Evolution and the mind?

Question

Could those of you who believe in evolution explain to me the "theory" about how conscious thought, self-awareness, emotions, and a worldwide belief in God (or gods) "evolved." Please note any laboratory tests, mathematical equations, transitional fossils, or evidence that you have to base your theory on from a completely physical, nothing-but-a-bunch-of-atoms perspective. I am truly interested in your answer, because as one of the "uneducated ones," I only have the ability to rely on my common sense. I did not have the privilege of taking those classes that taught me how to "get over" my common sense. Thank you for educating me.

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Answer 1

So far it appears to be a natural process. Chimps and dolphins both have rudimentary self-awareness akin to small children and we've found basic emotions in animals as low as dogs. I'm sure you've heard of Koko the gorilla who seemed self-directed and passionate. It's undoubted that our prehistoric ancestors had similar consciousness, with cave paintings, burying the dead with their weapons and supplies, stone monuments to the sun and constellations. It's wonderment, followed by some effort to explain, and then rituals and passing down information that's seemed to work in the past.

As you watch your children grow up you'll see a brief history of evolution. The older they get the greater their ability to understand the world around them and the more conscious they become. They realize the world doesn't revolve around them, that the face in the mirror is their own, &c.

If you want an explanation of Gods, that's easy, because it too is evolution: Animism is the first step and is still practiced today by remote tribes, then ancestor worship like the Chinese which quickly turns into pantheons dervied from legendary ancestors who now exist as archetypes such as Greek and Roman, then one supreme god like the Egyptians for a while moving on the Mithraism and Christianity, and finally the huge body of philosophy and meta-physics that don't require a singlular god, or redefine such completely from a cloud living magic alien.

Answer 2

I will never understand the reason for the fight between religion and science. There has been a war between the two since they started. The Church banned science so long ago before they could have ever possibly known what we know now. And not only did they along time ago but they succeeded in making us question science today. The Bible says that we are created in Gods' image. Why cant that and the theory of our evolution both be true? Why cant it be that God did start with us as a lesser being and not give us the ability to realize that he was there until we evolved into His image? We could have evolved from lesser beings, and when we finally began to reason is when God "showed" Himself to us. Its just one of those things where its "We are right here is why... No, we are right and here is why". Why cant everyone be right. Why does there have to be a miracle with no explanation or an explanation with no miracle? I think I asked more questions than I answered, but I think that God and science go hand and hand. This is Gods miracle and this is how his miracle happened.

Answer 3

Darwin reported that if destiny discoveries in microbiology shown the life of irreducible complexities that would desire to no longer have developed via way of gradualism or selective survival then his theory of evolution might wreck down. it rather is been found out yet ignored via academia although no longer technological awareness. The Cambrian explosion in the fossil checklist demonstrates that finished species occured with none previous examples of transitional life varieties earlier them. The scientists at Bell laboratories found out the history microwave radiation that's the cosmological footprints of a beginning of the universe. They call it the super Bang theory even though it rather is basically the singularity wherein God spoke abode/time count and power into being. The data in the DNA is the 4 letter code wherein information directs the introduction of enzymes that are the development blocks of all proteins neccessary for the form of life. information exceeded to us from previous Planck time earlier the life of the universe. Intelligence transcendent of finite life. how are you going to account on your individual thoughts of love or perhaps your individual suggestion life in the assumption of evolution? Chocolate style sturdy. So does ice cream, strawberries, pistachios and peaches. Why does evolution supply us variety of choose while one sturdy type and one risky might have sufficed to look into what's and is not any longer in basic terms remarkable to consume? God likes flavors!!!!!!! while which you will lower back up your claims with info Bozo...Ask lower back. Sorry to pay attention that your innovations is so without concern boggled

Answer 4

There is no evidence to show support for the existence of anything other than "just a bunch of atoms" composing our being.

