Ohio's Critical Analysis of Evolution

Critical Evaluation of Evolution ^ | March 2004 | Ohio State Board of Education

[Elsie]

Evolution is not about improvement.

Sure it is!!!

I've beentold MANY times in these threads that any changes that IMPROVE the organisms survival rate will be carried forward.

[Elsie]

Change toward greater complexity happens but it is not a trend.

Oh!?

Can you point to some Evolutionary evidence of lessening complexity?

[Junior]

My dogs have personality, but they are neither intelligent (in fact, they're quite dumb) or designed (they're mutts).

How would one interact, or even know of the existence of a non-physical personality? If it resides on a computer drive or in the pages of a book, it has a physical embodiment. If I discern it only in my mind it has a physical embodiment (my brain and its electro-chemical reactions). So, your proposal is untestable on its face.

[js1138]

"more evolved" is not a scientific term. And yes, it is rare for polyploidy to confer benefits in animals, but then polyploidy is not the only mechanism for increasing complexity. If you are curious rather than just trolling to score points, you will read some of the stuff that's been provided. It's really boring to discuss something with someone who just wants to score points.

[js1138]

Improvement is only relative to a static environment. Environments are not static. There is no absolute standard by which to judge improvement.

[Elsie]

You should have been there to correct the early opponents of anesthesia on their Biblical interpretation. It's too late now.

That's ok, there was a group of guys who said that their law REQUIRED a woman to be stoned for the sin of adultry, but some fellow, who got himself killed because he claimed to be the Son of God, talked them out if it.

[jennyp]

The "new girl" has yet to prove herself as you have many times over.

Hmmm... suddenly I'm starting to feel old!

[Fester Chugabrew]

My dogs have personality, but they are neither intelligent (in fact, they're quite dumb) or designed (they're mutts).

Your dog's may beg to differ. Are you saying they have no intelligence or design about them whatsoever? Are they made of stone? Please tell me what attributes one should look for in describing . . .

Personality
Intelligence
Design

I hope you agree with me that these things exist. How do we know when and where they exist? Is it only when they are inscribed on paper or on a computer drive?

Also, please tell me once again, so I understand you, what proposal I am making that is "untestable on its face."

Thank you.

[PatrickHenry]

It's really boring to discuss something with someone who just wants to score points.

Ah, but you attempted to play my game by my rules, when you offered: "God did it. Don't ask how it works."

As you know, the rules were quite specific: In your own words, 10 words or less, explain the universe. If you refuse, or if you fail to satisfy me, I win. You used your own words, I assume, and there were less than 10 of them. So far, so good. But I'm not satisfied. So I win. Nyaah, nyaah, nyaah! The name of the game, by the way, is Clever Creo Stumps Satanic Evo in the Spiritual Warfare which Engulfs the Galaxy.

[jennyp]

You were my first freeper love. But then you left me for another.

For the record, I was already spoken for. But don't worry, Patrick, you're still on my, um, reserve list.

[Junior]

Personality

That thing which sets one of my dogs apart from the others in terms of tendencies, desires, whatnot, that is not akin to cosmetics (i.e., appearances).

Intelligence

Problem solving abilities.  None of my dogs has gotten past the "nose the already open door open to get into the house" (and one of them can't even figure this one out).  Hell, even the cats have figured out what doorknobs are for.

Design

Now, now.  This is something that y'all have yet to define, though you claim to see it everywhere.  I'd definitely look for a maker's mark or serial number (or "patent pending" stamp).  One of my dogs has spots, but they're rather random and amorphous, so I don't think they'd count.

[whattajoke]

PH seems to be on top of every list! Hurrumph.

[Junior]

Also, please tell me once again, so I understand you, what proposal I am making that is "untestable on its face."

Whether a personality could exist without a physical embodiment.

[jennyp]

PH seems to be on top of every list! Hurrumph.

I guess if the time ever came I'd have to get all you guys in one room & come back in an hour...

[PatrickHenry]

But don't worry, Patrick, you're still on my, um, reserve list.

If I were a bottle of whisky, that would be a good thing.

[Elsie]

...I'd be quite interested in seeing. Until then, I'll stick to what I currently regard as reality.

Fair enough.

---

Lord, reveal yourself to those who are interested to know the truth.

I'm taking you at your word that you will.....

---

Genesis 35:7
   There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel,  because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.

 

 

1 Samuel 3:21
   The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

 

 

Job 12:22
  He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

 

 

Isaiah 40:5
   And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.

 

 

Isaiah 53:1
   Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

 

 

Isaiah 65:1

 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, `Here am I, here am I.'

 

 

Amos 4:13
   He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.

 

 

1 Chronicles 28:9
   "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

 

 

Psalms 9:10
   Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

 

 

Psalms 14:2
   The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

 

 

Isaiah 55:6
   Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

 

 

Matthew 7:7-8
 7.  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
 8.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

 

Acts 17:27
   God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

[Elsie]

Yeah... me too!

[Elsie]

It's called Poker. Or, if you know what you're doing, blackjack as well.

Oh... Chance with insight....

---

I think you still have to....

Know when to fold 'em

[Elsie]

Just us with the timerity to challenge....

[Elsie]

You mean the one in National Geographic???