The Theory of Evolution

[antagon]

Among those who negate the validity of Darwin and the science communities' theories on the evolution of man and our fellow critters, where is the point of contention? Is it heredity that seems unrealistic? Is it the natural selection (survival of the fittest) mechanism that seems like hogwash? Maybe the time over which it is claimed to take effect? I'm new to this board, but like the responsiveness of this community, and would appreciate some help understanding where the theory has gone wrong.

 

[Oddball]

Maybe that it's still a theory taught as absolute fact.

Not too much unlike the theory of man casued globalclimatecoolerwarmering.

 

[jillian]

maybe imbeciles don't understand the difference between scientific theory...which is tested in accordance with the scientific method...

and theory meaning thought up in someone's brain.... with no basis....

 

[xsited1]

Among those who negate the validity of Darwin and the science communities' theories on the evolution of man and our fellow critters, where is the point of contention? Is it heredity that seems unrealistic? Is it the natural selection (survival of the fittest) mechanism that seems like hogwash? Maybe the time over which it is claimed to take effect? I'm new to this board, but like the responsiveness of this community, and would appreciate some help understanding where the theory has gone wrong.

Take a look at Darwin at age 51:

See anything wrong with him???? He's BALD!

I'm not going to trust a bald man and neither should you!

 

[Sunni Man]

Evolution is a pseudo scientific theory that masquerades as fact.

 

[geauxtohell]

Maybe that it's still a theory taught as absolute fact.

Not too much unlike the theory of man casued globalclimatecoolerwarmering.

It's taught for what it is, the best scientific explanation for the origin of species.

Other than that, the "theory" talking point is a silly bit of semantics that has been addressed over and over and over.

 

[Toronado3800]

I support evolutionary theory, although I'll argue the finer points to make conversation.

My neighbor believes the Bible almost literally. A 4 billion year old earth gives him problems that my more liberal interpretation doesn't have.

Another woman I know thinks humans are significantly more advanced from our nearest ape like relatives. Not wanting to be packaged in with monkeys she believes God must have made us.

Then there are the intelligent design folks who look at large lifeforms as being too complex to have evolved naturally. My contention with this is 4 billion years is a long time! For what its worth I can usually make peace with these folks by saying "well maybe God set the universe in motion and has tweaked things along a couple times."

Thanks for the new topic.

 

[Oddball]

Maybe that it's still a theory taught as absolute fact.

Not too much unlike the theory of man casued globalclimatecoolerwarmering.

It's taught for what it is, the best scientific explanation for the origin of species.

Other than that, the "theory" talking point is a silly bit of semantics that has been addressed over and over and over.

Just because it's the best theory you can dream up doesn't make it scientificanlly proven fact. I say this with the qualification of within the context of sentient-man-from-a-blob-of-protoplasm aspect of evolution.

Like the kids on South Park famously asked: "What if evolution is 'how', rather than 'why'?"

 

[geauxtohell]

Maybe that it's still a theory taught as absolute fact.

Not too much unlike the theory of man casued globalclimatecoolerwarmering.

It's taught for what it is, the best scientific explanation for the origin of species.

Other than that, the "theory" talking point is a silly bit of semantics that has been addressed over and over and over.

Just because it's the best theory you can dream up doesn't make it scientificanlly proven fact. I say this with the qualification of within the context of sentient-man-from-a-blob-of-protoplasm aspect of evolution.

Like the kids on South Park famously asked: "What if evolution is 'how', rather than 'why'?"

The theory wasn't just "dreamed up". It was proposed by Darwin in 1859. Now, 150 years later, it remains on of the most supported concepts in science.

Evolution has also never been concerned with the "why". It has always been about the how. Theologists and moralists concern themselves with the "why".

Which explains the goofy attempts by the creationists to interject God into the theory via intelligent design.

 

[Oddball]

'Cept I'm not a creationist, either...In fact, I'm agnostic.

I take my skepticism seriously.

 

[jillian]

The theory wasn't just "dreamed up". It was proposed by Darwin in 1859. Now, 150 years later, it remains on of the most supported concepts in science.

Evolution has also never been concerned with the "why". It has always been about the how. Theologists and moralists concern themselves with the "why".

Which explains the goofy attempts by the creationists to interject God into the theory via intelligent design.

that's why i lack patience for their arguments. they are ignorant...ignore all scientific methodology and try to equate theology with biology.

