Posted on 08/31/2006 7:42:01 PM PDT by PatrickHenry
More adults in the United States believe the theory of evolution is correct, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 51 per cent of respondents think that humans and other living things evolved over time, while 42 per cent say they existed in their present form since the beginning of time.
Charles Darwin’s "The Origin of Species" was first published in 1859. The book details the British naturalist’s theory that all organisms gradually evolve through the process of natural selection. Darwin’s views were antagonistic to creationism, the belief that a more powerful being or a deity created life.
In the United States, the debate on the topic accelerated after the 1925 Scopes trial, which tested a law that banned the teaching of evolution in Tennessee public schools. In 2004, Georgia’s Cobb County was at the centre of a controversy on whether science textbooks that explain evolutionary theory should include disclaimer stickers.
The theory of intelligent design suggests certain biological mechanisms are too complex to have developed without the involvement of a powerful force or intelligent being.
Last month, Austrian cardinal Christoph Schoenborn said the two views are not necessarily incompatible, declaring, "There is no conflict between science and religion, but a debate between a materialist interpretation of the results of science and a metaphysical philosophical interpretation. (...) The possibility that the Creator used evolution as a tool is completely acceptable for the Catholic faith."
Polling Data
Some people think that humans and other living things evolved over time. Others think that humans and other living things existed in their present form since the beginning of time. Which of these comes closest to your view?
|
|
||
|
Jul. 2006 |
Jul. 2005 |
|
|
Evolved over time |
51% |
48% |
|
Existed in their present form |
42% |
42% |
|
Don’t know / Refused |
7% |
10% |
Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,003 American adults, conducted from Jul. 6 to Jul. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
Suppose you make one decision, and change your mind at the last minute.
If your changing your mind was completely predictable, how could it be 'free will'?
They care more about what others think than their faith in God.
They need "proof" of God to show others so they won't feel so alone and unpopular.
Is it your belief that the "image" of God is physical?
Whose avatar are you talking about? If you want to talk avatars, mine is the ugliest.
You seriously need help.
I'd like to know why so many Christians think it's okay for their fellows to engage in bad behavior without admonishing...
If a creo steals, it's the fault of the guy he stole from.
Democrats don'tchaknow!
If I could see into the future and predict everything, would that stop you from having free will, even if I don't know you and never tell you anything about my predictions?
indeed!
Appreciate you posting the links. I've printed out several pages for nightstand reading material. Newton is one of my favorites from Science History, but Feynman is the all-time favorite.
Suppose you wrote it down before I did it. Then you showed me afterwards. Everything I did supposedly by my own choice was on the sheet. To what extent did I have a free choice?
Your concept of time is the problem, not the notion of free will.
well, House Bunnies have their uses, true.
By the way, I claim no originality for my argument. People hae been arguing this for 2500 years. An omniscient entity is pretty much incompatible wih the human self-image as free actors. If I ask you to pick a card from a deck, you do it, and it turns out I've written down which card it was - and assuming it isn't a trick - wouldn't you assume I'd someohow rigged for you to choose that card?
In have no idea why you think this matters the least to me. I object to your posting pictures of defecating canids. I don't care about your vendatta against some website.
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