I don't believe in evolution

[Xipe Totec]

I acknowledge it as fact.

Belief I reserve for religion.

[Laura902]

1. Well said! n/t

[Kennah]

2. Huzzah!

Well said.

[Drale]

3. Exactly

Evolution is no longer a theory it is fact and anyone who denies facts should not be able to get a job higher than ditch digger.

[laconicsax]

7. Actually it is a theory. Theories explain facts.

Evolution is a theory that explains many facts.

[Xipe Totec]

10. Theories are stronger than facts

But I didn't want to confuse the believers any more than they already are.

:evilgrin:

However, evolution is fact. The theory of evolution explains how and why evolution happens.

[Kennah]

14. General relativity is also a theory ...

... but GPS uses principles of general relativity to correct the satellites' atomic clocks, right now.

[Ratty]

25. Evolution is a fact - Darwinism is a theory

Just sayin'

[Kennah]

31. What Darwinism perhaps is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwinism

Darwinism is a set of movements and concepts related to ideas of transmutation of species or evolution, including ideas with no connection to the work of Charles Darwin.<1><2><3> The meaning of Darwinism has changed over time, and varies depending on who is using the term.<4> In the United States, Darwinism is often used by creationists as a pejorative term but in the United Kingdom the term has no negative connotations, being freely used as a short hand for evolutionary theory.<5>

The term was coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in April 1860,<6> and was used to describe evolutionary concepts, including earlier concepts such as Malthusianism and Spencerism. In the late 19th century it came to mean the concept that natural selection was the sole mechanism of evolution, in contrast to Lamarckism, then around 1900 it was eclipsed by Mendelism until the modern evolutionary synthesis unified Darwin's and Gregor Mendel's ideas. As modern evolutionary theory has developed, the term has been associated at times with specific ideas.<4>

While the term has remained in use amongst scientific authors, it is increasingly regarded as an inappropriate description of modern evolutionary theory.<7><8><9> For example, Darwin was unfamiliar with the work of Gregor Mendel,<10> having as a result only a vague and inaccurate understanding of heredity, and knew nothing of genetic drift.<11>

[laconicsax]

4. Incredulous reply intentionally conflating different definitions of belief. n/t

[Xipe Totec]

5. Sheepish grin nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Well said, my dear Xipe Totec!

A very nuanced and thoughtful post.

Recommended.

[Xipe Totec]

11. Thank you, My dear Peggy!

[Taverner]

8. Right ON!

You can believe that Christianity and Evolution are compatible

But it is a fact that evolution is very real

[Xipe Totec]

16. Indeed

I do believe in an Architect of the Universe.

But I recognize that as a personal belief, not rooted in facts.

It does not mean it is true. It does not mean it is false. It is an unfalsifiable statement and therefore beyond the scope of science.

But evolution is fact. And facts are falsifiable; testable by science.

[Taverner]

17. If he or she is or isn't, chances are they won't have any problem with me not believing in them

So....

[Xipe Totec]

18. Exactly!

Gödel proved, mathematically, there are truths beyond the power of mathematics to prove.

And mathematics is the language of science.

Therefore there are truths beyond the power of science to verify.

However, the things that are within the power of science to verify are, inarguably, facts.

And evolution is just one of them.

I do not believe in an anthropomorphic, jealous god, that would take offense at our disbelief, or a god that is even vaguely aware of our existence.

So I seriously doubt that our disbelief would be punished by said god.

However, that's just my belief.

[Taverner]

19. Then again, I want nothing from religion or any other contrived bull shit

I would rather do Beatles and Heroin than The Church and Communion

[Xipe Totec]

20. And that is your absolute undeniable right!

And that is a fact.

ETA:

PS: When it comes to choices, I agree with yours; Beetles and drug of choice over communion wafers and weak wine. Mind you, I was a acolyte as a child and attended a Catholic institute.

:evilgrin:

[Taverner]

22. Cool

Although Heroin is not my drug of choice actually :)

I was referencing an argument made by 'New Atheist' - that is, if Religion makes you feel better - and that is it's ONLY purpose, then why not just use Morphine or Heroin?

[Nihil]

30. Excellent post.

It's not that often that I agree with every word of someone's reply!

:toast:

[Tikki]

9. Here's what I tell the anti-Evolutionist in conversation..

"That's fine, you don't have to believe in it....but it's happening anyway even without you."


Tikki

[Xipe Totec]

12. We are still evolving

Lactose tolerance,
High altitude adaptation (different genes in different populations!),
skin pigmentation (different genes in different populations!)

But we must be mindful of the fact that evolution does not imply progress; merely change.

How else can we explain Republicanism?

[riverbendviewgal]

13. well said

I shall remember this

[tex-wyo-dem]

15. Exactly...

That's a concept that, sadly, many religious people just can't seem to grasp. I do not "believe" in evolution because that implies a blind faith in something requiring no supporting evidence -- belief in yahweh, god or other supreme being is a perfect example.

Evolution is a scientific theory that was derived from direct observation, continues to withstand decades of testing and accumulation of data and, as a theory, continues to be refined and (excuse the pun) evolve :) as new evidence is discovered.

[Xipe Totec]

21. Well said!

I completely agree!

The problem we have is that, for some reason, fair and balanced has come to mean fair and equal treatment of facts and fiction.

[Festivito]

23. All facts are recalled beliefs.

Just say'n.

[Xipe Totec]

24. Is that a fact, or just your belief? nt

[Festivito]

28. I believe that would be a fact as much as I believe it, and believe it, I do. /nt

[Xipe Totec]

29. Bravo!

:applause:

[AlecBGreen]

26. when a person says "I dont believe in evolution"

it reveals their ignorance about what evolution actually is.

Evolution is the "change in frequency of genes in a population over time." Thats it. It DOES occur just as surely as the sun rises and sets.

Now, most people who say "I dont believe in evolution" really mean "I dont think humans evolved from an ape-like ancestor." To which I say, fine, that is your right. You can choose to reject the evidence that supports that hypothesis (even though to me it seems so overwhleming as to be impossible to deny). But to say you dont believe in evolution means YOU DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS.
Its an observable FACT. Its like saying I dont believe the sky is blue :crazy:

And yea, Xipe, I know what you are saying and I agree :) Just thought Id chime in on this as well in support of your stance. I teach this stuff so it drives me crazy when some people say "I DONT BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION!" like its something to be proud of :banghead:

[Xipe Totec]

27. I did it for the shock value

It worked.

:evilgrin:

[txlibdem]

32. I believe

Eons ago there was a nearly all-knowing being, one who was very powerful but not quite all-powerful, who (slowly over vast stretches of time) evolved into the God that created and to this day guides our Universe. It is this God, our God, that set in motion the rules and natural laws that govern all matter in the Universe. It is He who occasionally has to gently nudge something this way or that so that His plan is adhered to and comes to fruition over the ultimate span of time.

Bender figured all this out on one episode of Futurama: if you do it right, no one will know you've done anything at all.

Which means, on a personal level, you are responsible for your actions. You must do all the work to achieve whatever is God's plan for you. Footsteps in the sand may be there on occasion but you must be prepared to struggle and strive. You, alone, will be judged on that day for your deeds and your misdeeds.

So, be good to one another. It is the only way. Learn of the Universe and its laws. That is the only way to come to know the true nature of God. PS, humanity gets a "D-" on this score so far -- there is much work to do, children of the light.