Comments on: Of Evolution and Idiots

By: synesius

synesius — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:50:39 +0000

There is overwhelming evidence that evolution happens, but there is no reason to believe it’s the ONLY thing that happens. I’ve never come across a good explanation for why we are all not cyanobacteria even today. One-celled critters do just fine; why get complicated? There is a profound mystery at the core of existence that science ignores and religion addresses, albeit poorly. The hallmarks of a good scientist are humility and openness, qualities sorely lacking in most scientists today, who seem to be running standard, off-the-shelf Leftist/reductionist software. This is how belief in anthropogenic greenhouse warming becomes a “consensus’ in spite of proof that the evidence is tainted.

By: bobshanbrom

bobshanbrom — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:41:36 +0000

Amended version:
The idea that God might be a passive, dispassionate force, or even that It might have such sort of blunt arrows in His mighty quiver, freaks out the control freaks on the Right. As Neils Bohr might tell them, “Stop telling God what She can do!”

By: bobshanbrom

bobshanbrom — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:29:58 +0000

The idea that God might be a passive, dispassionate force, or even that he might have such sort of arrows in His mighty quiver, freaks out the control freaks on the Right. As Neils Bohr might tell them, “Stop telling God what She can do!”

By: moullineaux

moullineaux — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:19:11 +0000

If the creationists honestly think that the world was created in six days and that we all literally came from two human beings, then I have a couple questions they need to answer.
1: If we all come from two humans, that means we have been mating with our direct relatives for thousands of years, is that morally ok with them?
2: If “God” created everything only a few thousand years ago, how do creationists explain the age of the earth?
3: If creationism is the answer to how everything came to be, how come some species have become extinct and others have not? Did “God” not like the species he made extinct?
Finally: How can creationists believe in a system that flies in the face of every thing scientific? I know there are certain religions that do not belive in taking medicine and if they are right[ and they can be as right as any other religion] then we probably would not need to have this discussion because we would all be dead from some bacteria or illness. I think creationists like to have their cake and eat it too. You cannot pick and choose what is comfortable for you and then turn around and deny the very thing[science]in which you are so vehemently taking an active part.
Belief in something is just that, belief. It does not have to make any sense or have any rationale, it is a belief. Science, on the other hand is a system of trial and error. A hypothesis is put forth, experiments are done to test the hypothesis, and the results are documented. It is based on observable truths or untruths. The ancient Greeks believed Athena sprang from the head of another God. It was as valid to them as creationism is to creationists. See the problem. M.

By: Jon Pyle

Jon Pyle — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:09:27 +0000

Let me preface this by saying I’m not a scientist or a philosopher. Just a regular guy with opinions about both.

I know I’m in the minority here but God and evolution (as a process) aren’t mutually exclusive. The obvious tension is in the answer to “where did everything come from?” Either way, I think there’s a leap of faith taken by both parties. But, beyond that it seems obvious to me (as someone that firmly believes in God) that evolution is an accurate explanation for how the world as we know it has developed. I think it’s foolish to deny it doesn’t exist in some form.

By: thesmoots

thesmoots — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:45:27 +0000

I’ve studied all the major religions, read most of the major philosophical theories and over viewed scientific progress for more than 40 years. I was warned repeatedly in sunday school about asking to many questions. Living most of my life in the bible belt I’ve crossed swords dozens of times with the close minded religious attitudes prevalent in this area. With all this in mind – I’ve come to the conclusion that religion is comfortable. Once you’re ’saved’ you give up on questioning the universe for it’s reasons (mostly). Also you take the advances in science for granted and lose respect for the tremendous dedication it takes to advance our knowledge of the universe. We’re at a point in the development of the human race that we can’t afford it any more, the USA and the planet itself along with the lack of value given to human rights are heading for a crescendo. Somehow we have to increase interest in studying the universe or the universe is going to make us pay for it.

By: doriangray

doriangray — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:39:43 +0000

I needn’t be a mathematician to state unequivocally that 2 + 2 = 4. Skepticism is one thing, but don’t be daft.

By: CthuluRisin

CthuluRisin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:14:29 +0000

I have to admit, when I see a bunch of non-scientists lamenting the fact that not every scientist believes completely in the theory of evolution or the global warming propaganda machine, it makes me wonder, what do you know exactly? Just because you believe every “fact” that is claimed by the scientific community, does not mean that everyone has to. Science would not be where it is today if it werent for other scientists wondering if the common accepted knowledge and theories were crap. My point being, if your not collecting and observing data yourself, and you dont really know that much about the process, be careful what you profess, and who you call ignorant. Quote from the past “what a moron! That guy thinks the earth ISN’T carried on the back of a giant turtle!”

By: garrick

garrick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:02:44 +0000

It should be taught early in k12 education the definition of science and the history of science came about so that people know what science is. Prior to higher education, the last required science class I took was as a high school freshman. That as well as previous science courses were all about process and procedure and rote facts. I remember science as it was taught in junior high and high school as being very dry and painfully meaningless. No wonder only a tiny fraction went on to take physics and chemistry. Religion has it easy when taking over where education has failed.

By: David DiSalvo

David DiSalvo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:17:50 +0000

I have a one-word theory to explain why such a low percentage of people say they believe evolution is true: Fear. The main rhetorical weapon used by organized religions against evolution is that believing it to be true is the immediate precursor to meaninglessness. If evolution implies a life ultimately without meaning, then it’s to be shunned, evidence be damned.

And since evolution is the principal belief option relative to creationism, creationists have been able to paint it as the “Lie” used by Satan to lure the sinful away from the church. Ken Ham, the long-time creationist mouthpiece, titled his most well known book, “The Lie” for that reason.

So I think there’s a potent fear-based strategy underlying that 32%, and given what a powerful motivator fear is, I doubt we’ll see that percentage increase very much anytime soon.

-D