Readings in evolution

steve smyth — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:16:55 GMT

the pic gives me that Yoda feeling, eh?

Readings in evolution

raymond belanger Las Vegas, nv. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:21:02 GMT

It's amazing that it took to 150 years ago for people to notice that everything changes. Then they called the change "Evolution" which of course is still "change". and now there are people who,because they changed the name, don't beleive that there's change,[evolution] Is this a serious arguement?

Readings in evolution

Mary Doria Russell (Cleveland, Ohio) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:47:13 GMT

Delighted to read that my novel The Sparrow has been picked for the CLUB club, although I'd be happier if you guys would buy it new so I get the royalties. As it happens, Neandertals were my speciality when I was still a working paleoanthropologist. Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about The Sparrow.

Readings in evolution

Robert Bruno, Portland Oregon — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:16:41 GMT

May I suggest anything published by Stephen Jay Gould?

Readings in evolution

dan homer alaska — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:19:31 GMT

The world worships the great lie. Evolution is impossible. If it were even a remote possibility; the world would be covered with viruses {they multiply faster then animals and therefore mutate faster thereby wiping out all competition}.

Readings in evolution

dick ambrose — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:40:03 GMT

Stop teaching our children falsehoods !

Readings in evolution

David Brainard — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:03:33 GMT

Having read many of the articles on the anniversary of Charles Darwin, it seems to me that the media is making a 'god' and even a 'savior' out of a mere man. Is Darwinism now a 'religion,' a belief system, a scientism. As he has been worshipped in the halls of our universities, let us now worship him now in the media. Let us sing songs of praise to him. Seeing how Darwinism influenced Hitler, it is scary to think how the morality of the survival of the fittest will effect our world.

Readings in evolution

nemo hamilton mt — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:22:16 GMT

No one claims incompatability with religion, just the Bible. If churches believe Darwin they don't believe the Bible.

Readings in evolution

SteveMD2 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:27:40 GMT

One thing that would be a great move forward would be for the creationists to forget their superstitions. We are on the verge of putting together the whole story of the Universe's creation from the big bang, which itself has been confirmed.

I'm sure that the open mind religions will find ways to combine Evolution with concepts about God, that is ok. But you can be sure that the recalcitrant, backwards looking, never admitting an error groups for fear their whole house of cards based on faith (in what....) will collape, will continue on their own path to where they belong - ridicule and ruin.

Readings in evolution

JC, Durham — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:29:33 GMT

Allan, nearly all religious people have no problem with science. Our problem comes when some scientists offer their opinion as fact on the explanation given for the evidence. There are reasonable alternative explanations. We usually don't use the 1 hour church service for a science lesson. There is plenty of time to do that on our own time. We are there to honor our Creator and also to minister to one another.

Either way, I have enjoyed reading your blog this week on evolution even though I do not believe the in Darwinian evolution model. Keep up the good work.

Readings in evolution

Erika Wilson, Harrogate, Tn. — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:59:49 GMT

I cannot understand why churches cannot accept evolution. God is the beginning and the creation. From there it is evolution over millions of years. I dont think God punches a timeclock but might like to see things evolve.
Then God said: "Let us make man in our image,in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the ground"
So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. (Genesis 1,26-27)

It is my believe that God created the soul of male and female and put them in suitable bodies to live on earth. After all, our earthen bodies do not count, they go back to dust. The soul is the important part and should return to God.
Unfortunatly, while all the creation around us evolves and goes on, our souls do not seem to evolve or learn . We still cannot manage to accept our diversities or diverences and learn to get along.
But there is always hope.
Erika

Readings in evolution

I Crause, London — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:33:18 GMT

You can believe in God but it has nothing whatsoever to do with Darwin's theory of evolution. That leads to an arbitrary and mechanistic worldview - one that I happily hold with no spiritual infirmities whatsoever, I'm pleased to report.
In fact I'm very much looking forward to reading Christian Moevs new book on Dante. That's where religion belongs: in books.

Readings in evolution

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:45:27 GMT

Oh great...theologians playing scientist now! The biblical God IS incompatible with Darwin's theory.

Readings in evolution

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:51:55 GMT

People can read Darwins Origin of Species here http://www.literature.org/authors/darwin-charles/the-origin-of-species/

The type of english makes for a not so easy read so take all the time you need.

Readings in evolution

Jim A, Albany, Oregon — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:25:22 GMT

Alan, I just would like to say that I really enjoy and appreciate your column. I really look forward to your perspective and as I click on my Cosmic Log icon on my desktop, I lean forward a little bit and prepare myself to be astonished. Thank you. You're fun!
By the way, there is saying I really like that can be applied to all sorts of different topics, from the LHC to Darwin, that I would like to share with you: remember, SAID & DID aren't even brothers.

Readings in evolution

Ted Evans, San diego, CA — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:03:00 GMT

It is absolutely amazing to me in this age of vast information, that there are those that still advocate evolution. It is a lie from Satan. God created the heavens and the earth, and everything in it. Look at His creation, He gave us plants, soil, water. And look at all the amazing things people can do with these things to make housing, metals, gourmet foods, etc. God loves us! The Bible says that we all are born once, and die once, and then comes the judgement. He also gave us Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for our sins so we can live eternally in heaven (John 3:16). We cannot make it into heaven on our own because we have all sinned. We need Jesus.

Evolution on the other hand is a lie that really says that we are here by some random chance. So a watermelon looks like a water balloon, so they must be related, blah blah blah The chimp looks like a human so they must be related. We came from the goo, through the zoo, to me and you blah blah blah, I have heard this all my life in public schools. What complete trash evolution teaches.

Readings in evolution

dl columbia,mo — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:21:06 GMT

Scientific and religious leaders are sharing information on Darwin. Great. But still only 4 in 10 people believe in evolution as a theory. You know only 4 of 10 people will read the articles and that leaves the other 6 people in blissful ignorance.

Readings in evolution

Sarastarlight — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:13:43 GMT

Did you know Darwin invented gravity? He could walk on water?
His brother was Jesus Christ? That he discovered the big bang in his bathtub? And that when the cow jumped over the moon, Darwin had got there first? Please--all the media fools lying to us about their god. What Darwin said is this: The fit survive, they are fit because they survive, and they survive because they are fit. That's not science. Its not even a theory. Its a tautology.

