Atheists / "Evolutionists": How many of you think...?

Question

that you are the most superior form of life?

For some insane reason, theists seem to think that those who accept evolution have the convoluted notion that they are the pinnacle of evolution, and gods unto themselves.

I think that understanding evolution helps to convey how lucky we are to exist. And that is a very humbling feeling.

How about you?

*8*

How did I contradict myself?

Judy:
I completely agree. I think most theists try to understand evolution from their p.o.v.
God -> Humans -> All other life.

When they remove god from the equation they automatically become the most superior. What they don't realize is the entire hierarchy they believe in only exists because of their religious beliefs.

Answer 1

You're completely right. I don't know a single atheist who thinks they are a superior lifeform because they are human. On the reverse, the mainstream religions, Christianity in particular are working off the assumption that the Earth exists for mankind to use and exploit as they like. This stupid irrational attitude has made things like global warming something that the powers that be gloss over. (Well, if it gets too bad god'll just fix it. Durff)

Answer 2

Oh yes, we're not at the pinnacle, that's for sure. But we are at a very interesting juncture in evolution. Until relatively recently, most of the information that passed from one generation to the next was in the genome. Today, far more information passes via written communication than via the genome. The crossing point was very recent. The acquisition of spoken language some 150,000 years ago wasn't enough. The acquisition of written language about 4000 years ago wasn't enough. The invention of the printing press by itself wasn't enough. It was only within the last hundred years that volume of written communication resulted in a higher information content than the genome.

This is all so recent than many humans haven't yet adapted to the change. This is one reason why the faith vs. reason conflict is so big. Religious people are still behaving as if spoken language from elders is still the most trusted source of information, and are failing to adapt to the rapid advance of knowledge through science.

Answer 3

There is an irony to the fact that humans have evolved the ability to reason, which in turn gives us the inclination to be concerned about whether or not we are superior to anything else.

Regardless of whether we are the superior form of life on Earth today--we might be, we might not, I don't presume that I could possibly know--it is highly unlikely that we are the final rung in our own evolutionary ladder. Someday, homo sapiens will evolve into something better, just as apes and early hominids did.

Answer 4

Not only are you right, but I think that we can say that theists are the ones who believe that humans have a king of "divine right" over the world; that we are the most significant, and important beings.

Theists out there, understand this, we are animals just like all other animals in the world. We are organisms, just like all organisms in the world.

It is the mindset of theists (that we hold importance) that has caused the quality of our own lives, as well as that of other organisms to deteriorate. Especially when considering environmental issues.

Answer 5

Bacteria are the dominant form of life. And many scientists agree with the statment "if there is a creator he seems to have an inordinate fondness for beetles" I think there are over 100,000 species of beetles. So no, humans are not "superior".

Here's the quote:

Beetles are the most diverse group of insects. Their order, Coleoptera (meaning "sheathed wing"), has more described species in it than in any other order in the animal kingdom. Forty percent of all described insect species are beetles (about 350,000 species), and new species are regularly discovered. Estimates put the total number of species, described and undescribed, at between 5 and 8 million. This is why when J. B. S. Haldane, a Scottish geneticist, was asked what his studies of nature revealed about God, he replied, "An inordinate fondness for beetles".

Answer 6

I think that understanding our evolution does make us realise how wildly improbable our existence is, and therefore makes us better people because we realise how lucky we are to be here at all. And that as the only animals to evolve this far, we owe it to all the other animals not to screw up the world, which is their world too.

I also think that to insist upon the presence of a creator god, who did it all in seven days, is to belittle the sheer wonder and majesty of life. The world is so incredibly unlikely, so stunningly complex, that to insist it was all just done in a week is embarrassing and does the world no justice at all.

Answer 7

The first sign a species is becoming sentient is when they have evolved to the point where they can abstract enough to invent a god. The first sign a species is achieving sentient maturity is when they get rid of their gods. It is not that we are superior, just more highly evolved intellectually.

Answer 8

individual who does no longer position self assurance in God. i'm answering this question as you sought to understand the that technique of cliffnote's version. that's a word which exhibits the shorter version of a lengthy tale. as an social gathering, you ask someone a question, he says, "that's a lengthy tale". then you quite say, "provide me the Cliffnote's version" that signifies that you want the guy to allow you to understand without each and every of the information. The t in my Verstion is a spelling mistakes, which I then felt extra a customized contact and it stuck. I initially fancied myself as giving in elementary words to the point solutions...which I for sure do not now.

Answer 9

Don't be silly... ; ) we are only specks in this universe that hardly even exist to it. People who seem to demand that we think one way are idiots. I feel rather small and insignificant.

You wanna know how close to nonexistence we are, then check out this page I saw the other day...very hard to grasp that we are so small... http://www.rense.com/general72/size.htm

Answer 10

I think the whole human race is the most screwed up .
You never hear of animals having wars ,sacrificing their own to appease a god ,forming hate clubs ,planning bombings , Racism among the species .Now who is screwed up ?and who is living and surviving?