But you aren't interested in an answer ... you've already made up your mind, as we can clearly see by your posting similar questions tonight, all clearly targetting non-theistic beliefs and challenging the nature of evolutionary process.

If you truly had "common sense" you'd have learned by now that you shouldn't simply presume a causality based on a lack of evidence proving you wrong.

Answer 5

Well, just something to get straight - evolution is the result of the scientific method. Religion is the result of common sense, like you said - gut feel, or faith. The whole point of science is that you don't assume anything until you've gathered a bunch of evidence supporting one particular position - neat, yes? I mean, sometimes loads of evidence can be misleading, but not usually, and at least this way there's evidence and reasoning to fall back on instead of just "a feeling."

Answer 6

This is not a mater of evolution. Perhaps you should take some world history classes. Strange that you think education is going to make you "get over" your common sense.

Answer 7

Here's a video for you that might help you out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2SVMKZhV2g

Answer 8

http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/

Answer 9

don't expect any answers to that question because they're aren't any....

Answer 10

“I know that the word of “Evolution” has become an obsolete and worthless word in some circles of the people___ and they do frown even on it’s simple reference.

You will however surprise to know that I, not only, respect these friends and their feelings, rather, I agree to their viewpoint, to some extent, in the light of the current knowledge. Because they apprehend “Evolution” in terms of material or mechanical evolution whereas material or mechanical evolution is far different from that of the creative evolution.

An important source of Evolution is the Nature’s process of selection. Which is originally one of the laws of nature and a secondary cause, like the other laws of nature, as it’s Creator is again God.

All the species generated by this process are again the indirect creation of God as the Nature’s process of selection, itself, is not capable to create any specie. It simply admits some species to be nourished, leaving aside the others, to be withered and this process works under some hereditary variations. So___ the survival or removal of a specific specie, is never accidental as it is presumed by the believers of material or mechanical evolution”.

This very statement of Edward Luther Castle positively removes that superstition. Which has captured, not only, the materialists but the religious leaders as well. Who are still in it’s captivity even after the lapse of so many years. Dr. George Erl Devis, the physicist, writes:

“As much as the knowledge is flourishing and the superstitions are being unveiled___ importance & inevitability of the critical study of religion & ethics___ is increasing day by day in the same scale.”

The physicist is hinting upon the urge of the “quest for truth and the specific process” which may bring forth, a suitable solution for the problems of life. Of course, we can not lead the life in a particular way unless we come to know the origin of life. What is the actual and factual truth? Only after positive cognition of the same, we can learn to lead the real life. And__ the same learning may, in turn, lead us to the aim of life.

George Erl Devis writes further:

“The surprising scientific discoveries have produced certain indispensable questions. Though not so new, but their nature has become more changed, on account of___ the receipt of detailed information about cosmic system. And___ in any case____ man can not be held as excluded thereform. Among these questions, is the most important question___ upon whose answer is depending___ our aim of life and the system of our moral values. And___ that is the same old question that:

Is there any Supreme and Sublime Source who is the Creator of whole cosmos and who could be surnamed as God?

And___ thereby arises the other question, that if God has created us then who has created God? This question is usually raised by the children, in a highly logical air.

We can not deny the fact, that science has no convincing reply of the question that God is existing or not? Rather, science can never bring forth a scientific proof thereof.

We are breathing in such a physical universe which is running smoothly in terms of the pre-ordained laws of it’s complexed system. But, it does not mean that we can ever derive some information, through this very universe, about a thing, which is existing outside to this universe. Our universe is just like a room without any doors and windows. And even if it is having the same, then, such glasses are fixed therein that to see & understand the outside thereform is totally impossible. Whereas to see inside from the outside__ is almost possible.”