Readings in evolution

Ray Panko — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:37:26 GMT

I'm a Catholic. We have no problems with evolution. Please don't think that everyone who is religious buys the literal interpretation of the Bible. If God wishes to tell a story in a literary way to make moral points, I don't think we should tell Him He can't. Besides, is the mustard seed really the smallest of all seeds?

Readings in evolution

Pluto Animus, Lakewood, Colo. — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:18:50 GMT

The Old Testament says that Earth stands still.
Anyone with intelligence knows that that is a lie.
Obviously, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which are all based on the Old Testament simply CANNOT be true, as it makes patently false claims about the nature of the world we live in.
Clearly, there is no "falsity of claims that religious belief and evolutionary theory are incompatible;" such claims are UNDENIABLY quite true. Or does the whole universe revolve around the Earth (and by extension, around the religious believer)?

Readings in evolution

Fred Bichl, Yakima, WA — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:34:20 GMT

It is amazing how the God gaps are shrinking and being filled in by verified science-verified information. Eventually... Who knows what could be discovered and scientifically verified?

Readings in evolution

Bruce David, Sacramento CA — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:38:36 GMT

How about "Evolution, a Theory in Crisis" by Michael Denton, or "Darwin's Black Box" and "The Edge of Evolution" by Michael Behe. Why do you recommend only one side of this controversial issue?

Readings in evolution

Unorganized Religion — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:15:19 GMT

Organized religion has made a brand out of stifling ideas over the past two thousand years. Latest addition of Holocaust denier to the ranks of the Church is just another one of those moments.

Organized religion is about being part of a non-thinking and oh-so-spiritual mob. If that cranks your wheel, fine by me, but don;t go around spreading the gospel to the unwilling.

Readings in evolution

Gavin, Toronto, Ont — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:19:24 GMT

Mr. Boyle didn't ask for religious commentary; he asked for book suggestions. Among the very best books on evolution:
Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel C. Dennett
and
What Evolution Is by Ernst Mayr

Readings in evolution

Mark Mobiuas — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:25:10 GMT

Too many fundamentalist bible thumpers. Has anyone ever questioned, who wrote the bible? I read many author's names in that book. How much bias does that book have? I guess it is more difficult to change old handed down beliefs with no proofs, than to question proven modern beliefs.

Readings in evolution

R. Anderson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:29:41 GMT

Right. The earth is the center of the universe. And its flat. It is also the only planet. Any of these sounding familiar?

Believe in god all you want, but please stop holding science and rational thought back with it.

Readings in evolution

Troy Boyle, Elsmere, Kentucky — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:54:54 GMT

Religion is delusion born of fear.

Readings in evolution

Joel — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:07:53 GMT

Seriously, let's just say that evolution is real (just go with me on this and keep reading) and that God is real. Do you really think that when God relayed what happened "in the beginning" that he could have told it with all the facts and dates? NO...he knew that instead of taking a bible to church we would have to haul an entire library with us. Now that we are able to understand things more (wait, is that evolution...)God is letting information out a little at a time. It is said that He only gives what we can handle.
There is something to be said for what Erika Wilson stated above about our souls. Very intriguing.
As for Dan Homer in Alaska stated above that viruses would have to mutate, etc...I hate to be the bearer of bad news but they do...what's that pesky flu that could cause "some" issues..the bird flu. Also, how do you think we have MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) which is a bacterium. Let's not forget that the mitochondria that is in each cell of every person comes from a form of bacteria that was around before man.

Readings in evolution

D, Kansas City — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:11:45 GMT

"If evolution existed the world would be covered in viruses?"....uh guess what man? The world IS covered with viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. Fortunately we have immune systems to fight most of them off. Although they do EVOLVE resistance to antibiotics which is a huge problem not getting much attention in the media. BTW, I'm catholic and my catholic school in KANSAS taught evolution.

Readings in evolution

Frank R — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:25:35 GMT

There is *no* such thing as "Darwinism". Evolutional Biology *is* hard-core science. How does it make more sense to have George Burns crack a joke or light a cigar, and then the whole Universe - man included, the very next day - just pops into existence? How about stone-cold evidence that the Universe is 14500 billion years old and that humans evolved from primates? Where did all that background radiation going right through you as you read this come from? Why is it such an incredibly accurate dating marker?

To you, my devout friends, I'd like to sell a slightly used bridge, in whatever city you choose. I even have pri-mo real "Mare-side" estate on the moon

Readings in evolution

Douglas Pearce, Johannesburg, South Africa — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:10:09 GMT

Whatever the answer is makes no real difference in the long run. It is mankind's apparant desperate need to find all the 'answers' that has led to the creation of religion which has, over the millenia given people the perfect excuse to go to war in defense of one religious belief or another.
It really is all nonsense. Who really cares whether Darwin's theory is right or wrong?
Why not consider the possibility that all religion is barking up the wrong tree, including Darwinism?
Now THAT is something worth pondering.

Readings in evolution

frank burns — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:19:47 GMT

It is sad that people just swallow dogma, depending on what church they happen to be raised in. When faced with facts, like fossils and scientific discovery, they show their foolisness. And the worst thing is, it doesn't make them bettter peopole, just more narrow, while giving their pastor a job. Sad.

Readings in evolution

JohnMichael, Indianapolis, Indiana — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:35:35 GMT

Origin of the Species looks almost NOTHING like modern evolution theory, which is continually updated when new theories are shot down as impossible, like spontaneous generation. Just about everything Darwin wrote has been disproven, including the fact that he considered blacks to be an inferior species (which Hitler latched onto, and promoted). His "celebration" is next to Lincoln's birthday, and those two men couldn't be farther apart. One believed in racial superiority and spontaneous generation, the other in racial equality and divine intervention. Darwin was an elitist promoting the theory of universal elitism.

Readings in evolution

Jon Maynard, Lansing, Michigan — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:20:46 GMT

The Catholic church last week made a statement that it accepts Darwin's teachings and evolution. Their position is now that God created the initial conditions of the Universe, but that from then on everything evolved and continues to evolve.

Next month the Vatican is holding a conference on evolution. They invited creationists and intelligent designers as an afterthought only to provide a counterpoint to the discussions.

Readings in evolution

ScienceLogicReason != Faith — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

dan homer alaska Your attempt to use evolution to disprove the theory is funny!

A virus is not alive. Yes it evolves very fast but if it kills a host organism the virus dies too. Therefore virus evolution would favor the virus that keeps the host alive as long as possible...

