Free Republic Poll on Evolution

Free Republic ^ | 22 September 2006 | Vanity

[PatrickHenry]

Free Republic is currently running a poll on this subject:

Do you think creationism or intelligent design should be taught in science classes in secondary public schools as a competing scientific theory to evolution?

You can find the poll at the bottom of your "self search" page, also titled "My Comments," where you go to look for posts you've received.

I don't know what effect -- if any -- the poll will have on the future of this website's science threads. But it's certainly worth while to know the general attitude of the people who frequent this website.

Science isn't a democracy, and the value of scientific theories isn't something that's voted upon. The outcome of this poll won't have any scientific importance. But the poll is important because this is a political website. How we decide to educate our children is a very important issue. It's also important whether the political parties decide to take a position on this. (I don't think they should, but it may be happening anyway.)

If you have an opinion on this subject, go ahead and vote.

[freedumb2003]

I'm sure that even you know that surgery has nothing to do with evolution philosophy.

So you nail your qualifications someone who knows nothing of any life sciences or one who is on the fringes.

" There are already DNA markers that point us clearly at a common origin to many animals."

That is an opinion advanced only by those whose minds are so warped that they can't see the use of modular design by our creator.

I didn't know God programmed in PL/1.

Why would he not use the same method to do the same job in most of his creatures?

You have the effrontery to challenge why God decided how he built the Universe? Why do mosquitoes bite? Why are there black hole singularities? Your arrogance is overwhelming.

Your statement is utterly anti-god at it's foundation.

Yeah -- me and all the rest of the scientific community.

And I respect God enough to use His name properly.

[muawiyah]

Oh, yeah, Luther rarely gave any sermons in the 1930s, so you'll have to be satisfied with Hitler as the primary source of anti-semitic literature during that period.

We must also note that Hitler didn't think highly of Lutherans anyway, and he, himself, was not a Lutheran.

[Virginia-American]

spunkets only votes once. It's a matter of honor.

I'm sure that there are some anti-evolution activists that understand what you mean. Somewhee, there's gotta be.

[editor-surveyor]

The very purpose of DNA is to prevent un-planned change. All the change that can ever happen is precoded in the DNA of every creature on earth. Cells that divide in error self destruct due to check-sum-like functions within the DNA.

This is proven by the total absence of the infinite variety that would exist if it were not so.

[muawiyah]

ROTFLMAO ~ you are definitely on to something here.

[freedumb2003]

... Christians figure they should have the decency to act like they regret being sinners once in a while...

That would be nice.

And rare.

[betty boop]

You are aware that the Islamic radicals are creationists. Even the Kansas Conservatives hired a member of Harun Yahya as an expert during their attempt to suppress science in Kansas.

So what does that have to do with a theory of creation that says a good, just Beginning formed in love translated into this universe from completely outside of it?

Jeepers, Doc, I really wish you would get "serious" about current events.... You remind me of my FIL -- ouch much pain there!!!!!!!

[caffe]

Definitely creationism and intelligent design should be taught as other "theories" besides naturalism

[tomzz]

[Coyoteman]

There is no universal law that says your car must start up when you turn the ignition key. And when it comes to cars not starting up in the morning, may your "regularity and predictability" be damned!!!

IOW: There is no certainty in this world, all your theories and expectations notwithstanding!

If your car does not start in the morning, who you gonna' call: a mechanic, a witch doctor, or a philosopher?

The answer to this question will provide a large hint to which "theory" you should follow when the rubber hits the road (or fails to hit the road in this case).

[Doctor Stochastic]

I just read a nice biography of Steensen. He not only showed that tongue stones were actually shark teeth, he proposed the Law of Superposition for geologic layers. He also suggested that the Earth was millions of years old, perhaps billions. He was one of the first to use scientific principles in making such estimates.

Amazon review (sounds like an Busby Berkeley musical.)

[Carry_Okie]

I think Darwinian evolution has its problems, but creationism as a hypothesis doesn't have much use either. I wish that the poll had offered a few more options.

Personally, I wish evolution was downgraded to the status of hypothesis and that science admitted how little we really know. To admit ignorance is actually liberating. It gives the young mind the impression that there is still opportunity for them to have a career working toward exciting and important discoveries. As an educational policy, it is far preferable to standing upon authority.

[betty boop]

I'll have to stick with my original statement, because there's still no reason to doubt it.

Okay -- not a problem, spunkets! And good luck to you, navigating that direction.

Good night! (And sleep tight -- may God's angels bless and keep you 'til the morrow....)

[b_sharp]

"For me this started when I requested evidence that things/animals/whatever evolved into something else entirely and was put down for not accepting the evidence they tried to use as evidence. Since then I've asked them to answer a simple question of where are the transitional fossils between those they say became something else, and they have not answered the question. They just called me bigoted and uneducated. Then they wanted me to provide my evidence for some claim I never made."

Archaeopteryx is a transitional along the sequence of dinosaur to bird.

Sinonyx, Pakicetus, Ambulocetus, Rodhocetus, Basilosaurus, Dorudon are transitionals along the sequence of Artiodactyl to Cetacean. This sequence is also backed up by molecular and morphological evidence.

OK. Your turn. Why are these not evidence of the evolution of one species into another species? Hand waving and just claiming they aren't is not an argument. I can provide links to detailed reasons they are considered transitional. I expect you to provide no less.

[muawiyah]

I've been on such a plane ~ twice. Once was in landing at LaGuardia in a 70+ MPH wind, and the other was landing at Redding CA.

[freedumb2003]

Definitely creationism and intelligent design should be taught as other "theories" besides naturalism

Do you know what a "theory" is? (hint: It isn't a Hypothesis all grown up).

[freedumb2003]

OK -- as a 2 million mile flyer I have to admit my angels were there for me many a time!

[betty boop]

I'd be most grateful to you, andysandmikesmom, if you turn up anything further on Steensen and let me know....

Thank you!

[JCEccles]

And Darwinism is a religion.

[eleni121]

the World is Flat and that we are at the center of the Universe?

---

Flatness is relative and how in the heck can you prove that the earth is not at the center of the U?