One-third of Americans reject evolution, poll shows

There are many, many theories on many, many topics from mathematics to art, mostly likely but unproven en toto. IMO the theory of evolution falls into that last category. Once we had a theory that the earth was the center of the universe. Scientists of the time thought that theory likely but unproven en toto.

Whereas I believe the theory of evolution is correct, we need to keep adding to the preponderance of evidence until we are absolutely certain. I'd hate to find out this late in life that God's hand moved an alien species to genetically enhance a simian species to make them really smart so they could take over the earth.

Now, before we get into Genesis passages, I believe that God did create the cosmos and all that is in it. In times past mankind had no concept of DNA, molecular theory, etc. so stories (parables if you will) were written in the Old and New Testaments so that the people of earlier times could understand the scientific concepts without getting into the actual science. How God made man is not important. That God made man is. How God made a universe from one Big Bang is not important. That God made the universe is.

I realize I've probably offended a number of posters here with my belief in God and that God is the formulator of all things. You believe what you will, but children should be taught all types of theories and to challenge each and every one of them.

 

Only 33%? I think that's pretty good. No joke. That's probably progress.

 

There is no such thing as a scientific theory that is proven en toto. In fact there is nothing in science that is actually proven en toto. That is why Einstein's theories surpassed Newton's laws. Scientific theories are hypothesis that are proven to a high degree but are always up for challenge and revision. For example Einstein's theories are facing many challenges from things like String Theory.

True if direct evidence was found that human life was actually seeded by an alien species that would be a major challenge to Evolution, at least human evolution on Earth, but at the moment no such evidence has been found conclusively. Evolution is a scientific theory because it has survived many challenges. Further it is an evolving, no pun intended, while things like punctuated change have led to some changes in it it still has not overthrown the basic principle behind it.

I don't see anything offensive or problematic with believing that God formulated all things. As I frequently say the existence of God isn't a scientific question.

 

Yes, but they should challenge the theory for the right reasons. Because it is inconsistent with existing evidence or because there is a lack of evidence, not because it offends one's non-scientific beliefs irrespective of what the evidence points to.

 

You have re-stated precisely what I said. We keep pushing our knowledge because we keep challenging accepted theories. Sometimes we find a theory is right but for the wrong reasons. Then, sometimes, we find the first thought process was right but with many ancillary factors.

I agree that, so far, at the moment evolution is a scientific theory because it has survived many challenges ... but will it survived all of them? Nobody knows for sure.

You seem to want to disagree with me, but on all of these points there is scarcely any difference.

 

Actually, I would believe that we are somehow descended from aliens before believing that a god created us in 6 days, or 6 eons, for that matter. If we landed in a helicopter with Dark Side of the Moon blaring from attached loud speakers (think of that iconic scene from Apocalypse Now - during the time of the Aztecs!) amongst several hundred Native Americans around the time of Columbus, my opinion is that they would consider us gods. The Spanish were seen as gods when they first arrived, and they were "primitive" compared to us. In other words, an aliens species could have caused our existence and we might think them gods if we met. Well, I might not, but a lot of folks would. I might be frightened out of my gourd, but I can't imagine considering them gods, or God. Not that there's anything wrong with that! I have the greatest respect for those of faith who have at least some respect for me. Interesting theory, thumbs.

And no, I don't think you're an alien, thumbs, or descended from same. It's just fun to think about. ;-)-


Oh, and bigtexxx has yet to defend his statement. Durvasa and I are eagerly waiting for his detailed response.

 

That's the entire premise of this show:

 

Is it? I've never seen the program. My father thought it was a distinct possibility, however. Either they were aliens, or Republicans who had somehow traveled back in time.

 

Neither is the Bible. It's a collection of stories describing said God, but it's not the word of God like the Quran is. Perhaps the issues you described could create some controversies with Islam, but I'm not interested in discussing that since I don't know the Quran nearly as well as I know the Bible.

If you mean "faith" isn't necessarily something which is arrived at through reason, perhaps. But it's not like humans are entirely rational creatues - and more importantly - do we actually want people to be entirely rational to begin with?

The thing about "faith" is that my perspective is that faith is just as critical to the secular value systems of which you and I are a part of as it is to the religious value systems, because what you call faith, I call trust. And every system needs a level of communal trust in order to survive, even if it may not necessarily be the most rational ideal. The ideal and the myth from a societal perspective are just as important, and at times even more so, than the truth.

 

I'm addressing something that was brought up earlier regarding the term Theory in science. I think we need to be very careful about how we use these terms. While Evolution isn't proven en toto it has already survived a pretty high standard of proof.

True nobody knows for sure, that is the nature of science. That said speaking speculatively I don't think it is likely that something will overturn Evolution anytime soon. Even the idea that aliens might've seeded life, or tampered with life on Earth, I don't think that overturns the idea of Evolution completely. Just seeding genes or making genetic modifications at some ancient point there would still be alot of other evolutionary factors that would affect how those genes get expressed.

I'm disagreeing with you to extent that many posters would be offended by believing in God.

 

To expand on this in some ways faith is rational. As thining beings who are aware of the passage of time we have questions that go beyond empiricism (Why are we here? What happens after we die? What is the meaning of life?) If we weren't rational we would never have the intellectual curiosity to ask those questions or need the answers provided by faith.

 

Both sides are relatively ignorant on the subject, I think. Both are extremely narrow-minded and have very little knowledge of the other side (but that's the case for almost all hot topics). If someone doesn't believe in Evolution, I wouldn't call them stupid (especially since many refer to non-Creationist theories). And if someone believes in Evolution, I'm not gonna call them stupid either because it's a well-evidenced theory.

That said, from what I've studied, there's really no conflict between science and faith. Most of the conflict arose from a Catholic Church that persecuted new ideas on a completely non-religious basis.

 

Horse****

 

lol, glad to live around and study at UT. You just don't see that kind of ignorance among the professors and students (at least most). Will suck to go back to the real world