A bacteria is alive, but if it infects organisms, the same basic principle would apply. Killing your host is suicide. (worthy of a Darwin Award ;)

Readings in evolution

Jason Lotito, Canada — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:42:09 GMT

Bruce,

Because it's not a controversial issue. It's as controversial as the Theory of Gravity. And while we are still learning new things about evolution, even when faced with something we didn't expect, it still supports the theory.

There is a misunderstanding with the uninformed masses that disbelieve evolution: that somehow the scientific community is unwilling to budge. This is furthest from the truth. The truth is, scientists the world over would throw away evolution if it could be proven false. But it hasn't. Science is the search for truth.

I'd go so far as to say religion is the one who is not willing to give in to evolution. I've yet to see any evidence from any so-called ID scientist. Each argument gets more and more far fetched.

Finally, just because people oppose an idea doesn't make it controversial. It makes one side ignorant.

That being said, I'm sure you'd be willing to support me in my cause to fight the Theory of Gravity. Intelligent Attraction for the win!

Readings in evolution

Jane Fowler, San Diego, CA — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:03:38 GMT

This Darwin blogging community is worth checking out.
http://bloggingdarwin.com/

Readings in evolution

LuAnn Wendover, Milan, NY — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:27:22 GMT

It never fails to amaze me that the Theory of evolution is still hailed as fact...still haven't found the missing link, and never will...why are we called superstitious to believe in a creator?

It's ok, when we are all faced with what comes after...no one will be able to say that they weren't shown the way...perhaps you chose to believe whatever the scientific community comes up with every few decades or so, and it seems to change all the time, but as for me...i believe in the way, the truth, and the life...Jesus Christ.

And please don't categorize me as just another one of those 'ignorant' christians, please. Many of us are well read, talk about what we read, analyze it, and then chose to accept or refute it based on our beliefs, and oftentimes, common sense.

My biggest problem with the theory of evolution, is that is is just that...still a theory! or it would be taught and called the FACT of Evolution.

Until it is proven, I will hold on to my beliefs...

Readings in evolution

Drew Ashcroft, Austin, TX — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:27:35 GMT

> Why do you recommend only one side of this controversial issue?

Because it's not controversial and the only ones battling the windmills of reality are religious zealots undeserving of our attention?

Readings in evolution

John, Wyoming, DE — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:31:46 GMT

It is absolutely imperative to close one's mind off to rational thought to reject evolution. Reading these comments it is sad to see so many people in total denial. This is a free country where we are free to believe whatever we wish, even what we know not to be true. That is religious freedom and it's okay to believe the earth is 6,000 years old. What is not okay and a violation of our constitutional rights is to teach religion in public schools. Every single credible scientist in the world accepts evolution as the leading scientific theory or fact, depending on what has been proven and what we are still working on. People who want creationism taught in our schools are hurting this country and attacking science. Leave science to the scientists and separate religion and believe what you wish, but leave the absurd satan comments and the like to your closed minded cult.

Readings in evolution

ROBERT BELLAMY, TAMPA, FLORIDA — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:43:01 GMT

THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE IS NOT EVOLUTION. IT IS THAT RELIGION TEACHES THAT MAN'S BASIC NATURE IS SELF-INDULGENT, AND WEAK. HE IS INCAPABLE OF PERFORMING GOOD ACTS ON HIS OWN. HE NEEDS THE HELP OF A GRACE FROM GOD TO PERFORM GOODNESS.
THE VERY FACT THAT MAN HAS AN INTELLECT, AND IS CAPABLE OF LEARNING, UNDERSTANSDING, AND COMMUNICATING MEANS THAT MAN IS CAPABLE OF EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND ALTRUISM. THE SELF-INDULGENCE, AGGRESSION, AND WEAKNESS OF MAN ARE TRAITS THAT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION.
THE MORE WE LEARN TO USE OUR MINDS, AND THE LESS WE DEPEND ON THE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF EVOLUTION, THE MORE WE BECOME ALTRUISTIC AND GODLIKE.
WE HAVE LEARNED MORE IN THE LAST 100 YEARS THAN WE HAVE IN THE LAST 10,000 YEARS; AND THE FUTURE IS UNLIMITED.

Readings in evolution

Al Matt — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:04:22 GMT

While visiting Asia, I can tell you that their heart is warmed over by the comments of the "anti-evolutionists" here. While they are determined to beat the pants off us in science and math - keeping religion far away from schools and scientific thought - we are determined to put our fate and our kids future in the hands of "God" and scream "controversial" whenever evolution is mentioned as a scientific fact. [...]

Readings in evolution

James Carson, Sioux City, Iowa — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:16:01 GMT

So many ignorant Americans...so much stupidity in so many of the above comments. I have studied evolution all of my academic life, and do speak from a position of scientific knowledge. Denying scientific facts because of religious beliefs is totally misguided. It is a huge, wonderful, 13.7 billion year old universe that we live in. The facts are so much more amazing than the myths imagined by the writers of ancient religious texts such as the Torah, the Bible and the Koran, on which most modern creationist bigots of various stripes rely.

Readings in evolution

Regnvejr, Casper, WY — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:41:28 GMT

Lots of remarks against Darwin and Science here. The common trned is that those posters clearly show that they dont even know what evolution is. Pathetic

Readings in evolution

rbuehrer, Pemberville, OH — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:07:57 GMT

I have studied molecular evolution as a biologist and have discussed evolution with my brother a UCC pastor. I suggested that the simple solution is God created evolution. The problem the UCC church has with evolution is their belief that God is perfect. If he is perfect then his creation must not evolve. Evolution requires that God's creation was flawed. This is not acceptable. My brother is an intelligent thinking person and is troubled by this paradox. Evolution is obvious to anyone who observes the world around them. We used to think that it took many generations for the mutations to produce viable organisms. We have recently found out that some mutations can produce viability in very few generations. Darwin's interpretation of evolution was not perfect. There is more to discover. That is the beauty of our world. Keep up the good work and keep looking for the answers.

Readings in evolution

Jeffrey Brown, Las Vegas — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:38:51 GMT

There is no controversy concerning the scientific theory of evolution. There are those who are educated enough to recognize sound science when they see it, and those whose superstitious willful ignorance has interfered with that education. The latter group act like spoiled children holding their breath in order to get their way. It is a shame such people can't/won't grow up.

Not only has it stood the test of time, but the theory itself has "evolved," as we have continued to add more pieces to the puzzle.

