[Pontiac]

Somehow, they seem to believe that every time the theory of evolution is challenged to account for something that it bolsters the arguement for Creation.

Evolution does not account for anything. It proposes to account for variations in species.

See the above logic diagram of the Scientific Method.

As I understand Darwin’s theory the question he set out to answer was how biodiversity came about.

His research concentrated on birds of similar appearance and differences in beak structure that facilitated different feed habits.

Darwin’s hypothesis boils down to natural preserve and accumulate minor advantageous genetic mutations.

Unfortunately, Darwin’s theory never makes it any farther than this. His theory can not be tested. No one has to my knowledge ever been able to induce a successful mutation. Most natural mutations are fatal. Those natural mutations that are not fatal are for the most part detrimental. Those that are not fatal or detrimental are simply cosmetic and do not increase the survivability of the mutant.

With no experimental testing possible and no observable natural phenomena supporting the hypothesis the theory remains unproven and unprovable.

In other words, Darwin’s theory is on a par with Intelligent design.

[sparklite2]

Well, no. The theory is an effort to explain the fact of evolution. Religionists skip over the part.

[marktwain]

Darwinian theory predicted that transitional fossils should exist.

That is a prediction that has been tested, and found to be true, repeatedly.

Creationists say there are no transitional fossils. Then another transitional fossil is found.

Then they say, well, there is no transitional fossil between the last two that were found!

Creation and Darwinian evolution are in conflict only if creationists insist they are. The conflict is in the minds of the creationists.

Darwinian theory makes no statement on the existence of God.

[freedumb2003]

Of course it can be tested. And falsified. Your 1st grade flow chart works for elementary school. Not for grown-ups.

The entire field of Immunology is based on TToE.

Viruses and bacteria that EVOLVE resistance to medicine are immediate examples. There are also many examples of TToE in action such as flies in NY subways that cannot breed with flies above ground (species differentiation).

Or you want to apply your simple flowchart to say Astronomy? Geology? (and I can define WHY AGW is not science — can you?)

I am used to simpletons not understanding science so don’t feel bad.

[gundog]

Darwin’s work was necessarily limited by a lack of knowledge of DNA. The origin of species via natural selection is a fairly limited part of the overall theory of evolution. Intelligent design? As you say, it can’t be proven. My main quibble is with the Noah’s ark crowd that look to threads like this and say “See?”

[BroJoeK]

Pontiac: "Unfortunately, Darwin’s theory never makes it any farther than this.
His theory can not be tested.
No one has to my knowledge ever been able to induce a successful mutation.
Most natural mutations are fatal.
Those natural mutations that are not fatal are for the most part detrimental.
Those that are not fatal or detrimental are simply cosmetic and do not increase the survivability of the mutant. "

That's all nonsense.
First of all, humans have been successfully modifying domesticated animals and plants for many thousands of years, through human (not natural) selection.
Some modern species are so different from their wild ancestors they are classified as separate species -- i.e., modern cows vs. ancient aurochs.

Second, of course, most mutations are harmless or harmful, not helpful, but in the wild the vast majority of young creatures never make it to full adulthood anyway -- in some species it's over 90% die young.
They die from any combination of bad luck and bad genes, no way to tell which in most cases.
Those who make it have better luck and maybe a little better genes too.
Of course luck can't be inherited but a new allele which works a bit better than the old one can be.

And, as for "testing" Darwin's theory, it's predictions are tested and confirmed daily by thousands of people who work in evolution related fields.
Those test results have provided many new insights into nature's operations, but the basic theory has never been falsified.