Explain the Theory of Evolution.?

Question

I understand it. I think most Atheists do, as most of them use science as one of their most prominent sources of knowledge about the world.

But, we keep seeing misrepresentations when it is explained by believers.

Therefore, I would like to see some posts (especially by believers), not trying to refute the theory, but *defining* the theory. As in, "when biologists talk about evolution, what are they referring to?" Please include any and all mechanistic explanations of the various steps that you are aware of.

I'm sure many believers understand the theory. They just don't seem to post against their fellows who are misrepresenting the theory; to not speak up is to support a straw man attack.

EDIT:
I'm being entirely misunderstood. This has nothing to do with my own Atheism; I don't need evolution to be an Atheist. Anybody who feels that they must is an idiot beyond measure. It's also not about proving evolution happened.

What I wanted to see (re-read my post) was whether or not believers even understood the theory that they criticize.

Answer 1

They're incapable of understanding my teachings even if they read my books twice. I'm warning you my child, this request of yours will not be replied to to the level where they will meet your high and optimistic expectations.

Bless you my child, and don't worry, Only the infidels know the truth and the Fools will burn in the pits of ignorance.

Answer 2

Quite frankly, I doubt if many of us (including myself) have the scientific knowledge to accurately define the steps of evolution that make up the theory. Even atheists, unless particularly knowledgable in the biological sciences do not fully understand what it means. What is taught in high schools and even in general college courses is brief at best and does not go into all of the genetic, chemical and other changes that would have had to occur naturally to make evolution a possibility. And, if you don't know the whole story...and fully understand the science behind the science, it should not be used as an argument against religious beliefs for your opinions would be grounded in nothing but your own opinion. (i.e. faith that the person writing what you do have knowledge of has written the truth) This is the same argument that is used against religious belief..i.e faith that someone else wrote the truth.

Even those people who have great scientific knowledge admit that not all of what the theory of evolution teaches can be proven...or in some cases, they have actually said at least some portion of it is not likely to have occurred in a particular way. This argument between people of faith and people of no faith has gone on since the Scopes trial...and it will no doubt go on for as long as there are two sides to the issue. I for one choose not to use it as the basis for my own personal thoughts on the matter any more than I will exclusively use the Christian Bible as the basis for my faith in my Creator.

Answer 3

Evolution is the changing percentage of alleles in a population.

This can go from 0% to some trivial amount, in the case where a gene mutates into a new form, or from some amount to 0% in the case where an extinction or bottleneck event occurs, or changing anywhere within that range.

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Agu:

No, you don't understand it. What you just described is abiogenesis and has nothing at all to do with evolution.

Evolution requires life to already exist in some form, no matter how limited. Without life, nothing can evolve. So the process of forming life must occur PRIOR to the initiation of evolution.

Answer 4

Revelation versus science; reveal and observed. God reveals, man observes. Atheist (without God) simply do not believe the revelation.

The moment an atheist tries to "prove" something, he is using the scientific method on belief. There is no science for belief.

Now to your question regarding the scientific theory of evolution that explain observable facts. Evolution or any other scientific theory explain facts (observations by people independent of location.) There are no God fact. And science can not answer anything without facts.

I have given you a link that will add insight about science, specifically biology, focusing on evolution. I hope you find it fun.

Answer: God reveals; man observe. Evolution is a scientific theory (bound by the scientific method) that explains man's observation. When encountering non believers, just move on.

Answer 5

Part of the problem is that there are several different types of evolution that must take place in order for "evolution" to occur.

Some of them include cosmic evolution, chemical evolution, and then human/animal evolution.

There are at least five different types of evolution -- so I think it is important that we define which type of "evolution" we are discussing before we begin a conversation.

I have written a blog about chemical evolution which you can find here:
http://www.james-gilchrist.com/evolution/creating-life-from-chemicals-what-they-forgot-to-tell-you/

Hopefully I'll get around to some of the other forms in the coming weeks. Hope that helps. :O)

Answer 6

Oh gosh, when you test me, I totally forget my genetics section of biology. I would remember if I saw it. Anyways to sum it up, there are slight differences in genes that can be inherited and passed on to subsequent generations. If a different trait is helpful, it may help the organism survive better relative to other species, which will increase its chances of reproducing and passing on those "helpful" genes. Enough change over time will make it impossible for different species to have fertile offspring. I know I just abbreviated it to the extreme and there is sooo much more to cover about how the process of the DNA making slight errors, population changes, genetic drift, and crap like that, but that is the gist of the theory.

Answer 7

the theory of evolution can best be explained through the theory of natural selection. say you have a group of insects, and you spray them with a poison to kill them. at first the poison is very effective, since most of the insects were vulnerable and died. but there were still some that had it in their genes that protected them from the this poison. so it were these insects that kept on reproducing, until the entire population had evolvled to be immune to the poison (all were desecendets of the first immune insects). it is a common misbelief that if an organism needs a trait in order to survive, it will pass down the trait to its offspring. this is wrong, since it is impossible for genes to just appear just because of a need.

Answer 8

why would i care about it. i believe in God. however not sure about the whole evolution theory but saying we came from apes. and that earth was started by the big bang theory. i also know many times they change there story or lie and manipulate facts. as in saying an ape is half man and half ape but then the truth comes out and it is bones that were put together from both humans and apes to make one.

as far as the rest i believe evolution states how we evolved to something better. that we once had a tail and lost it because we did not need it. however there are many animals still today that have tails that dont need them. and us humans if we had a tail probally could still use it today. i know i could use a tail. specially if we all had one then no one would make fun. just to many holes first. and second i already know God is real and he has shown me more then enough.

Answer 9

It's a little difficult to explain in a forum like this. Here's a site that's easy to read, and gives you all the basic information you need to know. Excellent site.
http://www.talkorigins.org/

Answer 10

Evolution is the theory by which life emerged from simple organic elements presumably without the guidance of a supernatural creator. I understand the theory, I just refuse to believe it. I think it is an excuse for atheist to fool themselves, and others into believing that their is no higher power, and therefore, no need to submit themselves to anything.