Readings in evolution

sobe, madison wisconsin usa — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:07:14 GMT

The creation story from the bible is false, and is not an alternative to evolution as an explanation for the complexity of life on this planet.
Creationism, or intelligent design, as it is currently called, can not answer any questions or even decide which creationist myth is the One True Myth.

Readings in evolution

Garry Grofcsik, Aiea, Hawaii — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:23:23 GMT

To all Judeo-Christian/Muslim believers: Consider carefully and thoroughly these ideas (I'll be polite, although I'm not sure you deserve that).

1. Your unshakable faith is nothing more than the result of what was authoritatively driven into your mind when you were a child.

2. Suppose NASA announced today that an asteroid, large enough to wipe our humanity, is on an unavoidable collision course with Earth (Certainly you accept that possibility). The collision will occur long before we have time to develop technology to prevent it. What would you have to say about your "God" at that point?

3. Consider the case of Lakshmi Tatma, the little, Hindu, Indian girl who recently survived an operation to remove the body of her headless twin, attached at the pelvis. What would your "God" have to say about previous cases like Lakshmi's where the affected child had no access to modern medical technology for such an operation? Why would the "God" you worship as beneficent and loving deny all those innocent, beleaguered individuals a chance at surgical help, but single out Lakshmi for "His" blessing? Keep in mind, while you're coming up with an answer, that Lakshmi's parents have surely never considered prayer, or any type of donation, to your "God".

Please try to open your minds to the realities of the world, including the obvious facts of the evolutionary process and the foolishness of religious fairytales.

Readings in evolution

Dennis Emer, Wake Forest NC — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:12:21 GMT

To Pluto Animus: I am a Christian. I hold no anger or ill will toward those who choose not to believe what I believe. I do, however, have one question for you, Pluto. You said that the Old Testament says earth stands still. I have checked 4 versions of the Bible and cannot find that statement. Could you help me with the book and verse?

Readings in evolution

Philip, Manchester England. — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:45:30 GMT

America should lead the world the world in science, but instead most Americans cling to primitive superstitions, believing that a sky fairy created the world, and mutilating their children by hacking at boys' genitals. Even Obama, a supposedly educated man says that he is the 'instrument of god'. Not the instrument of Odin or Zeus, no that would be mental.

Readings in evolution

JC, Fairbanks, AK — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:11:00 GMT

For my part I am happy that ANTI-science reached it's high point a few years ago and now, from president's office to local school boards, is in full retreat. This has been happening for year in other parts of the world, and it's past time it happened here. Pasta la vista, superstitions!

Readings in evolution

Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:12:43 GMT

How small and insignificant must a mind be to insist on applying science to the study of God. Science is a great tool for studying the natural world not because it is perfect but because it is the best tool we have. If we are intelligent at all we must acknowledge it’s limitations. It’s great for studying things that can be measured and observed. God is the creator of all things that are. He created the universe. As the creator he preexisted the natural world. Anyone who has even the least little bit of intelligence can see that if he existed before mass existed he must have no mass so we can’t put him on a scale to find out how much he weighs. Anyone with even the least little bit of intelligence can see that if he existed before there was distance he has no size so we can use neither a micrometer nor a distance ladder to measure how big he is. We can use a microscope to look at stuff, but God isn’t made of stuff so a microscope is useless. The study of God is, indeed, unscientific. This is because science is inadequate for the task, it is lacking. It occurs to me that only a dullard would insist that science be the definitive measure of the existence or non-existence of God when it is obvious that science is incapable of measuring God. Thousands of years before the scientific method it was recorded that God created all the stuff that makes up the physical world. Hundreds of years before the scientific method it was written that God is a spirit, as opposed to a part of the physical world. These clearly weren’t written as excuses to avoid being trapped by the scientific method because they predated it. They were written as simple facts, truth, an expression of the nature of God. How small minded and petty a person must be to insist on using a tool that is incapable of detecting God as the standard for whether or not God exists.

Readings in evolution

Rick Mayers — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:22:56 GMT

God created evolution.

Readings in evolution

Jereme BP, Richland, Washington — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:42:36 GMT

To Dan Homer: "If it were even a remote possibility; the world would be covered with viruses {they multiply faster then animals and therefore mutate faster thereby wiping out all competition}."

Natural resources determine species population, not maximum reproductive potential. If viruses multiplied too fast, with detrimental effects, they would cause a population crash and themselves be wiped out.

To Nemo Hamilton: "No one claims incompatability with religion, just the Bible. If churches believe Darwin they don't believe the Bible."

Then the Catholic and Protestant denominations don't believe the bible? Many mainstream religions reconcile evolution with genesis, it is only a small fundamentalist minority in various religions that declare it incompatible, but they do so loud enough they believe they speak for all their fellows.

Readings in evolution

R. Dean — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:56:43 GMT

"The Theory of Evolution", which is the foundation science biology, botany and physiology is one of Mankind's greatest achievements of intellect. It's sad so many want it brought down.

During the Dover trial, Behe was right when he said, "If you use the same criteria that identifies Mystical Creation as "science", then you would also have to include astrology and alchemy.

Readings in evolution

HL, Cleveland, Ohio — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:09:45 GMT

What is amazing is that the denialists don't have a clue of what they are talking about. Of course no one can know everything about everything, but then, if we make such bold statements, like a set of scientific laws that has been the backbone of biology and geology over 100 years is a lie...I guess we would care to know what those laws say.
Is there a controversy about evolution? Sure, but only in the public, not in the scientific community. There isn't a single accredited college where it isn't taught in biology(otherwise nothing else makes sense). Did Darwin speak of survival of the fittest? The term was coined by Herbert Spencer, not Darwin. What is the method of denialists like Behe? Never bother with publications in peer reviewed journals, take your case directly to the public. Is Darwinian evolution possible? Well, farmers, dog breeders and pigeon fanciers did it for centuries before Darwin, breeding new species from old ones, sufficiently different they couldn't mate with them any more. Darwin only said living conditions of animals and plants do the job of the breeder. Does evolution say we came to exist because of "chance"? No more than the "chance" of a dog bred for herding sheep getting along with sheep well.

Readings in evolution

Curtis Bartone, Savannah, Georgia — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:28:38 GMT

I long for the day when we realize that organized religion is a hinderance to the true progress of our species. Evolution is a concept that requires some thought to grasp, which troubles religious followers used to facile answers to the tough questions. Our species will truly "evolve" when we throw away our myths and superstitions--our churches! The world will benefit from our humbling realization that human beings are pretty fascinating, but we are just one of many species and we haven't been around that long to get get cocky.

