Do you believe in Evolution?

Answer 1

Why does the issue of evolution and creationism have to be so cut and dry? I have NEVER understood this. Why couldn't a higher power have inspired and/or sparked life? Then, why couldn't that same being have overseen the evolution of life through the many progressive stages until the present day? Organisms DO evolve, believe it or not; we witness it in biology everyday. Take for instance a new, immune strain of bacteria or virus emerging from either the aftermath of mankind's attempts to irradiate it (via antibacterial or anti-viral medications) or a simple change in its environment. Is this not evolution? How does this happen? They are able to do so simply because DNA, which is the instruction book to ALL living organisms, can adapt. Of course, this scientific law (yes I said it) applies to humans as well, so why are we not allowed to evolve whereas other organisms can? Are we inferior to them?

Let me clarify, when cells reproduce, they make "mistakes" in reading the DNA, which spawn genetic mutations. In the case of humans, that particular genetic mutation down the line may surface as different colored eyes as the parents, perhaps a different skin complexion, perhaps even a disease. On the surface this may seem inconsequential, but it IS evolution on the smallest scale. Together then, couldn't a series of smaller, seemingly inconsequential evolutions collectively spawn a much larger diversion from the initial design? All around us, we can observe different species of cats, dogs, monkeys, fish, etc., that belong to the same family, yet are rather... different from one another, usually giving nod to environment and landscape as the reasons for change. Take for instance a grizzly bear in contrast to a polar bear: different environments, different features. What about, say, different species of dinosaurs? Or even... a primate and a human. Oops! Did I just say that? If this did not occur and if we as a species were able to reproduce PERFECTLY, meaning our offspring were genetically identical to us, the human race would crumble in its own environment. Sure, genetic diseases such as cancer wouldn't exist, but neither would an ability to change, or EVOLVE to changes in temperature, weather patterns, or landscape.

Where's the proof? Look in the mirror. The human body strikes a stark resemblance to that of a primate, both cosmetically and structurally. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we came DIRECTLY from primates, but we must have had a very similar origin. Why the need for molar teeth? Surely, if humans were conceived by God in the way that the story of Adam and Eve depicts, what need would we have for an extra set of teeth? Was the forbidden fruit just that much harder to chew? Or is there a different reason, one that hints to a dramatic change in environment? Why the need for a tail bone? In my opinion, it seems pretty useless unless there was once a TAIL attached to it. I could even reference the seemingly useless purpose the appendix serves to the contemporary human, but science is beginning to uncover a hidden meaning to it and resurrect it from its vestigial roots. Still, this does not by any means suggest it may have outlived its time, only that it has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Who knows, maybe IT has evolved. And more, observe how a baby chooses to walk soon after it is born: it crawls. Why? Because the hip bone of a baby is still open, like primates, allowing all limbs to touch the ground while keeping the body as close to parallel to the ground as possible. Only after a couple years do babies begin to walk upright. Now granted, one could make the argument that walking on two feet must be learned, for it is a complex task to an infant mind, which is why crawling is preferred during those crucial first stages of mental and physical development. Fair enough. However, studies show that walking upright is very stressful on all of the body's systems, cardiac and skeleton included. Seems to me our bodies were never designed to live life on two feet. I haven't even begun to reference behavior similarities.

In my opinion, what the religious community fails to realize is that evolution is a matter of survival, and survival lay at the root of each and every organisms' purpose; it is truly the ONLY reason to live as far as nature is concerned. Organisms reproduce to increase the overall number of that organism. Simply put, if the species is not able to propagate, then natural selection has won. How can you possibly tell me that considering the fact that we are all VERY genetically similar to each other (and I speak in regards to humans and other mammals) is a simple coincidence? How can you look at the very LINEAR progression of organisms from the first single-celled organisms, to fish, to amphibians/reptiles, to the first land-exclusive animals, all the way to humans and deny a common, hereditary origin? Why couldn't have God "programmed" evolutionary tendencies into life? Surely, if he created life, this would NOT be out of his realm.

