[CarolinaGuitarman]

" Then what directed it? Intelligence?"

Intelligence is not the opposite of randomness. Natural selection is not random. Nor does it need to be directed by an outside intelligence.

"Basic to the theory is the lack of an intelligence behind the life we see here, now. Hence the Great Debate among evolutionists, creationists and intelligent designers. Where the proto-organism came from would be central to the issue, don't you think?"

Not for the issue of the theory of evolution. You are talking about abiogenesis.

[William Terrell]

Have you read any of the evolution threads on FR?

I guess you would be willing to stipulate an intelligent designer, then.