What say you all?

Question

In an uncomplimentary sense, evolution would have you exist as a mere link in an endless chain, with bigger and more glorious apes yet to rise from the seed of your seed of your seed, ad infinitum. In this context, the best life you can hope for here is to live again, and a little better, through them, as expressed by the aphorism: "Your children are your future." But if we shall one day be they, who are we now?
We can have no special human identity as the "image and likeness of God'" for the spirit of ancient monkeys is perpetuating itself in us. How preposterous, utterly ridiculous and if you don't mind me saying outrightly stupid !

Do you still believe in it, after all that's been said ?
What say you all?

Evolution - the animal's world, yes; Human - no! It's called "Devolution" , a devolving evolution if you like.

What say you all?

Answer 1

They know the truth about evolution, they choose to profess the lie.

Answer 2

I am a scientist, among other things. In my own way I also believe in creation, although I'm not at all convinced the description of who did it and how at all resembles the description put forward by the biblical Creationists. I view science as the close study of the details of the creator's work and the rules the creator chooses to abide by, since the work itself is so vast and complex as to be beyond our comprehension.
I keep having the nagging feeling that we are still in the design phase and 15 seconds away from the moment the creator says, "let there be light." This would explain a great many things that seem raw and unfinished in the universe, as well as any other explanation I know does. What kind of religious group that puts me in I don't know, although I am sure my fundamentalist friends would say I'm going to hell for not believing that their version of the book is the one and only explanation.
Written by men, translated by men, and printed by men. It would truly be a miracle if it were accurate much less a complete explanation of the universe. More questions for Saint Peter.
If there is such a thing as free will and we are to be judged by what we do, then all we can do is try to do what is right with our limited minds when living in an infinitely complex universe.

Answer 3

"evolution would have you exist as a mere link in an endless chain, with bigger and more glorious apes yet to rise from the seed of your seed of your seed, ad infinitum."

That's what it's all about.

"In this context, the best life you can hope for here is to live again, and a little better, through them"

No, the best life I can hope for is to live THIS life to the fullest.

"We can have no special human identity as the "image and likeness of God'" for the spirit of ancient monkeys is perpetuating itself in us."

If the spirit of ancient monkeys is 'perpetuating' itself, so what? They (well, actually chimpanzee-like homonids) ARE our ancestors, so we're just being in touch with our roots. Better than being made in the likeness of the insane Old Testament Jehovah who gets his jollies out of brutalizing his creatures.

"How preposterous, utterly ridiculous and if you don't mind me saying outrightly stupid !"

That's EXACTLY how I feel about Cretinism.

"Do you still believe in it, after all that's been said ?"

You betcha.

"What say you all?"

What's with repeating 'what say you all' about a dozen times this evening? Are you trying to establish a catchphrase or does the metal plate in your head need re-adjustment?

Answer 4

And this is where you fall victim to your own ego.

Humans are just a mere link in an endless chain. Eventually, the human race will evolve to another stage, and all that will be left of the current one is fossils and dust (our DNA may live on in our ancestors, but I'm speaking of our own physical bodies here). We, as a species, are no more special or important to the whole of nature, than a computer is to an ant.

The very claim that man is created in god's own image is vanity at best, and egomaniacal at worst. If the biblical account is to be believed, why were humans, out of all creation, the only thing to be made in gods image. Our imperfections are explained away by the faithful as a result of the free-will (and lack of knowledge) given by the 'creator'. Man's own limited and primitive imagination required him to create gods in our image.

The very concept of 'the spirit of ancient monkeys' is laughable. Spirit (or the soul if you will) is a human construct, created to go hand in hand with the concept of gods (explaining the unexplainable).

"How preposterous, utterly ridiculous and if you don't mind me saying outrightly stupid !" If you're content to live with your head in the sand, ignoring that which has been proven time and again, that's up to you. The facts remain what they are, and your emotional response towards them is, quite frankly, irrelevant (and yes, the facts all equate to evolution, in regards to human development as a species).

These facts will remain, regardless of whether or not you (and the rest of the creationist camp) accept them or not. Superstition, tradition, and belief in that which isn't verified (the god concept), do not equal truth.

EDIT: Your additional details give away more of the ego that you suffer. Humans are, at their very core, nothing more than animals. Our self-awareness and cognitive abilities are what set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. We are not above it, we are a part of it. If you strip away the veneer of civility, you will find that we give into our most basic of animal instincts: breed, feed, sleep, and survive. Civilization is what has created weakness in the species, in regards to surviving in nature.

Answer 5

The whole point of Life and especially intelligent Life is to create meaning. I don't particularly mind being an upgraded ape, although it is kind of cool to think that the next upgrade will be better.

Doing what I can to give those who come after a leg up, and those I share the world with now a bit of comfort, support and wisdom is purpose enough for me.

But, that's just me. If it takes a Holy Book and an institution to make your life meaningful, go for it. Just don't feel the need to punish others for following a different guide.

Answer 6

I say that arguing against science on a feeble emotional argument is the closest a Creationist can ever get to the truth. You reject the facts for purely emotional reasons, and then call it uncomplimentary to think of humans as ascendant. The intrinsic hatred and ignorance built into Creationism is apparent when you lament human improvement.

Answer 7

I believe evolution still exists today but not physically in humans. Technology is constantly evolving today. Hopefully People can evolve mentally to a place where people can put there differences aside an coexist peacefully. Won't happen but one can hope for Rodenberry's dream. (Star Trek type world)

Answer 8

Since evolution is a proven fact, it is necessary to look for the human identity. And one does not have to look very far; the ability of humans to apply logic to evidence to come to reasoned conclusions is the defining characteristic of the species -- and the only thing that makes us noticeably different from our closest cousins, the chimpanzees. (Proof of evolution is available on request; please provide an e-mail address.)

Answer 9

For the third time: read the links I gave you on your other "questions".

Answer 10

Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning.
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