[JmyBryan]

Look up Thomas Gold for an alternative theory of petroleum origins. I think his book's name is The Deep Hot Biosphere.

[Cincinatus]

Look up Thomas Gold for an alternative theory of petroleum origins.

Yes, and while you're at it, be sure to check out bleeding as a way to fight disease, willow-witching as a technique to find water, and astrology as a way to predict the future. Oh, and if you go sailing, be sure not to fall off the edge of the Earth!