Should Atheists stop evolving so quickly and let the others catch up?

Question

Sometimes, the room is filled with monkeys one typewriters, knowing full well that one of them will finish Shakespeares uncompleted works. I know they can catch up, if we just slow down a little. What do you think?

monkeys "on" typewriters. ssshheesh, I'm slowing down already.

Answer 1

Evolution has its own wisdom; …the wisdom of Nature through the laws of probability. That these laws may be a reflection of some deeper physical laws is an interesting hypothesis which has only been partial confirmed. That partial confirmation is definitely NOT because of the influence of any god, but it is a confirmation that our physical "model" of the universe is not complete.

As the laws of physics are further discovered and codified, we may learn more about evolution and its relationship to evolution. Until then, evolution progresses. There is the interesting possibility that we are reaching a culminating point in human evolution however!

In his groundbreaking book, "The Singularity is Near", author Ray Kurzwiel discusses the amazing progress of computer technology, biology, medicine and quantum mechanics. The short version of this concept is simple; humans have now evolved to the point where we can dramatically affect our own evolution. As it turns out, we will have to evolve quickly and adapt to the problems we have created for ourselves through corporate greed, globalization, burning carbon-producing fuels and war.

Both science and evolution necessarily preclude ancient superstitions and medieval concepts such as religion, although science and evolution definitely do not preclude the spiritual components of the human psyche or the even the possibility of higher consciousness. As such, the atheist may seem to be evolving faster than any religiosos simply because he is ready to interface with science and higher consciousness without the retarding effects of religion: (hatred, lies, mythology, astrology, pseudo-science, war, political interference, etc.)

Global Intelligence seems to be increasing slightly and slowly at a rate of about three IQ points per decade. That, in conjunction with modern communication and education have made religion an obsolete artifact of the darkest part of human evolution.

I think it is a little over-the-top to refer to all Christians or other believers as "Monkeys on typewriters." It is a colorful and humorous characterization, but it isn't perfectly true. Sure, some fundamentalists seem to have the expository skills, grammar, spelling, punctuation and truncated intellectual capacity of our simian ancestors. However, these artifacts of their intellectual torpor are usually only from a very small sample of the entire religious population. Most of those people who still claim to be religious do not believe in literal translations of ancient mythology. Instead, they only embrace the positive aspects of their various religions as a metaphorical reflection of their natural humanistic values. Most religious people only remain that way because of early brainwashing and local socialization. As such, there is still hope for them to evolve with the rest of us. Discarding dogma only accelerates the process of evolution by preparing people for the inevitable changes to come.

At any rate, we can never stop or even slow evolution. Evolution seems to move slowly in comparison to the time-scale of human life-spans. However, evolution happens by leaps and bounds, fits and starts. It accelerates by radical jumps and mutations, usually caused by local survival pressure. Humans have definitely created problems for themselves! In most cases, we can easily see the correlation to these problems and the evil effects of religious belief. Now, humans are everywhere on the planet so our problems are planet-wide. Our “local survival pressure” includes every human on the planet. Our problems are global. The solutions must be too. As we become more intelligent and educated, religion will die largely by itself. Discussing these issues openly merely serves a mild mixing function …like a stirring a pot of stew.

For these first time in the history of evolution, those of us who are evolving are affecting our own evolution through computer technology, communication, education and science. To the extent that some zealous fundamentalists resist this change because of ignorant fear, they will indeed be behind the evolutionary curve. They will probably fight tooth-and-nail to prevent the inevitable evolutionary changes that are coming at an exponential rate.

History shows us that religions do not die easily. This is simply because religion has always been one tool of successful political regimes in controlling a believing populace. Politicians in power kowtow to the religious proletariat they helped create for the purpose of enslavement. The proles are prodigious breeders, so they are many. Therefore, the religious and other ignorant brainwashed populace will hold on their pet beliefs in spite of overwhelming evidence of evolution and the lack of evidence for any of their beliefs. This creates more problems rather than solving any. So in addition to solving all the other problems of humanity, we also have to solve the problems of religion.

By having this open forum, we help promote the great cause of Reason. Reason has always had a positive influence on evolution. That’s why we should not lower ourselves to calling religious people names, no matter how true or funny they are. Further, there is no way for us to stop or slow evolution. The amusing prospect of this is that the “monkeys on typewriters” may just die out because they are stupid, slow and reticent to change. We do not need to interfere with that process even if we could.

Answer 2

Viruses do evolve, and the common cold and also the flu viruses are excellent examples. Why do we have to get another flu shot every year? Because the one that protected us from last year's viruses don't work any more. That particular virus has mutated into a newer version. We haven't yet been able to even design a vaccine for the common cold, because the cold virus takes multiple forms simultaneously, and we can't keep up with its many forms. For the most part viruses don't have a need to evolve to anything more unless they are forced to because of a direct assault on their survival. We haven't got enough of a handle on the HIV virus yet to be able to threaten it very seriously, but the danger of its mutation is always there.

Answer 3

Isn't becoming atheist the end result to denying your intuitions? I don't want to bash your beliefs since I'm in full respect to everyone's, but, Atheism just never made sence to me at all.

Let's first get past any organised religeon and any thought that there is a concious higher being in control. So what if there is no "god." We are still all interconnected with energy [to be scientific] and energy can not be created nor destroyed... So wouldn't our deepest connectivity of thought, intuition, and action that modern day men deny possibly be our "god" of the past we pray to? Try reading "be here now" by Ram Dass.

So to answer your question... No. I think Atheists should literally go outside, stand still for a 5 minutes, and Literally not think about anything and see what happens. Clear the mind of past thought, future thought, emotions, sensations... And see if you still think there is no higher conciousness. [assuming you even have the ability to clear your mind for 5 minutes]

If youre still atheist after that then my only advice is do what makes you happy unless its at someone else expense.

Answer 4

I plan on publishing a novel. Maybe my being a 'monkey on a typewriter' could help gain some free publicity . . .

Hmm.

Answer 5

if you give the monkeys some banana bread that will slow them down for a little while...

Answer 6

That only works if there are an infinite number of monkeys!

Answer 7

Christians evolve at the same rate - BUT - the fundies have found a way to retard their own brains so that as their body evolves there brain regresses - clever huh?

Answer 8

I may be atheistic but I 'm not playing the Christian ego game either . My monkey is smarter than your monkey ?

Answer 9

If PETA discovers that you are operating a primate sweatshop this could evolve into a real legal nightmare.

Answer 10

no, we Atheists should continue to evolve as fast as we can. who cares if others are a bit slow?? everyone go in their own pace. =)