Proponents of Theistic Evolution: given that evolution hasn't stopped, aren't humans merely a waypoint?

Question

and not the ultimate product? Is this not implied? Or do you believe evolution stopped or something?

Quailman: if you accept evolution you must also accept that humans were something else before they became human, namely, non-self-aware primates. And that implies they will become something else after this. I don't think you're taking the long view with your jawbone talk.

Answer 1

I believe we will evolve right back into monkeys... or maybe seals... well... ok.. I don't believe that, but it's a funny idea!

Our planet and solar system will reach the end it's life cycle before any more dramatic evolutionary processes occur...

Answer 2

Evolution hasn't stopped.
Why would anyone be arrogant enough to think 'this is as good as it gets'?

Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: "Modern industrial society is a fanatical religion. We act as if we’re the last generation on the planet. Believing fundamentally this life is the only one, modern people have developed no long term vision, so there is nothing to restrain them from plundering the planet for their own immediate ends and from living in a selfish way that could prove fatal for the future; we are signing an IOU our children will not be able to pay."

Answer 3

This is an interesting question. Evolution is not caused by animals "changing" to suit the environment (they never do that), but by all the animals of that species that are less suited dying. The remaining animals mate and pass on genes suited to that environment or behavior, whatever that is.
The problem is now, due to technology, almost no humans die anymore due to being unfit or unable to feed themselves. Also, if someone is unable to feed themselves, somebody else comes along and does it for them, leaving them free to breed.
So I think evolution has stopped, unless cataclysmic changes cause mass die-offs of humans, or a new bacteria or virus (a new swine flue could easily kill multiple billions of people very quickly). Or imagine an international space station full of several hundred scientists. If events below wiped out the human earth population, the resulting offspring of those in the space station would be extremely more intelligent than the previously existing population.
These are the kinds of events required to further human evolution. PS: That doesn't mean we'll evolve into bug eyed monsters.

Answer 4

"Theistic Evolution" Never heard that term.

All Christians believe this "form" is a "waypoint" between birth and heaven so "human existence", depending on how you define the idea, is a waypoint.

Since it is possible for a being, once created, to slowly change in biological form and or behavior that there could be a combination of both creation and evolution.

The universe is not currently stagnant whether it was created moments ago with our current memories provided for us or it was created thousands or even millions of years ago.

However, since it cannot be proved the evolution has ever occurred it cannot be proved that evolution has either started or stopped.

Your question assumes facts that are, in fact, only theories. You also assume that something once created must remain stagnant unless it had previously "evolved" or developed from something else.

Your question does not make much sense, but, it was interesting thinking about the illogic of it for a moment.

PS: David R has a logical answer, to the very last question you asked based, on evolutionary theory. Well reasoned.

Answer 5

you must admit natural selection doesn't work in humans, that's why there are diesases such as cystic fibrosis and AIDS. if it did, we would let them die and it would go away.

but yeah, i suppose the current human is a waypoint, just like people might've been shorter or had larger jaws longer ago.

that's not saying that we're "the intermediate"


in essence, yes, we've slowed down. without natural selection, it's a little harder to improve our species

lost.eu/21618

edit
it implies that we'd go somewhere but,
as i said, evolution greatly slows down with humans, namely the most important tool of evolution, natural selection.
with primates, the sick ones die, the strong ones live.
with people, the sick ones are taken care of.

and since modern people now shape their environment, instead of changing to fit it, there's no need to evolve.

Answer 6

Evolution was understood only after painstaking observation, gathering and analysis of inordinate amounts of data.

It should not be a surprise that it has never intuited by Revelation.

There is no Relativity, or Black Holes in the Bible either.

These things are simply beyond intuition

Answer 7

Shoe manufacturers came out in the eighties and noted that they thought we are in the process of loosing the little toe...

Some scientist say that the human brain is larger now...

The human tool belt has evolved to the point that we ourselves might be the instrument that causes the next major changes in the species of man

We also play an important role in protecting species that could be extinct.

reference: someone asked about why the monkee or ape was still here if man evolved from them.

Answer 8

I don't think there is an 'ultimate product'. We will just keep evolving ad infinitum as need, etc arises..
Well, in theory we would, but i think we probably already know too much and are too aware for it continue naturally to any great extent.
A combination of our understanding of genetics and political correctness (who wants to be different, no matter how beneficial it may seem?) will slow any environmental changes.
We are also able to technologically sidestep certain needs for change. (e.g. physically we don't need to evolve to cope with changes in climates, we just create machines/wear more clothes to compensate)

Sorry, scrap that. Didn't notice the theistic part of the Q....be on my way....

Answer 9

We are our own predator. We have gotten taller, but fatter and smarter, but lazier. We have cured some diseases and fostered new ones. Steps forward and steps back. Hard to predict how long an evolution to another form will take as long as some environmental change doesn't select survivors. C. :)!!

Answer 10

Yes we are just a way point in the evolutionary scheme of things. To Quote Yoda " Luminous beings are we not this crude matter." I have found no wiser being than a Frog puppet with a lightsaber.

Answer 11

Evolution started when the earth cooled enough to support life. It has been going ever since . Because it takes many thousands of years to notice the change , it is useless to speculate on the future . There is nothing to indicate that it is not ongoing , or what humanity might eventually look like .