Readings in evolution

ralph glendale az — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:58:39 GMT

who really cares, taxes and death is for sure,you small minded people get into the now,look forward to your own time here because its coming to an end, so go live what life you have left. Then maybe after your gone you'll get the truth,just like the rest of us.

Readings in evolution

chris clark, salt lake city, utah — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:25:50 GMT

People, science and religion are completely compatible. They are both the means to the same end. Most great scientists are people who have abelief in a higher being. In my opinion evolution is the ultimate example of "intelligent design." I can not think of a more intelligent design. A process by which gods creation can continue to adapt to an ever changing environment. If we can all open our minds and hearts we can move past confrontation and towards harmony.

Readings in evolution

Jim A, Albany, Oregon — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:49:12 GMT

It's sad that there are so many people on this discussion page who lump all religions together and spew out their disdain for other's belief systems. It's just as sad that there are many here who spout their religous views showing how intolerant they are of those who don't even consider that God can and does exist. Narrow-mindedness runs amok on both sides of the argument. Refreshing it is to see quite a few who are neither one nor the other.
I love science, the good and the bad. I've had an interest is astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, the Big Bang, oceanography, geology plus a few more since I was a teenager. I'm now 54 years old. As of late I find myself becoming fascinated by quantum physics.
I was not raised up in a church, and I was as agnostic as they come for many years. In the past decade I've become aware that the universe makes no real sense if it came about by accident or chance, just as we humans have no real purpose if mankind evolved from a "pool of goo", by chance.
I've had some experiences that convince me utterly that God does exist. I can't prove that God exists. I relize I don't need to. And I still love the branches of science I'm interested in. Sciencedaily.com is one of my favorite websites, thanks to a link from Alan Boyle. God Bless You Alan.
I know all life evolves. Change is what has put us at the top of the food chain, yet I have no doubts that God started the ball rolling. Heck, he made the ball. I suppose I'm a living contradiction. I believe in God, Science, and when I read the words that Jesus Christ spoke with such incredible power and authority, I came to believe in Him also.
Hmmmm. Food for thought.

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Tom Carson, Hilo, Hawaii — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:09:50 GMT

Let's see... there is a canon of scriptures that was written a pretty long time ago. There were other scriptures as well that were not included for various reasons... Wait a minute... wasn't there some other writings further to the east? Did the same group of guys review them to determine if they should be included in the cannon they were putting together? Am I confused or what? We can clearly see the evolution of animals... however, some would discount that because it conflicts with the "scriptures".... There very well could be a God. However, I'm sure, if there is, he's pretty disgusted with "Religious" people here on earth. "I'm sure if God wanted to tell us something. It wouldn't come from some guy on Sunday television with a bad hair do" - Unknown -

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Dan, Indiana — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:28:29 GMT

Dennis from N.C. - Try Joshua 10:12-13.
The reference is to the Sun standing still in the sky. In order for that to have happened, the Earth must have stopped rotating on its axis.

LuAnn from N.Y. - [...] In science “theories” are stronger than facts. After all, gravity is only a theory.

The scientific (and historic) illiteracy in this country is widespread and frightening.

Readings in evolution

Jake2112 Taylorville Illinois — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:30:38 GMT

seriously if all they taught in school was parallel to what the bible says, would we have the the technology we have now? The difference is that some people are trying to put the puzzle together with the peices scattered on the table and others are saying don't dare question we don't need the peices the bible told us how it should look. Just remember the bible isn't responsible for our everyday technology, it's the scientists that are looking for the questions not just the answers. NOTHING IS EVER SET IN STONE

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David M. Fitzpatrick, Brewer, Maine — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:15:37 GMT

Dennis Emer: You're my favorite example of Xian -- one who claims to know his Bible, but clearly has no clue. It my experience, most religious people don't know much about the religions they embrace so blindly.

The OT is full of statements about the Earth being the center of the universe, so you sure as heck didn't look very hard. Try these out:

1 Chronicles 16:30: Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

Psalm 93:1: The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Psalm 96:10: Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Psalm 104:5: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

This forum cracks me up. All the fire-and-brimstone Bible-waving by stupid people is laughable. And it's always amusing that those who protest the loudest usually don't link to Web sites or emails.

All you religious people: First, look up what the word "theory" means when it comes to science. It isn't an untested idea like you all seem to think it is. I'd lecture about it here, but you won't listen anyway (nor are you likely to look it up).

Scientific sorts: You won't change any religious people's minds here today, I think. But look at how science has been advancing since the end of the Dark Ages -- since religion began to lose its grasp on the minds of people everywhere. There have been great leaps of progress, and more every day. Religion is dying, and its death is speeding up.

That doesn't change the fact that there are plenty of people who blindly believe this silliness. Just grab a bowl of popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show as these meatballs proclaim how devoted they are to the fictitious personage of Jesus Christ, and how they think the Earth is 6,000 years old, and how they refuse to believe the universe came from nowhere yet espouse that very belief when it comes to their gods, and so on. It's great entertainment!

Grow up, religionists. Really, grow up. You stopped believing in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy because you accepted they were silly. I know you need religion as a crutch, but once you realize you can live a good life and be a good person and so forth WITHOUT it, you'll be much better off.

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Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:59:21 GMT

I saw the PBS show that covered the 2005 court case in Dover Kansas that concerned allowing "Intelligent Design" (ID) in the
HS science curriculum. The backers of ID wanted a presentation of a second way of looking at why life on earth has come to be what it is. Well I say, why not? Let the students make the comparisons for themselves. If CORRECTLY PRESENTED,
I would bet that almost all students would have to conclude that "ID" really is not science compared to Darwin's theory and that it
has no real value in reasonably describing life on earth. In this way, ID would eventually be extinguished and their backers would be victims
of their own intentions.

Readings in evolution

Dave, OK — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:30:28 GMT

Dan Homer in Alaska: viruses are not technically alive. They cannot reproduce without a host cell. Thus, it is in viruses' evolutionary interest NOT to kill its animal or bacterial host. It is, however, in a viruses' evolutionary interest to cause illness that makes its host shed viral offspring by sneezing, coughing, or otherwise secreting infected substances. Viruses with 100% fatality rates die out very quickly indeed, having no offspring!

[ALAN ADDS: It's interesting how we invest even viruses with an evolutionary interest ... even though that little splotch of genetic code doesn't really formulate what is or isn't in its interest. That construction, as well as other anthropomorphic terms associated with evolution, makes it easier for us to understand how natural selection works ... but it also tends to make us think that viruses are somehow sentient beings. It's as if we're saying that a coin naturally wants to come up heads half the time and tails half the time.]

