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.
LOL
Based on what scientific knowledge?
Our populace is really dumb.
Absolutely, all of the above.
I would guess that you would not be happy with the result.
Says who? Guessing without even knowing what I believe? Not very scientific of you, Coyoteman!
I recall my Science teacher outlining evolution theory, and then saying "And some say God did it - discuss!" And discuss we did. I find evolution fascinating, I find attempts at bible proofs fascinating. Back when I was more devout than I am now, I wrote a paper on possible natural phenomena that might have explained the Star of Bethlehem. I'd certainly like to sit in a class and discuss how the animals were not only fit on the ark, but fed and kept alive on it for 40 days as well, because I don't buy that one for a minute. :~)
We just did a few weeks ago, or did you pass out for the duration of the Conclave?
A few weeks is an eternity. When I signed up for this evilutionist thing, I thought I was signing up for almost non-stop partying and debauchery. That's the way it was sold to me anyway. Did the recruiter lie to me?
Hey, you're trying to steal my stick!
Well, take this!
Long ago, before there were any people, the world was young and water covered everything. The earth was a great island floating above the seas, suspended by four rawhide ropes representing the four sacred directions. It hung down from the crystal sky. There were no people, but the animals lived in a home above the rainbow. Needing space, they sent Water Beetle to search for room under the seas. Water Beetle dove deep and brought up mud that spread quickly, turning into land that was flat and too soft and wet for the animals to live on.Grandfather Buzzard was sent to see if the land had hardened. When he flew over the earth, he found the mud had become solid; he flapped in for a closer look. The wind from his wings created valleys and mountains, and that is why the Cherokee territory has so many mountains today.
As the earth stiffened, the animals came down from the rainbow. It was still dark. They needed light, so they pulled the sun out from behind the rainbow, but it was too bright and hot. A solution was urgently needed. The shamans were told to place the sun higher in the sky. A path was made for it to travel--from east to west--so that all inhabitants could share in the light.
The plants were placed upon the earth. The Creator told the plants and animals to stay awake for seven days and seven nights. Only a few animals managed to do so, including the owls and mountain lions, and they were rewarded with the power to see in the dark. Among the plants, only the cedars, spruces, and pines remained awake. The Creator told these plants that they would keep their hair during the winter, while the other plants would lose theirs.
People were created last. The women were able to have babies every seven days. They reproduced so quickly that the Creator feared the world would soon become too crowded. So after that the women could have only one child per year, and it has been that way ever since.
"evolved", of course. Was there any other [non-modal] verb in your sentence?
Well, since I stole it from you, I should have figured you would recognize it! ;)
What's your point?
Not as dazzling as the belief that the entire universe was sneezed out the nose of a being called the Great Green Arkelseizure, but nevertheless, yours is one of the possibilities that can be discussed. :~)
We get so many creationists and IDers on these threads who want their religious beliefs taught as science, with no rebuttal (or else you're bashing religion!), that it is hard to determine who wants what.
I still think science and religion are separate entities, and should not have to compete.
The Norse Creation Story is only a theory, not a fact!
"Man came from monkey, some folks say
But the Good Book baby don't tell it that way.
You believe that monkey tale like some folks do,
Well then I'd rather be that monkey than you"
Especially on Judgment Day!
Absolutely, all of the above.
You realize you are about be creamed, right? The flood alone has more scientific evidence AGAINST it than for it.
"Based on what scientific knowledge?"
The usual culprits, archeology, carbon-dating, tribal migration. From a christian point of view I really don't think God cares except that you believe what his Son put out. And I'm completely comfortable with that. Even Jesus was irritated with the jewish leaders at the time for having him clarify supposedly contradiction of historical social guidelines.
Most reports of God's show of power in the bible has been cataclysim of natural elements, a huge expense of energy that even He had to rest to have a gander at what He did. Could have taken 4 billion years to do the 'six days'. Who knows? Nobody was there, and this argument will be argued until the second coming. The first law of thermodynamics plays nicely into the whole discussion. God is the purity of energy and the purveyor of all unversal elements. He got lonely and made man and gave us free will and a lot of us screw it up. He decided to send an earthly represenation of himself to appeal directly. And we killed his physical form. Great show of appreciation. Oh well, some get, some won't.
I'm not one of those... I want a discussion that represents the world these kids live in. and that includes all this! ~points at all the various responses on the thread~
I laughed out loud when I read your post, because I had the exact same thought almost word for word in my mind as I came to your post. It was a Twilight Zone moment.
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