15 replies to this topic

[peterbj7]

Following some reading and discussions with people down here in Belize, I wonder whether people think there's truth in evolution, or whether they have an alternative view on how we came to be. I suppose a related question is how long you think the Earth has been in existence. I'm just trying to collect (anonymous) views, so PMs would be fine.

[WreckWench]

Peter that is a very delicate subject and one that could easily violate our TOS quickly. I hope that people would ONLY pm you their thoughts.

[ThatJoeGuy]

Gee WW, you never let us have any flame wars. No fun at all.

[peterbj7]

I hear what you say, Kamala, and will of course comply. I really don't see why it should be a delicate subject though.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Peter, it's only delicate because there is an age-old difference of opinion (at least here in the USA) on the subject of evolution; there is the scientific opinion and the religious opinion. I don't know why, but the two sides will never see eye to eye nor 'agree to disagree'.

[WreckWench]

Peter, it's only delicate because there is an age-old difference of opinion (at least here in the USA) on the subject of evolution; there is the scientific opinion and the religious opinion. I don't know why, but the two sides will never see eye to eye nor 'agree to disagree'.

Thank you Tammy! That exactly explains why its a delicate subject!

[WreckWench]

Gee WW, you never let us have any flame wars. No fun at all.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I know...I never let you all do the good stuff!

[Hipshot]

I teach an introductory human biology course in college, and one of the topics is evolution. I approach this issue by teaching both Darwinian Evolution and Intelligent Design theories. I teach them both as theories. I point out that they're not mutually exclusive. I tell them that they can believe in either, both, or neither, but my function as the lecturer is to see that their decision is an informed one.

Rick




"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.-Phillips Brooks

[ScubaHawk]

On the topic of delicate subjects, I wish posters would stop referring to or implying that the earth is round. We all know the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe. It offends my religious beliefs if you state otherwise. Thanks you in advance.

[WreckWench]

On the topic of delicate subjects, I wish posters would stop referring to or implying that the earth is round. We all know the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe. It offends my religious beliefs if you state otherwise. Thanks you in advance.

Hawk you just ain't right!!

[georoc01]

On the topic of delicate subjects, I wish posters would stop referring to or implying that the earth is round. We all know the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe. It offends my religious beliefs if you state otherwise. Thanks you in advance.

Hawk you just ain't right!!

We laugh at such things, but that was the scientific theories at the time just as Evolution is the scientific theory of this time. As we as a society we learn more, these theories change.

Heck, when I was a kid I was taught that Pluto was a planet, now its just a rock.

[ThatJoeGuy]

I don't care what astronomers say. You can't just reclassify a planet to a unusual large rock in space. If you do that, then the geologists might get up at arms and decide to redefine the continents based on tectonic plates. That is the first sign of the rising of the elder gods, and must be avoided at all costs.

[peterbj7]

that was the scientific theories [sic] at the time just as Evolution is the scientific theory of this time

Unfortunately the words "theory" and "belief" both have not just ambiguous but wildly conflicting meanings. "Evolution" was a theory when it was introduced, but it has since been substantiated by a vast body of observed evidence, and more importantly no evidence has been found that contradicts it. Like many mathematical theorems it cannot be "proven" as such, but the weight of evidence supporting it is now massive. It is no longer a "theory" in the sense you mean, even though it still bears that moniker. It qualifies for the description "scientifically proven fact" as much as (say) the 'theory" of sound transmission through air or the "belief" that the earth is near spherical rather than flat. That is why I was careful not to use the word "believe" in the context of evolution in my original question - I may "believe" in something for which I have seen no evidence, that being purely an act of faith, but my "belief" that the ground is hard is well supported by the observed facts that it supports buildings and hurts when I fall down (damn that Belikin!).

Edited by peterbj7, 27 October 2011 - 12:39 PM.

[uwfan]

that was the scientific theories [sic] at the time just as Evolution is the scientific theory of this time

Unfortunately the words "theory" and "belief" both have not just ambiguous but wildly conflicting meanings. "Evolution" was a theory when it was introduced, but it has since been substantiated by a vast body of observed evidence, and more importantly no evidence has been found that contradicts it. Like many mathematical theorems it cannot be "proven" as such, but the weight of evidence supporting it is now massive. It is no longer a "theory" in the sense you mean, even though it still bears that moniker. It qualifies for the description "scientifically proven fact" as much as (say) the 'theory" of sound transmission through air or the "belief" that the earth is near spherical rather than flat. That is why I was careful not to use the word "believe" in the context of evolution in my original question - I may "believe" in something for which I have seen no evidence, that being purely an act of faith, but my "belief" that the ground is hard is well supported by the observed facts that it supports buildings and hurts when I fall down (damn that Belikin!).

Peter, while we can debate this on end, you are treading on areas that will offend some people here by some of your statements above. Please return this discussion to PMs.