Though the creationist denies evolution, he can very seldom refute the evidence for it. [Spirituality & Religion]
If you deny evolution, how do you refute the evidence we have for it in the for of fossils and genetics? Is your denial based on the evidence or is it based on a pre-existing world view?
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Evolution isn't exactly the easiest of subject to follow. The problem with refuting evolution is, there are scientists on both sides of the fence. There are those who support it and those who refute it, and there is evidence on both sides. It comes down to what one believes, nothing more, nothing less. Thats why I decided not to refute evolution based on my previous response and the scientific evidence against it. Evolution is too widespread with differing opinions.
[quote] There are those who support it and those who refute it[/quote]
Sorry, but i won't allow you to perpetuate false representation that there is a balance of evidence here. There is an overwhelming majority supporting evolution and a scattered few who outright oppose it.
In the same way that you can find one or two doctors who will attest that homeopathy can cure cancer while the vast majority will denounce it.
While there exists debate on exactly HOW evolution occurs, there is no academic disagreement on the fact that it DOES.
So if you want to refute evolution, you have to refute the evidence. That's where deniers seem to fall down and i think that is rather telling.
@Pikachu Thats cool lol. It would be foolish for me to try to disprove something I don't believe in anyhow. It would be a waste of time for both of us.
[quote] It would be foolish for me to try to disprove something I don't believe in anyhow[/quote]
What not really. If you thought the evidence for evolution was bad then you would be right to refute it. It's important to believe true things and discredit false things.
@Pikachu well lol. I suppose we shall see what you are talking about evolving. When I see evolution and creationists in the same sentence it takes me immediately to human evolution. I believe in evolution of animals entirely, but human beings I do not. We obviously get smarter and in some cases get dumber lol but I dont believe we evolved from a specie of monkey or ape. Meaning I don't believe our image has changed over time.
What do you make of the presence of retroviral genetics in the human genome in the same place that they occur in apes? What do you make of human chromosome 2 which is a pair of fused ape chromosomes? What do you make of the fact that our spine is essentially that of a quadruped ape stood on end, which is why we have so many back problems? What do you make of the other human species like neanderthal?
[quote] I really don't make anything out of any of it[/quote]
Am i correct in assuming that by this you mean that you are not familiar with those evidences for human evolution? I'm happy to go into more detail.
[quote]. Why do apes still exist in their natural specie if we are supposed to have evolved from them?[/quote]
Happy to explain:
First, humans are apes. We are a member of the great apes. That's just taxonomy, don't worry about it. So what you're asking is if we evolved from [i]other[/i] apes, why do there still exist apes like chimpanzees and gorillas? Well humans didn't evolve from chimpanzees or gorillas, we [i]all[/i] evolved from a common ancestor which no longer exists.
@Pikachu This is a little out of my league. I can see being relative to the neanderthal though. Obviously different climates, sustainable foods etc would all take a toll on a human life. It was definitely different to the comforts we live in now. My knowledge isn't vast enough on the subject to really have an intellectual in depth discussion.
I genuinely mean no offense by this, but considering you asked me in all sincerity the classic "if we evolved from apes, why are there still apes" question, i would agree that you have some learning to do on this subject.
[quote]My knowledge isn't vast enough on the subject to really have an intellectual in depth discussion[quote][/quote][/quote]
Then with all due respect, i suggest you become acquainted with the evidence before you declare that you don't believe humans evolved.
@Pikachu Things with evolution has changed a lot compared to what I remember being taught in school. I don't recall it being explained that we evolved from an ancestor that no longer exists. 🤔 granted that was 20-25 years ago.
lol well that's science for you. It marches on and we have to keep up.
But for real. If you have a genuine interest in knowing the evidence and not just reinforcing what you already believe, i'm happy to go into a little more detail, layman though i am.
@Pikachu I'm goong to try looking into it from a different perspective. I will evaluate it from the view of wanting to see what its about vs looking for discredible evidence. Attempting to remove any pre conceived or 20-25 yr old ideas that are still lingering.
Well that's very honest of you and i'm impressed that you're willing to that.
I'd suggest http://www.talkorigins.org/ as an excellent resource. It can get a bit technical in some places but at the very least it can serve as a starting point for further google searches. The FAQ is probably a good place to start.
@Pikachu there's things taught that was taught so much, that it was very difficult removing it from my mind, and establishing a true biblical basis for it.
I totally get it. Our early upbringing and education is incredibly potent and very hard to move past. I'm thankful that my parents neither pushed no disparaged religion. I think it's left me as one of the lucky ones who's genuinely had the chance to make up their own mind.
@Pikachu it was the same for me. My parents weren't religious in any way but also didn't discourage it. It was my choice to attend church. Some of the stuff taught is out if this world.
I think a lot of good can come from religion. I just think it's wrong when it leads us to believe things which are contradicted by evidence in the world around us.
