angryoldfatman quoting Gould:
"...nature's benevolence, order, and good design, with humans at a sensible summit of power and excellence, proves the existence of an omnipotent and benevolent creator. . .
To these beliefs Darwinian natural selection presents the most contrary position imaginable. -- Stephen Jay Gould" But it's indisputable that humans are the Earth's apex predators & life form generally.
As to whether such natural order "proves" the existence of anything, or Anyone, supernatural, that's a matter of choice which Gould obviously answered negatively.
Many others see things differently.
So Gould here constructs yet another straw man, which our FRiend "angryoldfatman" gleefully, but unsuccessfully, tries to breath a breath of life into.
Didn't work the first time you used it, won't work the next time.
Is that all you got?
I repeat my advice: get professional help for your obvious emotional instabilities.
You repeat to get advice, I repeat what I told you to do with your advice. Like I need advice from a half-assed Christian, who exemplifies all of the hypocrisy atheists like myself point out and ridicule.
Please continue. Do not repent, turn the other cheek, forgive, or love. Live like I do then die in your sins while I laugh and point, hypocrite.
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But it’s indisputable that humans are the Earth’s apex predators & life form generally.
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So? That proves evolution works and has nothing to do with the existence of a deity. Or fairy, or whatever name you want to call it.
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As to whether such natural order “proves” the existence of anything, or Anyone, supernatural, that’s a matter of choice which Gould obviously answered negatively.
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Here’s the rub. Follow along, short bus rider:
Gould plainly says he finds natural selection (more commonly known as evolution) to be contrary to belief in an “omnipotent and benevolent creator”.
ON THE OTHER HAND, Gould was the man WHO INVENTED THE VERY EXCUSE YOU USE TO COUNTER HIM!
NOMA.
Non-overlapping magisteria.
Why would Gould say on one hand that evolution contradicts belief in the Christian God (supposed omnipotent and benevolent creator), while on the other say evolution has nothing to do with belief in the Christian God?
Here’s the simplest answer (Occam’s Razor) - Gould didn’t believe in NOMA, but came up with the idea to deceive gullible Christians (or half-assed Christians like yourself) into discarding just enough god duties to allow evolution room. Like a cuckoo’s egg.
I’ll make the quote today about that very thing - the purpose of NOMA:
You cannot bludgeon kids with truth (or insult their religion, i.e., their parents and friends) and hope they will smile and believe you. Yes, NOMA is wrong, but is a good first tool for gaining trust. You have to bring them over to your side, gain their trust, and then hold their hands and help them step by step. And on that slow journey, which will be painful for many of them, it is OK to use some inaccuracies temporarily if they help you reach the students. - Bora Zivkovic (aka Coturnix of Science Blogs)