Darwin? (UK answers preferably?)?

Question

I don't agree with the theory of evolution. It cannot explain a lot, like how random processes created the incredibly complex human brain, or how a lizard developed feathers when the evolutionary process causes the loss of information and not the addition of it.
Should it then be promoted as fact when it is a hypothesis only, and does the school system place too much emphasis on it in place of traditionalist and religious views such as Intelligent Design and Creationism?

Yes, I support Creationism, as you've probably guessed.
I have also never read The Origin Of Species- I know some of its principles though. I had evolution rammed down my neck at school, and now hate it.

Answer 1

It is not promoted as "fact" but as a theory (and not a hypothesis).

Intelligent Design and Creationism, however, are not even theories--they are religious beliefs, and therefore have no place in a school system, and certainly no place in the science curriculum.

And for angk....Darwin would certainly not have approved of Intelligent Design, since he himself was initially taught--and believed in--the concept of "Divine Design" (which was his era's version of ID) and ended up rejecting it totally based on his observtions that eventually led to The Origin of Species.
(not intended as a dig at you, btw--I've read some of your other answers and I have a lot of respect for your views)

Answer 2

Yes, whenever I find something I cannot explain or gaps to my frame of referenceI think of magic. I usually place my rubbish out before I go to work on a Wednesday and I find the bins are emptied when I get back. I have tried to find several explanations to this problem without success that fit all the criteria so I have found that the most logical conclusion is MAGIC, which is just as valid as any scientific belief. Yes, it fits every hypothesis and no one can ever refute my explanation of this phenomenon using a logical argument. So, whenever I find something I cannot explain such as the law of thermodynamics or why aircraft stay in the sky, I often say it is the magic invisible pixies that are doing it and no one can refute my claims.

You can try this experiment at home take a closed system such as flies in a glass case or bacteria on a petri dish and apply some form of stress to the system or change the environment. You will find that within a few generations the species within the system have undergone quite complex changes to adapt better to the change in their environment, I always put this down to magic as this is the only logical explanation.

Answer 3

I was fortunate enough to attend a church school where the Biology staff were comfortable with a view of creation as having taken somewhat longer than seven days (I am particularly puzzled by how one can speak in terms of literal days before light was even invented!) under the watchful eye of a loving Creator. Darwin was not a threat, simply a scientist who had enjoyed wonderful opportunities to study life in several continents and who had come to certain plausible conclusions. This, to me, is a healthy balance. Looking back, I value more and more the fact that our faith was taken for granted and was the background for every aspect of our lives, whether overtly mentioned or not.
Secular schools skirt over certain obvious problems. I quote Professor Stephen Hawking: "The time scale of the universe is very long compared to that for human life. It was therefore not surprising that until recently, the universe was thought to be essentially static, and unchanging in time. On the other hand, it must have been obvious, that society is evolving in culture and technology. This indicates that the present phase of human history can not have been going for more than a few thousand years. Otherwise, we would be more advanced than we are. It was therefore natural to believe that the human race, and maybe the whole universe, had a beginning in the fairly recent past. However, many people were unhappy with the idea that the universe had a beginning, because it seemed to imply the existence of a supernatural being who created the universe. They preferred to believe that the universe, and the human race, had existed forever. Their explanation for human progress was that there had been periodic floods, or other natural disasters, which repeatedly set back the human race to a primitive state." Here is a scientist arguing in favour of a beginning to the universe (creation out of a dark void, as Genesis says) and the arrival on the scene of mankind much, much later on in time. Professor Hawking also accepts an end to this universe (cf. Revelation) This seems to fit in with Biblical teaching.

The fact is that those teaching in our schools are to a large extent acting under instructions and do not enjoy the freedom to express enlightened views in the classroom.

Answer 4

The suggestion that Creationism should be taught in schools is an unfeasbly dangerous proposition. In a second it stamps upon centuries of advances made by mankind in the pursuit of learning based on empirical evidence, empirical experience and logical reasoning. All because some parents in a midwestern US backwater thought their children should be spoon fed the same quasi-scientific myths they were raised on.