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Dave, OK — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:10:40 GMT

RE: TED EVANS, San Diego, CA

Since you don't like it, maybe we shouldn't teach science in science classes. Should we teach "intelligent design" then? Let's see . . .

Is "intelligent design" science?
No. ID posits no testable hypotheses aside from the statement that the universe and life are so complex that their existence cannot be explained without a creator. By the way, this statement IS testable, and has been disproved by the mere fact that evolutionary theory exists. ID says we shouldn't try to explain anything because we can't. That's not science, and I don't want my kids learning it in high school or any place else! Science belongs in science classes, and dogmas that stifle scientific pursuits belong in your church, not mine!

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James Carson — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:10:00 GMT

Re: Thomas Ashby, Calgary. Your idea is an interesting one. But if we give equal time to "Intelligent Design", shouldn't we also give equal time to all of the various creation myths such as that in Genesis, the Koran and Hindu creation myths just for starters? Wouldn't such non-scientific concepts be better taught in comparative religion or philosophy classes, if they are to be "taught" in schools at all?

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Dylan Quigley, Sandpoint, ID — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:09:06 GMT

Why isnt christianity, islam or buddhism taught in schools? Because they're faiths. However, the holes in the theory of evolution make it so unlikeky that it's believers have to have a "faith" in the theory. So why is this faith taught but not the others?

Readings in evolution

Jeffrey Waukegan,Il — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:10:47 GMT

Of all concepts thought by men or animals or other organisms very few are exact, yet with every thoughtful arguement for or against some theory most Ideas are an aproximation formed from those few ideas(concepts which don't change).

With nearly everything being done with approximate thoughts how exactly does evolution work? Why are fossils shown that the same kind of animal reevolved over and over like crocodile like creatures did three different times? Does reality require its own exactness to succeed at evolution ? Is reality helping our inexact approximate thoughts becoming exact so evolution can exist?

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Dave, OK — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Good point, Alan! Viruses are not sentient, and do not have interests. Viruses with genetic traits that allow them to propagate in their host populations (by causing infected individuals to shed viral offspring for extended periods), will multiply. Viruses that rapidly cause the death of their host individuals, on the other hand, have limited opportunity to spread.

I sometimes wonder whether our sentience as humans is only superficial. Perhaps we don't have as much control over our behavior as we think we have. But this line of thought leads to something dangerously similar to the doctrine of predestination, and I am a fan of random processes, rather than deterministic ones. In human populations, some adaptive behaviors are learned while others are strictly inherited. It is often the interplay of these two that determines successes in terms of finances, reproduction, etc. Oh those random permutations! They make things so exciting . . .

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Robbie Withey, New Bern, NC — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:15:31 GMT

i agree with david from brewer,maine. religion has been a tool devised by the elitists from centuries past to feed upon their unearned rise to power & subjugate the masses to their whims(still going on today)out of man's need to look elsewhere to tell him how to live. man just didn't look inwards to guide himself. your thoughts and actions are your own,not planted there by "god". science is necessary for our modern world & evolution, or theory thereof, is viable. darwin proposed this through careful observations of creatures over a period of time, then used his brain to make those notations for future science. the zealots need to realize evolution is a slow process still being studied, the study itself will continue to evolve as more discoveries are made. science has proven the earth is approximately 4billion years old, not a mere 6,000. that number is based on about how long civilization started forming into cities & societies with those intermingling peoples bringing their beliefs to others and the tale grows taller on down the line. science and religion do not make good bedfellows and should remain separate just as religion and politics remain separate. why do you suppose that is? hmmmm.....

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Henry Burns, San Francisco, CA — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:13:03 GMT

Sigh...Pretty much what I've come to expect on these types of message boards. Creationists who don't understand what a Theory is, Creationists who resort to character assassination, Creationists who lie, and Creationists who resort to religious blackmail. And these are the people who claim you can't be moral without 'God'?

Readings in evolution

Des Emery, St. Thomas, ON, Canada — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:56:37 GMT

If some people reject "evolution" because it seems to reject God's hand (so to speak) working to make all of creation, I wonder why they drive around in automobiles or fly here and there in airplanes, both powered essentially by the invention of the internal combustion engine. God's word, the Bible, talks about horses and chariots, but not cars and planes. So doesn't that mean the people should reject modern conveniences along with Darwin's theory?

And the atheists here mostly show complete disregard and much unfounded antipathy for religious beliefs which can easily exist alongside scientific faith, neither one necessarily obviating the other.

The pity is that so much intolerance is so openly displayed by both sides.

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Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:03:53 GMT

James Carson: Well, I am only speaking of the Dover, Kansas case in 2005. You seem to be saying that some kind of flood gate would be opened. The point being they want ID to be thought of as a theory and dealt with in scientific terms. I doubt very much you would have every kind of religion knocking on the HS curriculum door to have "equal time"...Michael BeHe's "irreducible complexity" arguement was shown to be full o holes and incidently, it is amazing he is employed as a science professor of microbiology.

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Jaycubed — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:53:35 GMT

The actual choice is between Evolution and Devolution.

All scientific evidence supports the idea that we are evolving creatures living within an evolving universe.

Fairy Tales of various cultures propose that at first everything was perfect, but it's been going downhill ever since. This is devolution. There is no evidence supporting such a belief outside of the Fairy Tales.

"Folk" love this kind of idea because you can blame others for everything going downhill. People also have poor memories, leading to nostalgia (the idea that things were better in the past than they were).

Readings in evolution

Vince Stricherz, Seattle — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:54:37 GMT

I highly recommend Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. She examines Darwin's journals not so much for his thoughts on evolution but rather in an attempt to discern how and when during his travels he was transformed from a relatively inexperienced observer into a seasoned naturalist.

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Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:39:41 GMT

Readings in evolution

Tom Carson, Hilo, HI (2/16, 0109) wrote, “[T]here is a canon of scriptures that was written a pretty long time ago… Did the same group of guys review them to determine if they should be included in the cannon they were putting together?”
Interesting thing about the canon, people tried to put one together for centuries but failed to until money was on the line. Once there was a price and a deadline to get it the deadline was met.
--and-- “We can clearly see the evolution of animals... however, some would discount that because it conflicts with the ‘scriptures’…”
It actually doesn’t conflict with scripture, nor does the age of the earth or universe. These things only conflict with the interpretation of scripture that some hold. A legal analogy is the confusion some people have with a “threat.” In the common vernacular I could levy a “threat” to sue you for damages done. In legal terms a threat only includes illegal actions. If you park illegally and a shop owner says he will have your car towed there are plenty of people who would call the cops to have the shop owner arrested for criminal threatening.
--and-- “There very well could be a God. However, I'm sure, if there is, he's pretty disgusted with ‘Religious’ people here on earth.”
That’s my assesment.