As we can not prove the existence or non-existence of God on the basis of science. So it is the all-alone way for us, that whatsoever stock of information we have, about this universe. We should derive a reasonable result therefrom. Such a reasonable result___ which could never be objected on logical grounds. And such a result, duly derived from the stock of scientific information, is this:


“No material thing is capable to create it by itself”

and___ that is such a reasonable result, which is free from all sorts of logical objections. And___ through this very result we come to know about the Creator Who is Creator of all the material and immaterial things, and who is the Omnipotent.

If we presume that the universe is created accidentally or automatically. Then we will have to presume too, that the universe, itself has the power of creation. Such a presumption is, however, not maintainable on account of the scientific informations, collected so far, about the universe. So___ accidental or automatic creation of universe___ is the result___ which is totally irrational.

And where, God is being believed as the Alone Creator of universe, scientific informations are now becoming a foundation there. And science___ which is the fountain-head of the pure observational, analytical and experimental knowledge___ has reached at such a stage. That the next step whereof is not else___ but to believe in God and God’s Almighty Omnipotence. And___ that is on account of this very consensus of the universal scientific informations that:

“No material thing is capable to create it by itself”.

It is a Verse-like ray of Holy light and a great information. Proper apprehension whereof leads us, directly, to the realm of Faith.

“Universe was created accidentally or automatically” is a notion, which is not confirmed by the scientific information. So, to think like that is an irrational & illogical gesture. Which leads nowhere but to the ignorance.

Which God we should believe?

It is an important question and it is more important for the person who is desirous to know his God.

Can we consider this accidentally or automatically created universe as God? Does it create and remove everything by itself? But the scientific consensus that:

“No material thing is capable to create it by itself”

clarifies that universe was not created accidentally or automatically. Nor it is capable to create anything by itself. Nor it is given any knowledge of creation. And___ if the universe does not own any knowledge of creation___ then the knowledge of creation is definitely related to Mr. Albert Einstein’s that very Infinite & Supreme Power or Cause. Whose creative manifestations are being seen everywhere in this inapprehensible universe.

The act of knowledge, which is the process of creation in this universe___ is a magnificent sign ___ which is leading us, directly, to the Creator.

Power of knowledge and act of knowledge in terms of the process of creation___ bespeak of such a Creator who is Unique___ Who is free from the creaturely traits__ Who is far above the Nature and our state of knowledge___ Who is Supreme, Supernatural and Omnipotent. About whom we can speak in the following rational terms.

“The Creator of things is not a thing or like the created things. And as the intellect itself is a thing, so it is not considerable more than a thing of superior kind. Therefore its capability of making some image or imagination of the Creator will result to such a step, which may diminish the supreme sublimity of the Creator”.

In this way a man of intellect may believe in God on logical basis. Whereafter he will always consider his God as the Sole Creator and the Sole Guardian of universe. He will never consider his God as a part of universe or a thing in universe or the universe.

It means that God is Super-natural and Super-physical. Who is not perceivable through our senses at all.

The commonplace concept that God is a kind of matter as well as God is the Creator of matter or___ God is the universe as well as God is Super-natural & Super-physical___ is a self-contradictory and an irrational concept.

We must refrain from such concepts and resort to reality that existence of creatures is separate from the Creator and the creatures are not like the Creator at all. Because creatures live and die and they are under God’s control. It is recorded in the Scripture in the words of the Creator:

“I__ and I alone___ am God
No other god is real”
(Duet 32:39)

Worship no god but Me!
Do not make for yourselves images of anything
In heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth
Do not bow down to any idol or worship it
For I am the Lord your God and
I tolerate no rivals.
(Duet 5:7 to 9)

Hence, we must believe our God as the Supernatural and Super-physical. God is not perceivable by our senses. Nor___ God is point-able like point-able things. Nor___ the names of God’s created things should be used for God. Nor ___ we should consider God in terms of things and worship God as a thing. Of course___ we should believe God, the same way, as God has commanded us to believe. And___ God’s Commandments 9Duet 32:39 and Duet 5:7 to 9) are very much reasonable and quiet corresponding to our intellect.