 

[Sunni Man]

Which explains the goofy attempts by the creationists to interject God into the theory via intelligent design.

It takes far, far more "faith" to believe in the theory of evolution.

Than it takes to believe in Intelligent Design

 

[rdean]

There was a fantastic special on the Evolution trial in Dover that was presented on PBS. Go to the page listed below and click on "Watch Intelligent Design on Trial " right under the picture of court house statue".

The right assumed they had the perfect setup to push their mystical agenda including a sympathetic Republican judge appointed by George Bush. They forgot that their is still a small number of Republicans who have honor and are willing to listen to the facts.

Pay special attention to the part where Behe (yes, that Behe) admits that using the same qualifications that would make astrology and alchemy a science, then, "mystical design" would also be considered a 'science".

They cover "irreducible complexity" and "transitional fossils" as well as all the other Republican canards.

I love the fact that the judge, at the end of the trial, was amazed that this knowledge isn't taught in primary and secondary schools. It was pointed out that schools simply don't have the money to fight the religious right wing and so schools only teach the non controversial. Of course, evolution is only controversial to those whose magical beliefs are threatened. Better to keep kids stupid and submersed in "mysticism".

This special really is way worth seeing. Just for the "science" alone. Of course, watching a Republican judge call out conservatives for "lying" is also a hoot. Facts always seem to have a liberal bias.

NOVA | Intelligent Design on Trial

 

[Toronado3800]

It takes far, far more "faith" to believe in the theory of evolution.

Than it takes to believe in Intelligent Design

I can breed dogs and plants into any shape I desire and watch a version of evolution in my own lifetime.

To sound like more of an non-believer than I am, what do I have to go with to help me believe in Intelligent Design?

 

[Sunni Man]

Breed those dogs into any breed you want.

But they will always be a dog.

You will never breed them into an elephant or a zebra

 

[Toronado3800]

yes I will be able to breed them into a species that can not procreate with other dogs anymore. Look up the Carrion Crow for a more natural example of one species dividing into two.

 

[MajikMyst]

Maybe that it's still a theory taught as absolute fact.

Not too much unlike the theory of man casued globalclimatecoolerwarmering.

Gravity is a theory.. Are you going to deny that too??

Theory is fact.. But we may not understand how it happens.. Evolution is fact!! There is no denying it.. What we don't know is the exact evolutionary path every species took to get where they are.. Hence the theory part.. Gravity is fact!! But how it exactly works is still under debate, hence the theory part..

Just because something is called a theory doesn't mean it isn't fact or real.. It means we may not know all the details about something.. But we know it to be true..

Why is it you neotards don't know the definition of such a simple word..

Global warming is fact!! But we don't know positively what % man is responsible.. We know we are responsible and that global warming is fact!!

You people are simply in a state of denial and spinning the definition of a word to suit your needs..

Theory in most cases is fact, though the details are yet to become known for sure..

Intelligent design is a farce and there is nothing to back it up with..

 

[geauxtohell]

'Cept I'm not a creationist, either...In fact, I'm agnostic.

I take my skepticism seriously.

I never accused you of being one. Just noting that the implications of evolution have always made Christians uncomfortable.

That is why they are concerned with the "why".

Evolutionary theory is not concerned at all with the "why", it doesn't try to explain why it happened, just how it happened.

 

[geauxtohell]

The theory wasn't just "dreamed up". It was proposed by Darwin in 1859. Now, 150 years later, it remains on of the most supported concepts in science.

Evolution has also never been concerned with the "why". It has always been about the how. Theologists and moralists concern themselves with the "why".

Which explains the goofy attempts by the creationists to interject God into the theory via intelligent design.

that's why i lack patience for their arguments. they are ignorant...ignore all scientific methodology and try to equate theology with biology.

I don't mind the arguement, as long as it's genuine.

However, you rarely find that with people who want to argue against evolution. Usually there is an ulterior motive.

It says a lot to me that people constantly have to crook the facts and data to try and take down evolutionary theories.

 

[Sunni Man]

Evolution is like saying:

If a tornado hit a large junkyard and stayed there spinning for a billion years.

When the wind finally died down.

There could easily be a complete 747 jet airplane that had "evolved" from the scrap metal swirling in the air.