David M. Fitzpatrick, Brewer, ME (2/16, 1115) Again, the whole interpretation thing above. If you cared to look at all past the English you feel comfortable with and see what scripture actually means you’d (quite easily) find that the earth not being “moved” means it won’t be cast out of it’s orbit. While it would be convenient for all of us, particularly those too lazy to look, if the Bible were written in more modern terms, what we have to work with is scripture written before those modern terms were even conceptualized. The immediate audience for scripture wouldn’t have even understood, in this case, an orbit. Their’s was ignorance based on a lack of technology, math, geometry, etc. When we, now, have ignorance based on sloth we call it “lazymindedness.” What shall we call those who choose to speak out on those issues where they carefully maintain ignorance?

Alan (in Dave, OK (2/16, 2130) As people we, most of us, do actually want to survive, both as individuals and as a species. For all our want to survive we never conciously alter our physiology in such a way that we would alter the gene pool, although that could be coming to a lab soon. In some circles it is clearly understood that references to a species “wanting” to survive are intended to mean that the diversity developed in a given species helps it to be more adaptable to it’s changing surrounding and therefore more apt to survive and not to mean that there is some collective intelligence in the species. But I have noted that here many people seem to think that a lifeform considers the possibilities and consequences and decides how to evolve. I’m not sure “interesting” would be my first choice, but it works.

Readings in evolution

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:41:21 GMT

"Why isnt christianity, islam or buddhism taught in schools? Because they're faiths."

Actually, you can do that...as part of a balanced, Comparitive Religions' class. Not science.

"However, the holes in the theory of evolution make it so unlikeky that it's believers have to have a "faith" in the theory. So why is this faith taught but not the others?"

Specify the 'holes,' please.

Once again, it's not a matter of 'faith,' it's a theory supported by evidence and testable predictions. (If a theory is correct, then x, y and z should be true of it and a, b and c should *not* be true of it. So one looks for supporting or refuting evidence. What religion does this?)

The only thing that science takes on 'faith' is the basic assumption that the Universe/Nature *is* understandable. And it's been a safe assumption, so far.

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Bill,Islip,NY — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:14:03 GMT

If you do not believe in evolution,why are there different races of people?Darwins theory is rejected by the church because of one sentence,we share common ancestery with apes.The rest of his observations would be accepted as an insightful view of nature.In 200 years from now will there be but one race?

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artrhur haynes cleveland, ohio — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:59:38 GMT

everyone is arguing about the existence of god, evolution, But consider the argument that the big bang theory, and read the old testament`s description of the beginnings of our universe. Remember that people back then were not as technologicaly advanced as we are today. Now consider the argument of evolution. The bible describes that we were created, life put in our bodies, and put on the earth. This is the point, everything evolves, raptors evolved into modern turkeys, so why is it so hard to accept that we, too, have physicaly evolved into what we are today. The ape is a highly intelligent species. Chimpanzees use tools to crack open nuts and fruits. I watched a program where a pack of chimpanzees killed and ate a monkey. What happened afterward, was that the chimps offered different parts of the animal to other chimps sitting in a circle. They weren`t hungry, they were negociating a heirachy of order among themselves. If you think about it, that behavior is a human trait of social order. Just think about it.

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Florida Joe, Tampa, Fl — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:36:46 GMT

Well I dont know about where it all started, but scientist witness evolution actually in our life times. Its not just a theory, we see it all the time. Its been estimated that the Amazon Rainforest has some 10 new species a "year" evolve. Most grasses and palm trees have evolved in just the last 15 thousand years since the end of the last ice age. They grasses and palm trees as well as maples and other decidious trees did not exist at the extinction of dinosaurs 60 million years ago. Plants appear to continue to evolve at very rapid rates and due to climatic changes, are accellerating their evolutionary changes.

Even humans can also influence evolution of species. All the thousands of breeds of dogs, cats and cattle over the last 200 years as breeders tip the scales of natural selection and we can witness the relatively rapid transitions evolution can take.

The real test to creationist theory will be when we discover life exists on other planets.

Readings in evolution

Dean Hardage, Clovis, NM — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:13:59 GMT

For all of the zealots out there, no one is saying Darwin was a god or tried to destroy God with science. Mr. Darwin made observations and drew conclusions that have, thus far, been borne out by the data we have been able to collect. That's science. He was an observer, a recorder, and a thinker. It's a shame that so many people want to either deify or demonize him for just looking at the world and pointing out the way it works.

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george bonnar,sydney mines nova scotia canada — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:55:17 GMT

it takes more blind belief to accept evolution than believeing in a first cause,which is in scientific law that(for an effect,there MUST be a CAUSE.Evolution is full of holes in its theories and ignorances and assumptions.Too bad doctor hugh ross,of reasons to believe org. couldnt go toe to toe with the evolutionalists,as he has SCIENTIFICALLY debunked many claims of the too haughty to believe scientists that there is indeed a intellectual orderly god,,

Readings in evolution

Dustin A, Baltimore, Maryland — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:09:38 GMT

it seems that when you find one person who seems to know what they're talking about that person is always missing one thing. we arent perfect. as far as im concerned my schools biology book, written by kenneth miller, offers it as the THEORY of evolution and give the definition of a theory so its obviously not taught as fact. And Finding Darwins God is great insight to fitting god into evolutionary theory. Sadly if you're a fundamentalist that all that can be expected... :\ word of god written by man of the time it is exactly what it is :(

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Jaycubed — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:56:11 GMT

"You said that the Old Testament says earth stands still. I have checked 4 versions of the Bible and cannot find that statement. Could you help me with the book and verse?"
Dennis Emer

I Chronicles 16:30: Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. (KJV)

I Chronicles 16:30: Tremble before him, all the earth!The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.(NIV)

I Chronicles 16:30: Tremble before Him, all the earth; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. (New American standard bible)

I Chronicles 16:30: Tremble and reverently fear before Him, all the earth's peoples; the world also shall be established, so it cannot be moved.(Amplified bible)

There are also 59 other old testament verses that describe the movement of the Sun/Heavens, implying the Earth is fixed.

