Evolution vs creationism

[Aurel]

I watched `by accident` a preacher on TV this morning, and I was flabergasted at how he was attempting to debunk the theory of evolution, and that man did not evolve from monkeys...To me this has always been common knowledge, and 14C datation can demonstrate without a doubt the age of human looking bones. But the preacher was ignoring the facts, and attemting to demonstrate that evolution did not exists, because it goes against the Bible teachings. So how do you reconcile the Bible teachings and the findings of science without rejecting or ignoring science?

Aurel

[Jims5543]

Why did we stop evolving then? Or are we still evolving? Maybe the onset of cancer and aids is our way or eradicating a mistake?

[IROC]

Where is that "Awwww...geez...not this $hit again" picture...

The theory of evolution is a valid theory that explains the *fact* of evolution that has resulted in the observed diversity of life on Earth. Creationism is not a theory and really does not hold up to any kind of scrutiny. It's worthless.

And Jim, yes...we are still evolving.

Mike

[billyboy]

And Jim, yes...we are still evolving.

Uh actually, that would be DE-evolving.

*fact* of evolution

yea, kinda like the fact that the earth is flat.

[Instrument 41]

How does one watch something by "accident"?

[island_dude]

Here we go again. Let me tell you how this thread will go. A few people with scientific backgrounds will post how the theory is sound and how it in no way contradicts mainstream religions. A few people will chime in to agree. Then the folks on the religious right (you know who you are) will tell us its all crap and that a literal bible version is the only truth, so all of our data, observation etc. are meaningless. They will play word games saying that evolution is only a theory (twisting the common definition of the world theory to make it seem much less than they way it is understood in the scientific community) and isn't really widely accepted. We will be told that only traitors and liberal scum promote this flawed, godless view of the world.
A few religious folks will come back and say how there is no problem with evolution and their religious values, and that religion is in the real of phylosophy not scientific observation.

Then the whole thing will end up devolving into a name calling exercise.

For the record evolution has stood the test of time and keeps getting reinforced, not weakened by the relentless and mostly stupid attacks by the creationists. Intelligent design is not a pathetic attempt to dress up creationism in its many forms so that it looks scientific.

I will not sit on the sidelines and watch the fireworks.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Why did we stop evolving then?

We haven't. The process is SLOW. If you could look at your relatives 10,000 generations into the future you would likely be surprised.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Aurel
I... the preacher was ignoring the facts...

I'm stunned.

[Aurel]

Originally posted by Instrument 41
How does one watch something by "accident"?

You are flipping through the channels, and you stumble on that. First, you are shocked, which triggers your curiosity and you keep watching. Pretty much like watching porn, or a car accident: you know you should not be doing this, but you keep doing it for a little while

Aurel

[M.D. Holloway]

ya, theres a big difference!

[Aurel]

Is she trying to check Darwin`s law on herself with that glove?

Aurel

[Instrument 41]

Not to hijack this thread, but I reeaaallly hate when someone takes the words or actions from one person and generalizes everyone else that is somehow related in belief to that person.
Lets say you have an E.E.(Thats Electrical Engineer for your Liberal Arts grads) that graduated from Duke. The EE designs a system and due to his ignorance or carelessness an end user is electrocuted and dies. So then do we say that all EE.s from Duke are incompetent?
In the same light are preachers. In my opinion there are VERY few TV preachers that are "beyond reproach", but yet they seem to be the yard stick for those that are "un churched" that measure all those that are "churched". Lets be fare...

[Aurel]

That would spell let`s be FAIR, but nevermind...

Aurel

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by Instrument 41

In the same light are preachers.

There are good cops, and bad cops.
Good plumbers, and bad plumbers.
Good lawyers, and bad lawyers.
Good mechanics, and bad mechanics......

Most of the preachers that show up on TV are the power hungry, in it for the money types.

A pastor friend of mine actually had the religious channel blocked from his TV at home when his kids were young so they wouldn't get messed up with all the whacky stuff found there.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Dantilla
A pastor friend of mine actually had the religious channel blocked from his TV at home when his kids were young so they wouldn't get messed up with all the whacky stuff found there.

No, it was done to cock-block the competition.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by Moses
We haven't. The process is SLOW. If you could look at your relatives 10,000 generations into the future you would likely be surprised.

So the onset of cancer and aids are possibly a evolutiobary process. The fact that typical men lived 100's of years 4000 years ago and now are lucky to reach 100 today is proof we are de-evolving?

[Aurel]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
So the onset of cancer and aids are possibly a evolutiobary process. The fact that typical men lived 100's of years 4000 years ago and now are lucky to reach 100 today is proof we are de-evolving?

Not quite. I never heard that typical men lived 100`s of years 4000 years ago. Where did you get that information? I heard of tibetan monks who have been reported to live several hundred years, but it has always been the exception, not the norm. Regarding aids an cancer, its occurence has more to do with environmental factors and life habits, and despite their occurence, life expectancy has been increasing, not decreasing. However, if the exposure to human made chemicals or radiations results in transmissible genetic changes, there could be evolution caused by man on himself...

So not only your suggestion that we are de-evolving is wrong, but it is also based on the premise that evolution means increase of life expectancy, which is not what it is. Evolution means change that is transmitted to the next generations, like evolving from a fish to a monkey and to you (or me). The fact that a human happens to live longer than a fish is just a byproduct of evolution. There is no such thing as de-evolution. Even if we became dumber, smaller and lived shorter lives, it would still be part of evolution. And actually, we became taller in the past 60 years, mostly due to better nutrition after WWII. And now, kids are born taller, which seems to be an example of recent evolution.

Aurel

[Moses]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
So the onset of cancer and aids are possibly a evolutiobary process. The fact that typical men lived 100's of years 4000 years ago and now are lucky to reach 100 today is proof we are de-evolving?

Natural Selection does not care what happens to us after we have reproduced. If there were a disease that killed millions of women after menopause (breast cancer?) there would no way for natural selection to work to eliminate it.

Ancient longevity is anecdotal. In 1770, the average life expectancy was 36 years. It didn't reach age 50 until around 1900. By most estimations, we are living longer and healthier than ever, but this has very little to do with evolution or natural selection. Once you are through replicating your DNA, nature has no use for you!

[sammyg2]

its all crap and that a literal bible version is the only truth, so all of our data, observation etc. are meaningless.

[bigchillcar]

jim..i've never read or heard it said that men ever lived hundreds of years. seems our life span has been lengthening over time, not shortening. is yours a biblical reference or something scientific? curious..
ryan