Quote:
Originally Posted by AKA_Monet
One, I need to understand why you think the theories are "shaky"? There was a discussion on GC ~1-2 years ago regarding this very issue.
People can believe what they want. But Christian theories cannot be tested by the scientific method. Whereas, evolution can be successfully tested and the tests are repeatable [sp?].
Origin of the species occurs by "natural selection" that is controled by several mechanisms: one being mutation. The rate of mutation occuring in the entire human genome occurs 1 per 1000 centiMorgan (cM)--which is 1 megabases of DNA, the genetic material. In a given population, as designated by geography, the variations within the genome in some areas are similar and others are diverse. The more diverse, the older the population based on Bayesian statistics and population genetics.
Christians that choose to have these strong beliefs are fine. However, they cannot be angry at those who know and think scientifically when their strong beliefs are debunked by strong data and mathematics.
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I think some Christians are angry, just at the proposition of advocating the theory. These people frustrate me. However, I think a substantial portion of the population simply dislikes the attitude of the modern scientific community. History has shown, and will continue to show, that science itself is evolutionary. I think this warrants a bit of caution when proclaiming truth. I'm not saying the theories are going to be entirely different a century from now, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to find that they've been augmented to a level making some current factual assertions look foolish. Religion aside, I know a lot of people with logic-based reasoning that have trouble getting their mind around currently advocated origin theories. I'm one of them. Thus, it gets a bit annoying to have a community saying "you're a %#$@!^% idiot if you question this." I guess I'm just reluctant, in almost any matter, to assert that "we know" something, especially in such a haughty manner.
I personally believe in evolution, at least on some levels. I'm not a science-oriented person, so I don't really have overwhelming faith that I'll ever get a grip on the information at a level sufficient to make informed decisions for myself. As a Christian, I believe in some form of creation as well, but I wouldn't have a problem if the modern theories were spot on. I'm certainly not a person who has a problem with teachers explaining evolution and the theories involved in the classroom. I don't even care if ID or Creationism or whatever isn't taught beside it, though I do think it should be mentioned that there is some opposition. As I said, my biggest concern is the hostility towards those who question or believe differently. I know you said Christians can believe what they want, but that doesn't mean people will let them do so without affront. Hell, the candidates reluctant to raise their hand at the GOP debate got absolutely slaughtered in the media (I also haven't seen similar questions asked to democrats). This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Does it really make a difference? Does a reluctance to believe fully in evolution make an otherwise intelligent person unfit for leadership?
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