There are certain gaps in evolutionary thought BUT this does not (as no doubt may people posting on this question will assume) that God is the only viable alternative. There is exactly, i mean EXACTLY the same possibility that the universe was started by a fart from an errant alien being from a parrallel dimension as there was that it was started by God. The attributed sayings and actions of someone 5000, 2000, 1400 (take your pick abrahamic religions) years ago before the advent of scientific investigation in no way WHATSOEVER proves that it was God.

However as a final point i think you've misunderstood evolutionary theory and I quote you;

'Evolutionary process (sic) causes the loss of information not the addition of it'

In fact the opposite is true. Evolution is when a random genetic mutation occurs (for hypothetical example the growth of feathers on a certain lizard) and this mutation then leads that creature to be more successful. He flys so eats more and is stronger and breads with more females, passing on his bizzare addition of feathers. Over the course of thousands of years the lizards without feathers are out-competed for food and reproduction by their faster stronger flying cousins and die out. The species has then evolved.

Answer 5

Really, nobody cares whether you love or hate darwinism. Love and hate don't enter into it! What matters is true of false.

Darwin's theory of evolution is now effectively proved. In additiion, even a non-scientist like yourself should be able to see (or read about) the vast body of evidence in its favour. Creationism on the other hand, has no evidence at all in its favour. It relies solely on an unidentifiable and unknown (mythical) super being which nobody has ever seen or communicated with.
Science is prepared to study that which it does not understand in order to prove or disprove something. Creationism is belief in something simply because somebody has told someone else to.

as far as development of the complex is concerned - evolution has been progressing for some 200 million years - time enough to develop almost anything (except a god).

Answer 6

Evolution is a scientific theory, and should be thought as such. Creationism and ‘intelligent’ design are nothing more than the irrational, unscientific views of sects, attempting to explain the world according to the dogma of a specific faith, and as such, should have no place in British state schools. Why should a school teach the belief system of any faith? If parents want their kids indoctrinated, they should do it themselves, with the support of their mosque, temple, church, meetinghouse or coven.

Answer 7

You may be the best example of why non-theists get frustrated with the ridiculous attempt of Christians esepcially to rubbish evolution.

An argument that consists of 'i dont belive it because i dont want to' if purile - go and get some information - evolution exists - it can be demonstrated today - are all things the static? - is there any change in species? I can show you physical evidence that change - evolution exists. Fact. The theory of natural selection is a model that attempts to explain how that evolution takes place. It is, like every other theory, being developed but most people who have read it (origin of species) would agree that if not like your bible (ie perfect - now thats a funny statement) it is a damn good attempt.

By the way if I prove that the bible is inconsistent can I have it scrapped?

Answer 8

'fassa' will not consider this reply as a 'Best Answer' because it is not what she wants to hear, and for the same reason that many still cling to pseudo-scientific nonsense such as Intelligent Design.
Those who promote Intelligent Design do not understand what they are talking about. They lack scientific understanding and may not be capable of comprehending the concepts - they are very slightly 'thick'. They are blundering about with ideas that rank alongside the 'flat earth theory' and the assertion that the earth is the centre of the solar system. They are in denial - just as the Church was at the time of Copernicus and more recently when Darwin proposed his theory (it is NOT a hypothesis).
Schools should boot out these "...traditionalist and religious views". They create muddled, inaccurate and bigoted thinking.

If 'fassa' has the wit to understand the science she should have a look here:
http://www.talkorigins.org/
http://www.pandasthumb.org/
http://www.lifeevolving.org/

Answer 9

I am afraid it can explain a lot. I am a christian, but still believe in evolution. I believe that both points of views should be taught in school.

Read Richard Dawkins. Although he is a militant atheist, and many of his arguments are pathetic, he explains the concepts of evolution very clearly, and how complex structures such as the eye evolved.

Answer 10

You are against a theory, when you haven't even read one of the main books regarding evolution. So, you hate it based on ignorance and haven't even got any information to back it up!
It has never been promoted as fact, but if it is a choice between religion or evolution being presented as such, then evolution makes more sense with more evidence and less hear say!

Answer 11

The amazing thing is that Darwin was correct but not in the way he thought. Evolution within a species is truth. Evolution of one species to another is not.

So don't rule out evolution. It does actually work well with creation. And creation complements it. In the right context and with the right understanding.