. NOT ONE INTERMEDIATE SPECIES, ZIPPO, NADA...SEEMS LIKE "THEY" MIGHT CONSIDER WHAT WE CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN TELLING THEM ALL ALONG, BUT WAIT, THEN IT WOULD BE RELIGION, LOL. AND THEY SAY THEIR THEORIES ARE "SCIENCE". BLESS EM LORD, HELP THEM SEE THE TRUTH THEY SEEK SO DILIGENTLY.

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Umm, I hate to rain on your parade, but there are no scientists trying to "prove" evolution. For all practical purposes, this has already been done in over a hundred years of research. Most of us are moving on, while creation "scientists" are still fighting the battle of the last century.

Originally posted by unworthyone


How do you know it just was its own species that never evolved and just went extinct? Maybe a strange bacteria inside a meteor that hit the earth infecting a few reptiles and caused the strange mutation, and it had nothing to do with evolution.

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We don't. However, archie is clearly an intermediate. Funny that it should occur before the first true birds and after the first dinosaurs. How many coincidences do we need to line up for you?

Now, do we need to discuss Occam's razor?

Originally posted by edgeo
We don't. However, archie is clearly an intermediate. Funny that it should occur before the first true birds and after the first dinosaurs. How many coincidences do we need to line up for you?
Now, do we need to discuss Occam's razor?

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Not unless you plan on "shaving" some shady theories.

If it was "clearly" an intermediate then it would be proof for evolution, but the fact that you never observed its design it shows it is not clear and only a subjective proof that you choose to accept with minimal reason.

Originally posted by unworthyone


Not unless you plan on "shaving" some shady theories.

If it was "clearly" an intermediate then it would be proof for evolution, but the fact that you never observed its design it shows it is not clear and only a subjective proof that you choose to accept with minimal reason.

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It's clear in that, if you were to describe an intermediate state between mirds and reptiles, that's what you'd end up describing; the first thing to suggest would be "I dunno, replace the scales with feathers".

Of course we can't *prove* it, since we didn't observe it... But it's very good evidence.

Theoretically, if I pray for someone to get well, and they get well, and the doctors are mystified, I haven't *proved* that God acted... But you can bet that the story will play an active role in any future witnessing I do. (I've never seen such blatant miracles, but I know people who have.)

ARCHAEOPTERYX IS NOT AN INTERMEDIATE SPECIES AT ALL. THAT IS ONLY WISHFUL THINKING OF EVOLUTIONIST. IT IS A BIRD.....IT MAY BE AN EXTINCT BIRD, BUT IT IS STILL A BIRD. OTHER BIRDS ARE EXTINCT TOO, DOES THAT MAKE THEM MISSING LINKS, LOL. THE DESIGN OF THAT BIRD MAY BE UNUSUAL, BUT A BIRD IT IS...

SINCE SCALES AND FEATHERS BOTH HAVE KERATIN, PERHAPS THAT INDICATES A SIMILAR DESIGNER LIKE G O D !!!

KERATIN PROTIENS THAT IS

Originally posted by ANITA
SINCE SCALES AND FEATHERS BOTH HAVE KERATIN, PERHAPS THAT INDICATES A SIMILAR DESIGNER LIKE G O D !!!

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And yet, this would be exactly the sort of thing evolutionary theory would predict!

Originally posted by ANITA
ARCHAEOPTERYX IS NOT AN INTERMEDIATE SPECIES AT ALL. THAT IS ONLY WISHFUL THINKING OF EVOLUTIONIST. IT IS A BIRD.....IT MAY BE AN EXTINCT BIRD, BUT IT IS STILL A BIRD. OTHER BIRDS ARE EXTINCT TOO, DOES THAT MAKE THEM MISSING LINKS, LOL. THE DESIGN OF THAT BIRD MAY BE UNUSUAL, BUT A BIRD IT IS...

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YES, OF COURSE IT IS AN INTERMEDIATE SPECIES. HOW MANY BIRDS DO YOU SEE TODAY WITH TEETH, CLAWS AND LONG TAILS? YOU COULD COUNT THEM ON ONE FINGER AND STILL HAVE ONE FINGER LEFT OVER. YOU ARE SIMPLY IN DENIAL ABOUT EVIDENCE THAT IS AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE

Originally posted by ANITA
SINCE SCALES AND FEATHERS BOTH HAVE KERATIN, PERHAPS THAT INDICATES A SIMILAR DESIGNER LIKE G O D !!!

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WHAT POOR LOGIC. SINCE OUR BONES HAVE CALCIUM, DOES THAT MEAN WE SHARE A COMMON DESIGN WITH ROCKS?

THE BIBLE AND HARRY POTTER ARE BOTH MADE OUT OF PAPER.

REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT HOW GOD DESIGNED EVERYTHING.

Originally posted by mac_philo
THE BIBLE AND HARRY POTTER ARE BOTH MADE OUT OF PAPER.
REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT HOW GOD DESIGNED EVERYTHING.

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The elements of paper are made by God.

But you don't know God, so you really couldn't make that observation.

Originally posted by mac_philo
THE BIBLE AND HARRY POTTER ARE BOTH MADE OUT OF PAPER.

REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT HOW GOD DESIGNED EVERYTHING.

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Now, now, be nice. It's not good to mock people who type in all caps by shouting at them.

I'm also not convinced you're arguing much of a point here...

Originally posted by Ray K
WHAT POOR LOGIC. SINCE OUR BONES HAVE CALCIUM, DOES THAT MEAN WE SHARE A COMMON DESIGN WITH ROCKS?

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Yes.