Evolution Poll

[goseyn]

How do you feel about evolution? Forget debating the 'facts', what is your opinion?

 

[mac_philo]

If you are being intellectually honest, evolution is simply the air we breathe.

 

[VeraciousMaven]

I think he's talking about the Theory of Evolution, not change mac.

 

[NoilTsorf]

I feel that evolution is one possible theory. I am not convinced that it is true, but I have not heard any other theory that I am 100% sure is true. So I consider it a possible explanation.

Where should that go in your poll?

 

[goseyn]

Good point. I guess if someone felt that evolution was mostly true or flawed but the best theory out there, that I personally would consider that to be part of 'seen enough data to convince me it's true'. Honestly though, if I had the ability to change this poll after the fact, I would add that as an option.

 

[mac_philo]

Science is nothing but the human activity of working with the 'best theories' out there. If you think there's a real difference between evolution being the best theory and evolution being true, you aren't looking at the issue scientifically. In scientific reasoning you accept the best hypothesis; there are no honorifics above that.

 

[TheBear]

I think that evolution is FACT. The mechanism of evolution remains to be seen, with any certainty.


John

 

[goseyn]

Scientists often disagree about theories and advocate the theory that they feel has the most merits. Example: there have been numerous theories involving the Big Bang. Cold Bang, Hot Bang, Hesitation Model, Infinite Hesitation Model, Inflationary, Hot Inflationary, etc. Each theory predicts different attributes for space curvature, matter/energy density, and other attributes. It is only as the data comes in that scientists abandon their 'pet' theory for another one that better fits the data. Plenty of scientists have spurned what was viewed as the 'best hypothesis' by the majority, and accepted their own hypothesis. Often this is spurred by philosophical objections to theories. Example: Hoyle rejected the Big Bang theory for years because of it's theistic implications, and Einstein created a 'fudge factor' to force relativity to comply to the pre-conceived notion of an eternal universe (he later stated that this was the biggest mistake of his career).

So, science is not so cut and dry.

 

[mac_philo]

I didn't mean to imply that it was cut-and-dried. I was speaking on the assumption that it isn't always clear what the best theory is; that was the predicament of Hoyle and Einstein in these instances.

 

[goseyn]

Oh. You're right. There is the additional factor that Hoyle and Einstein were influenced by a priori philosophical assumptions. Not that this invalidates their science, but that considering how pretty much all human beings cannot perfectly divest themselves of bias or preconceptions, we need to take this into account. Data is objective but the scientist reviewing that data cannot be completely objective.

The above does not invalidate or validate ANY theory, but it is something to keep in mind as we look into the creation/evolution debate.

 

[goseyn]

Originally posted by TheBear
I think that evolution is FACT. The mechanism of evolution remains to be seen, with any certainty.

Do you think that the mechanism could involve God?

 

[TheBear]

Originally posted by goseyn


Do you think that the mechanism could involve God?

In every respect, God is directly involved in the creation and design of the universe. He is the main and only one responsible for creation. It is the methods of His design and creation that are being observed and interpreted by scientists.

John

 

[goseyn]

Bear,

What do you think of the 'Behe Model' that God intervened on the molecular genetic level in order to get the 'positive mutations' needed for 'survival of the fit' to select against?

 

[Shane Roach]

Originally posted by TheBear
I think that evolution is FACT. The mechanism of evolution remains to be seen, with any certainty.


John

How a person comes to the conclusion that something is a fact when they know good and well they have no idea exactly how it happened is betond me. This is so very typical too of people who are married to the evolutionary model. Nothing else is possible even though we have NO clue what really happened. What will they do if we find life somewhere else? Try to fit it into the phylogentic tree and pretend that it came from the same ancestor? It is only because we have no kowledge of whether there were many or only one first creature that we have NO idea whther evolution is the origin of our species.

We
don't
know.

And that's the only FACT there is about the distant past.

 

[Shane Roach]

And the thing is, I'm not even one who insists that God created the world in 6 days. I believe that is possible, but anyone who believes that need not care what evidence there is for evolution, as God may have left that evidence to throw off the unfaithful. The bottom line is, whatever happened happened and we weren't there.

 

[ZiSunka]

I subscribe to this theory regarding evolution:

Lord, my heart is not stuck-up, nor do I try to be greater than I am. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things that are too profound for me . Psalm 131:1

Since I don't see what evolution has to do with real life, I just don't care about it. And I have a dregree in biology.

It just doesn't have anything to do with my life.

 

[NoilTsorf]

Science is nothing but the human activity of working with the 'best theories' out there. If you think there's a real difference between evolution being the best theory and evolution being true, you aren't looking at the issue scientifically. In scientific reasoning you accept the best hypothesis; there are no honorifics above that.

I am not sure if this was directed at me, but just for the record: I didn't say evolution was the best theory, just a possible theory. For example the theory of extreme natural changes (the most important evolution is caused by special events like hitting meteors, vulcanic eruptions etc.)
And that of God's creaion are also both very probably.

 

[Athlon4all]

Evolution is attacking the very foundation of the Christian life, and it must be opposed.

 

[Blindfaith]

Since I don't see what evolution has to do with real life, I just don't care about it. And I have a dregree in biology.

Amen!!

Here, here!!

I totally and completely agree with you lambslove. Perfect answer.

Peace in Christ,
Terri

 

[TheBear]

Originally posted by Shane Roach


How a person comes to the conclusion that something is a fact when they know good and well they have no idea exactly how it happened is betond me. This is so very typical too of people who are married to the evolutionary model. Nothing else is possible even though we have NO clue what really happened. What will they do if we find life somewhere else? Try to fit it into the phylogentic tree and pretend that it came from the same ancestor? It is only because we have no kowledge of whether there were many or only one first creature that we have NO idea whther evolution is the origin of our species.

We
don't
know.

And that's the only FACT there is about the distant past.

Explain gravity, Shane. Can you fully define it? Does it exist? There is all kinds of evidence that it exists, but up until it was defined by science, it still existed. The apple did not suspend in mid-air until Newton and other scientists fully studied it and clarified what it is.
Likewise, you are saying that evolution does not exist, because the mechanism has not been fully studied and clarified.

Do a little homework before spouting cheap shots at another poster. Okay?

John