And six more in the new testament.

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Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:55:54 GMT

"My biggest problem with the theory of evolution, is that is is just that...still a theory! or it would be taught and called the FACT of Evolution."

How strange that we have this sort of thing *only* where evolution is involved. I have yet to see any book on 'The FACT of Relativity,' for example. (even though it is a fact, to the ability of our ability to test it so far, which has been pretty thorough)

For the umpteenth time, the way science (and slightly different still, for mathematics) uses the word 'theory' is NOT the same way that most lay people (such as yourself) uses it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory#Science

Please look very closely at definitions 5 and 6 here:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theory

Disagree with evolution if you insist, but understand just WHAT you're disagreeing with...

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Dominic Maye, Baden-Wurttemburg Mannheim, Germany — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:39:43 GMT

I hope we could push more into fact of evolution to set the record straight once and for all.

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TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:50:50 GMT

I've read Origin of Species twice. Great book, if you're in the right frame of mind. It's not really an adventure story, but it reads like one. Darwin comes across like an excited kid trying to show people his bug collection. But OOS is not the best book from which to learn evolution. There are several good places to learn it, but the best I know of is a book by Ernst Mayr called "What Evolution Is."

OOS great book, but not the best to understand evolution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EQ63xPRDqY

Review of Mayr book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZ2w5EPKsQ

Mayr himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8H6-sKM--s

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Brenda Tucker, West Hills, CA — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:01:49 GMT

I can actually help both sides of this debate be right. I can show how the descent of man took place through the animal kingom and the ascent of man takes place by allowing a girasas kingdom to enter us.

The process of evolution is going on all the time, only the form is developed during the descent and our future form and consciousness is developed during our ascent. Please see my webpage www.homestead.com/theosophy/ascension.html or search the word girasas

Readings in evolution

Dolores Mecca Stadtmauer, Ocala, Florida — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:04:24 GMT

To Dennis Emer: I was very interested in your question to Pluto Animus. I hope you don't mind that I have the answer to your question about "The Old Testament says the earth stands still." One of the things that is going to shake the world before the coming of Christ at Armageddon is going to be "the day the earth stands still." I believe this verse is in the Old Testament Revelation 8:7, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 8:12, and Revelation 16:8. I hope this helps. How is life treating you? I hope you and yours are well. Dolores Mecca Stadtmauer

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Henry Burns, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:58:55 GMT

george bonnar,sydney mines nova scotia canada Says: "It takes more blind belief to accept evolution than believeing in a first cause,which is in scientific law that(for an effect,there MUST be a CAUSE.Evolution is full of holes in its theories and ignorances and assumptions.Too bad doctor hugh ross,of reasons to believe org. couldnt go toe to toe with the evolutionalists,as he has SCIENTIFICALLY debunked many claims of the too haughty to believe scientists that there is indeed a intellectual orderly god,,"

George, George, George...If Dr. Ross could scientifically debunk any actual aspect of Evolution, he'd win a Nobel Prize. What Dr. Ross is, is an Apologetic, which is someone who accepts the basic discoveries of science and then tries to fit orthodoxy around it. In other words, he accepts science just doesn't accept the conclusions.

Readings in evolution

Rick Leers, Niles, MI — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:26:55 GMT

I have read through all of these anti evolution posts. They all ignore DINOSAURS. They also ignore that we know for a fact that there were different forms of human living at the same time! Dinosaurs lived LONG before humans or mammels for that matter. The fact that there were dinosaurs and more than one form of humans along with the fact that creatures that live today can be found in earlier forms that evolved to what lives now is proof enough of evolution. Horses used to be such tiny little things.

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Tom Barrett — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:20:54 GMT

I'm so weary of the simplistic thinking of both the hard-core fundamentalist believers and the unbelievers. There's nothing incompatible between religious belief and evolution. Clearly not everything in the Bible is to be taken literally. The Bible was written by men who were inspired by God but not writing verbatim from God. Does it make sense that they would refer to carbon dating, the Big Bang, and natural selection to communicate with the people of the time? I'm a behavioral scientist who used to believe that you can't be intelligent and religious at the same time. I have a choice. I can believe that God created the singularity (i.e. the infinitely small point) from which all the universe expanded in the Big Bang or I can somehow attribute it to "spontaneous creation". I submit that attributing such an unimaginably awesome event to God is less far-fetched.

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Alex D, Omaha NE — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:54:00 GMT

"To all Judeo-Christian/Muslim believers: Consider carefully and thoroughly these ideas (I'll be polite, although I'm not sure you deserve that)."

Why dont we deserve politeness. Because we dont believe in your evolutionist religion with no proof to back it up? Or maybe because you were the ones indoctrinated since birth and we actually look for the truth. Evolution is the only thing calling itself science that starts with an answer (that is exists) and then tries to find evidence to prove it. Real science makes no assumptions. Real science looks at the facts then makes a hypothesis. Unlike evolution, which is just the latest fad in history for those who cant stand believing there is a God. But of course prejudice has no reason so trying to aruge with people who believe most of the world believes Christianity because we dont believe in science is kind of pointless isnt it. Those kind of people could have God appear in front of their face and they would still try to prove it away.

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James B Dickinson, Oak Harbor Wa. — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:24:06 GMT

So most clergy now accept that there is no God just a monkey. Well what that tells me is, that the gentile church has finly gotten to the same leval that the Jewish church was when Christ came the first time! They were calling themselves the Children of God when they werein fact the children of Satan! Look at the doctrines that are being preached in the churches of today, That God cannot save you so well that you will not go back into sin. in other words Satan can keep you unholy, but God in fact cannot make you holy and keep you holy! Who is Almighty? God or the Devil? If the devil can wrest you out of God's hand, then he is stronger. But He is not, so follow and serve the most High God, and He will defeat the Devil at every turn. Those who have the new Birth, are full able to live above the world and sin. But be warned the churches out there are not talking a victory way. JBD

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LadyDragoness Pottsvile pa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:10:43 GMT

Excuse me folks , everyone must remember we (as a people) are all human this time round . It doesn't matter what kind of religion people believe in . In the end we will all know the truth . Love&Light LadyDragoness

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John Morgan, Las Vegas, Nevada — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:08:32 GMT

All anybody needs to know about religion is that the supernatural exists only in the human imagination. Period.