If you think I am expressing a completely ignorant scientific viewpoint, you're wrong. I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I went through eight years of Catholic school, completed all of the sacraments through Confirmation, and still hold a very dear place for God in my life. Granted, I'm not the best practicing Catholic you may ever meet, and my mass attendance leaves little to be desired, but I never believed those were accurate indications of faith anyway. Truth be told, I pray, I believe in God, I believe in asking for forgiveness and mercy, I believe we are rewarded or punished for our deeds here on Earth, and I believe that fate does play a role in our lives.

So in closing, again I ask, why must this issue be so black and white? I'll tell you why, because the notion of evolution would shake the foundations of everything that the church stands for. Now I know, Darwin retracted his theory on his deathbed, and perhaps he really did doubt himself and his prior accusations, but this doesn't mean evolution doesn't exist. Maybe Darwin’s evidence DID amount to NOTHING for argument's sake, but modern-day science sure can hold its own. The Bible, albeit a great book, is a book of stories (at least most of it), nothing more. Divinely inspired stories, you ask? Maybe, but stories nonetheless; I have had a Pastor's wife, a woman of God herself, agree with me on this note. I believe it is the moral of the Bible's stories that carries the most weight, just like an ancient fable. The point is, the church and those who devoutly follow it are against evolution because it is a threat; a very, very, very crippling threat. So, the church does does as any organism would do, they fight back. But, who am I to blame them for fighting, for it is only a matter of survival after all.

Answer 2

There is no way to believe or disbelieve evolution. It is a scientific theory. One definition of theory is "An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture." I chose this definition, which is legitimate, because it fits my purpose. You may chose evolution for the same reason. The theory of evolution is not a religion and is not a proper noun, thus it does not need to be spelled with a capital letter as you have done in you question.

Answer 3

Evolution is a Theory made up by Darwin. I'd rather believe in a Creator than the Universing Existing out of nothingness. Plus there are tons of Missing Links in the Fossil records that still have not been found. and if they are some of them are Entire animals being made from just one Piece of Fossil and computer animation untill they get what they want it to look like.

Answer 4

Evolution, referring to life in general, is a fact, not a theory. It happened, is happening, and will continue to happen. So yes.

Do I believe in human evolution?...us evolving from simpler life forms? Absolutely. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.

Do I believe evolution alone could explain our origins? Yes, I do, though I do not close my mind to other possibilities.

Answer 5

Yes, although I believe that a higher force created life with the capability to evolve in a changing environment. If life was unable to evolve, I don't think life could exist on this planet. Retiles don't live in snow and could not have survived the ice age. Wooly mammoths don't live in deserts and couldn't live in our warmer environment.

What I don't understand is why it has to be one or the other - either creation or evolution. Why can't it be both?

Answer 6

Evolution is something that many a person believes in. Me not being one of them.

Answer 7

Yes, of course I believe in evolution, But evolution has nothing what so-ever to do with creationism. All things that are on the planet now have evolved to some degree. But that does not mean that mankind came from monkeys, any more than dogs evolved from sharks. Monkeys and squirrels look alike, Horses and antelope look alike. Sharks and dolphins look alike. But none of them are related, any more than humans and monkeys are related. We just have some similarities, like many other species do. If you do not believe in GOD, then you believe in NOTHING. If you do not stand for SOMETHING, then you stand for NOTHING.

Answer 8

only in evolution ,even there is not a very intelligent explanation about the disappearance of all the dinosaurs in the same times all over the world

Answer 9

Of course. It's testable, falsifiable, and supported by mountains of scientific evidence.

Those that believe in creationism or "the theory of intelligent design", are choosing to do so based on what they would like to believe. This isn't how science, or a logical mind works.

Answer 10

it's a scientific theory - open to the current data of scientists - just like the scientific theory that earth revolves around the sun. check out the latest Nat'l Geographic article that explains the theory of evolution.

Answer 11

Do you believe that any living entity can will itself superior, some bug in the mud30 million years ago thinking, "Boy, if I had a spike with some sticky goo on it growing out of my eye, I'd be able to catch something to eat and, at long last, out- live my brother bug and inherit the earth, all I have to do is lay here in the mud and wait for it to happen" (Sounds of hand-wringing, and grunting.if it can at this point)...If that were true we would all have both sex organs by now