Is it possible God created life, and then it evolved?

Question

Sorry I'm asking so many evolution questions, I am sort of obsessed with the topic right now.

Answer 1

If by "possible" you mean that it can not be definitively proven to be wrong, then yes. But, by that same standard, it's "possible" that super-intelligent extraterrestrials came to earth a long time ago and got life started here on earth. Or, it's "possible" that we aren't really alive but an intelligent piece of software running a simulation inside a computer more advanced than any IBM product imaginable.

These non-falsifiable conjectures illustrate why the application of the scientific method is such an effective tool to understanding the universe. I can make any claim that I want if the reason behind the claim is magic. But just because I can't disprove it, (impossible to do because of the nature of the claim) doesn't make it true.

If you really want to become a biologist, then you need to learn some critical thinking skills because biologist try to figure out new, unknown facets of how life works. To do that you have to know why you accept one model over another. You have to be able to evaluate the evidence for one proposed mechanism over another. Just because your parents told you so doesn't make it a good enough reason to discount all of modern science.

Answer 2

The short answer:

There are many people who share that belief, or similarly believe that evolution was the means by which God created what we see. But these are just personal beliefs. Evolution doesn't say one thing or another about deities.

The long answer:

This is a question better suited for religion or philosophy, not science. Science only deals with the scientific method, where things are well-defined and hypotheses are tested against using controlled experiments. "God" is a PERSONAL belief whose definition can vary from person to person, so the concept doesn't lend itself to science.

Trying to use science to prove or disprove God (or, much worse and seen much more often: trying to use religious dogma to dictate the results of science) is as ridiculous as using a mathematics equation to prove a criminal guilty in a court room, and using a jury to decide whether or not 27 is an odd number.

Answer 3

> Is it possible God created life, and then it evolved?
That's the Intelligent Design take on the situation. Read more about that in Michael Behe's "Darwin's Black Box."

We have no way of disproving the involvement of a god or gods. On the other hand, we have no direct evidence for the involvement of a god or gods or Intelligent Designers -- and this is true in the fossil record as well as the present day. If there was Intelligent Designer intervention, we don't know when it occurred, nor what was done at those times.

Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory, it's speculation. Future Biologist, you should probably wait 'til after you get your tenure before publicly embracing Intelligent Design (if then). Google around for Michael Behe.

Answer 4

Hi from France The life evolved just because all the natural conditions ( oxygen, water, atmosphere ) were there for that happens ! Simple ... The proof that all these stories and tales about religions, gods and holy books are fake, is that each ethnicity throughout the world created its own god. That is why there are many gods and religions.. Of course, each ethnicity says : '' My god is the true one ! My god is the true one ! '' .. So silly ! And think we are in 2010 !! People need to think by themselves, not across some fake things, we have a brain and a personality, right ? Have a nice sunday, Cat.

Answer 5

Sure, why not? Religion is faith-based; you can believe whatever you wish to believe. Once you believe that God exists, anything is open. Why should God be restricted by the beliefs of those who feel reason is inimical to faith? Evolutionary theory is, in my considered opinion, the best explanation for the diversity of life and for the modification of life over time. In my considered opinion, evolutionary theory doesn't and can't say much about the origins of life because the evidence is so scanty. Perhaps that will change in the future. Regardless, why is it impossible to view God as capable of creating a Universe that runs by certain rules? Why must faith and science be incompatible? The human insistance on the ineffable rightness of one's own personal beliefs doesn't make those beliefs correct; doesn't matter if it's Religion A vs. Religion B or Science vs. Religion.

Answer 6

Well telling you the true, you are not being a good scientist because you are subjective.

I don't wanna sound like an anti-christ, but do we have proof that God exists?

Avoiding that question my answer to yours would be yes! You can also picture it in another way...God gave the evolution of life and its subsequent evolution the chance to happen!

The debate is endless...and everything could be possible...but scientist work on proofs and facts. Scientists in the 60's (i think) were able to synthesis organic molecules (the first molecules of life) by recreating the atmospheric conditions of 3.9Mya and passing lightning through it.

You could interpret it that God allowed the creation of life!

Answer 7

So, If you need an entity as God to have created things, then sure a God started life here. Why not? If you believe that in your heart then yes it's true. As long as you've got the evolution part, who cares who or why it got started. Maybe "God" was an alien civilization and earth is an experiment . BTW: I am not an atheist by the way. how could I not believe in something that doesn't exist to begin with!

Answer 8

Obsessed with evolution is good. That is how dedicated scientists work things out. It isn't through inspiration, but through obsessive examination of evidence and study.

Just for your interest, here is the official Catholic viewpoint on Evolution and their views on Intelligent Design. It is a cut-and-paste. I must admit, it is not my view, per se, but such a viewpoint is popular, and does not restrict study of evolution. And it may allow you to feel more comfortable about becoming a biologist and remaining Christian. As I have said in previous answers to you, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

A 2006 article in the Vatican newspaper states that “Intelligent design is not science and should not be taught as a scientific theory in schools alongside Darwinian evolution.” The Catholic Answers website has an article that states:

"Concerning biological evolution, the Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. However, it says that, if they did develop, then they did so under the impetus and guidance of God, and their ultimate creation must be ascribed to him.
"Concerning human evolution, the Church has a more definite teaching. It allows for the possibility that man’s body developed from previous biological forms, under God’s guidance, but it insists on the special creation of his soul.
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Answer 9

God & Religion are based on faith. Faith does not need facts or proofs. From there, religious topics dont belong to any RATIONAL discussion. Evolution is not based on faith, it is based on experiments, observations, and proofs.
Evolution is not ''ONLY'' a theory, as it used in common language. A theory, within the scientific community, is a law that has not been proven wrong. There is the atomic theory, the cell theory, and the evolution theory. Natural facts that cannot be proven wrong. Evolution fits everything from medicine to zoology, and it is not likely to be proven false because it is mathematical logical.

Answer 10

I am afraid that you are quite confused about this. If god had made life, then what need for evolution? If you want to believe in god, do not give him a job desciption that can not be supported by the evidence. While the scientific theories are well supported.