Does Evolution Matter?

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

Until I was 40, I didn't care.

When I was 50, I began thinking about it.

A life almost gone, without having wondered about it.

Did it make me happier knowing? No.
Did it make me sadder knowing? Kinda.

It took some of the magic away, some of the stuff I praised God for.

Yet, even if it took the whole Universe away, how would it take away the blessed joy in a Child's eyes?

Maybe I'll get to be 60, and know all there is to know.

For tonight, there's Tracy Chapman.
Sleep tight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2u-jgng9Vw

 

[Golden Yak]

The truth matters, and evolution is a part of that.

People who say it isn't true are not telling the truth, and it's important to deal with that as well.

How much it affects someone personally will really depend on the person. But people who don't tell the truth might could say anything, which can impact someone a great deal.

 

[whois]

People who say it isn't true are not telling the truth, and it's important to deal with that as well.

what is the truth of evolution?
darwin did a reasonable job into pointing out a naturalistic cause, but his theories were soon challenged and extended into neodarwinism (modern synthesis).
integrative biology is bringing out the fact that neodarwinism is also not correct and again another synthesis is looming, but this time it's highly likely it will be a reintegration instead of an extension.
it appears that phyla is a fundamental unit in biology, there doesn't seem to be any "gradual shading" taking place.

 

[sandybay]

Outside of creationism evolution is not a topic of conversation for the man or woman in the street, I never think about it and I'm sure if it wasn't for their religious needs neither would creationists.

Evolution however is a fact, some won't like it and some won't care either way it makes no difference to evolution.
Those who use it will continue to use it and work with it.

Life will continue to evolve on earth if needed right up until the time when life on earth ceases to exist.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

The truth matters, and evolution is a part of that.

People who say it isn't true are not telling the truth, and it's important to deal with that as well.

How much it affects someone personally will really depend on the person. But people who don't tell the truth might could say anything, which can impact someone a great deal.

I guess that goes for any knowledge which is covered up with lies. You find out one day that your partner has been cheating on you for years and years, it's gonna eat your heart out -- but in then end you move on. Perhaps less impressed with knowledge one becomes skeptical, over cautious, clingy and develop an ulcer from worry and lives alone in a little flat, scowling at the passers by?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUEA5NWlQU0

~~~
Video: Jethro Tull - Acqualung.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

Outside of creationism evolution is not a topic of conversation for the man or woman in the street, I never think about it and I'm sure if it wasn't for their religious needs neither would creationists.

You nearly got me going there.

What do students talk about on Spring break? or in the cafeteria?

Evolution is very sexy.
Perhaps it's true potential as an aphrodisiac, or source of spicy pick-up lines -- is yet to be uncovered.

Michael Schermer sure gets a lot of mileage out of talking about everything.*

~~~
* The pattern behind self-deception (at TEDX) : Michael Shermer: The pattern behind self-deception | Talk Video | TED.com

 

[sandybay]

Outside of creationism evolution is not a topic of conversation for the man or woman in the street, I never think about it and I'm sure if it wasn't for their religious needs neither would creationists.

You nearly got me going there.

What do students talk about on Spring break? or in the cafeteria?

They talk and think about sex not evolution, evolution is the very last thing on their minds.
The only people who talk about evolution on Spring break are creationists.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

They talk and think about sex not evolution, evolution is the very last thing on their minds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJhklPJz9U8

Yet sex and evolution have so much in common. Surely?

~~~
Video: Christopher Ryan: Are we designed to be sexual omnivores?

 

[crjmurray]

The fact that people deny basic science is what matters.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

The fact that people deny basic science is what matters.

Yes, people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPlQ6EtArSc

+++
Video: Barbara Streisand sings 'People' (matter)

 

[Strathos]

To me, learning about how intricate the universe and the mechanisms within it are makes me appreciate God even more.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

To me, learning about how intricate the universe and the mechanisms within it are makes me appreciate God even more.

Strathos,
You talk like a scientist. Am I correct?

I just can't get comfy with it (Evolution), as it seems to conflict heavily with so many established ideas (Christian doctrines).

Do you remember this article by Dr. David Lahti ? *
He's an evolutionary biologist, specializing in Bird and Human evolution, and still kinda holding onto a version of Calvinism ? (the idea of partial depravity -- or was it total depravity?)

~~~
* Why Does Religion Keep Telling Us We're Bad? Why does religion keep telling us we're bad? | David Lahti | Comment is free | The Guardian

 

[Strathos]

The hyper-literalist movement is actually a relatively recent trend in Christianity, a few hundred years ago if you told people that the earth was created in 6 literal days most Christians would disagree with you.

 

[Oncedeceived]

They talk and think about sex not evolution, evolution is the very last thing on their minds.
The only people who talk about evolution on Spring break are creationists.

Do you seriously think that the average person who believes that God created the universe spend their Spring Breaks talking about evolution? Most kids this age don't give two thoughts about religion of any kind even if they do believe in God most of them aren't living according to their faith. Now that being said there are some very mature Christians that are young and who do live their lives in accordance with God but that is rare in the young.

 

[Oncedeceived]

To me, learning about how intricate the universe and the mechanisms within it are makes me appreciate God even more.

Exactly.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

The hyper-literalist movement is actually a relatively recent trend in Christianity, a few hundred years ago if you told people that the earth was created in 6 literal days most Christians would disagree with you.

(my bold)

Well, I guess that would be most educated* Christians.

Didn't St. Augustine change his mind a few times?**

~~~
* http://biologos.org/questions/early-interpretations-of-genesis
** http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/may/22.39.html (*)

(*) '...."In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines our position, we too fall with it." ....'

 

[Oncedeceived]

Strathos,
You talk like a scientist. Am I correct?

I just can't get comfy with it (Evolution), as it seems to conflict heavily with so many established ideas (Christian doctrines).

Do you remember this article by Dr. David Lahti ? *
He's an evolutionary biologist, specializing in Bird and Human evolution, and still kinda holding onto a version of Calvinism ? (the idea of partial depravity -- or was it total depravity?)

~~~
* Why Does Religion Keep Telling Us We're Bad? Why does religion keep telling us we're bad? | David Lahti | Comment is free | The Guardian

One thing I would do Lewis if I were you and just learning about evolution. For a basic understanding about evolution the standard Evolution 101 gives you the needed information about what evolution is about. However, there are two kinds of conversations or dialog of Darwinian evolutionists. The public dialog that claims that there are no problems and it is all fluid and very well understood. Then there are the scientific papers on evolution that do a great job of describing the scientific problems that are found in researching certain aspects of it.

Science has changed in the last forty years or so, evidence led where it would and science would follow. It seems to me that now if there is evidence that would cast a bad light on evolution it is only discussed in the research papers and no mentioned in any public dialog. ID science is shunned just as Galileo was in his day. Science is ultimately harmed whenever ideas are squashed and people refuse to allow free thought.

 

[lewiscalledhimmaster]

'.... ID science is shunned just as Galileo was in his day. ....'

If you want to try and peddle ID on this thread, go for it.

I don't find the need to invoke the divine in order to study Biology, an essential part of it.

 

[whois]

One thing I would do Lewis if I were you and just learning about evolution.

lewis needs to have his "backdoor" henchmen to publicly address me on the posts i made.
how about it lewis?

 

[Oncedeceived]

If you want to try and peddle ID on this thread, go for it.

I don't find the need to invoke the divine in order to study Biology, an essential part of it.

I don't find the need whatsoever. I was using it as an example. Do you have problems with scientific studies that test whether or not evolution is sufficient for evolutionary methods?