Comments on: Out of the Closet – I Believe in Evolution http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/ Good words is about editing, writing, faith, and work... and especially poetry because I like poetry. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:47:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jp http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4523 jp Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:16:04 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4523 Survival of the fittest may be the law of nature, but it's not the law of God. You CAN have both, no? The law of the flesh, and the law of the Spirit. Survival of the fittest may be the law of nature, but it’s not the law of God. You CAN have both, no? The law of the flesh, and the law of the Spirit.

]]> By: Marcus http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4514 Marcus Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:52:41 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4514 RLP, thanks for that. RLP, thanks for that.

]]> By: real live preacher http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4512 real live preacher Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:56:15 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4512 I must run in different circles because this issue hasn't been on my radar in a long time. I think it is good to distinguish between evolution, the current best scientific theory about how things came to be, and natural selection, which is an ongoing process which, while it can't be proven the way you can prove the rate a ball drops, does seem to be apparent since we see it happening all around us. That's how we've gotten antibiotic resistant bacteria. What's often not said is that evolution offers NO explanation of how life began. None. And while some evolutionists claim the process is random, that's really not important either. The truth is, natural selection, while brutal, seems to be God's way. As such, speaking against it is like speaking against a mountain. It just is. And because it is, it is true. And if it is true and we believe in God, then it is God's truth. And if natural selection is happening (and it is) then evolution is simply a larger version of that happening on a grand scale. I think it is beautiful in a hard way, like the way galaxies are born and the way stars die. All things have their time. All things are born in His love but also born to struggle in this life. It all seems to make sense to me. I must run in different circles because this issue hasn’t been on my radar in a long time. I think it is good to distinguish between evolution, the current best scientific theory about how things came to be, and natural selection, which is an ongoing process which, while it can’t be proven the way you can prove the rate a ball drops, does seem to be apparent since we see it happening all around us. That’s how we’ve gotten antibiotic resistant bacteria.

What’s often not said is that evolution offers NO explanation of how life began. None. And while some evolutionists claim the process is random, that’s really not important either. The truth is, natural selection, while brutal, seems to be God’s way. As such, speaking against it is like speaking against a mountain. It just is. And because it is, it is true. And if it is true and we believe in God, then it is God’s truth.

And if natural selection is happening (and it is) then evolution is simply a larger version of that happening on a grand scale. I think it is beautiful in a hard way, like the way galaxies are born and the way stars die. All things have their time. All things are born in His love but also born to struggle in this life. It all seems to make sense to me.

]]> By: Joffan http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4510 Joffan Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:43:53 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4510 What's next for the human race - if we survive the next fifty years, say - might be more and more in our own hands. We've already taken on huge parts of it by enabling the survival of children that would "naturally" have died, and expanding the world's population far beyond any "natural" limits (although hopefully we've seen the last doubling). "What's next" is a big question, with no fixed answer. On self-awareness - perhaps that was the wrong term, and I'm sure you're right Marcus that it is not an "on-off" phenomenon. But still I think there must have been a qualitative shift sometime. What’s next for the human race – if we survive the next fifty years, say – might be more and more in our own hands. We’ve already taken on huge parts of it by enabling the survival of children that would “naturally” have died, and expanding the world’s population far beyond any “natural” limits (although hopefully we’ve seen the last doubling). “What’s next” is a big question, with no fixed answer.

On self-awareness – perhaps that was the wrong term, and I’m sure you’re right Marcus that it is not an “on-off” phenomenon. But still I think there must have been a qualitative shift sometime.

]]> By: Sam Van Eman http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4508 Sam Van Eman Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:15:36 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4508 Maybe a friendly version of the liquid metal guy from Terminator II. How cool would THAT be? Maybe a friendly version of the liquid metal guy from Terminator II. How cool would THAT be?

]]> By: David Rupert http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4507 David Rupert Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:55:38 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4507 And think about this. If "survival of the fittest" is the law of nature, what's next for the human race? What will we evolve into? And think about this. If “survival of the fittest” is the law of nature, what’s next for the human race? What will we evolve into?

]]> By: Marcus http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4505 Marcus Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:27:23 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4505 Joffan, great point that we ARE primates. And the issue of self-awareness is interesting. I've read popular science pieces (in MIT's Tech Review, I think) summarizing research about this. Turns our that chimps and other primates have a surprisingly high level of self-awareness. Put them to sleep, draw on their forehead with a marker, then show them a mirror and they will try to rub the mark from their head. They know the chimp in the mirror as themselves. Self-awareness. Dolphins have it too, I've heard. I'm guessing there are levels of self-awareness, but still. We're hardly the only species that has it. All of this should end with the caveat that I'm no scientist. And another caveat for L.L. When I say I love sausage, I really mean it. I've been known to drive two hours for good sausage. Joffan, great point that we ARE primates. And the issue of self-awareness is interesting. I’ve read popular science pieces (in MIT’s Tech Review, I think) summarizing research about this. Turns our that chimps and other primates have a surprisingly high level of self-awareness.

Put them to sleep, draw on their forehead with a marker, then show them a mirror and they will try to rub the mark from their head. They know the chimp in the mirror as themselves. Self-awareness.

Dolphins have it too, I’ve heard. I’m guessing there are levels of self-awareness, but still. We’re hardly the only species that has it.

All of this should end with the caveat that I’m no scientist.

And another caveat for L.L. When I say I love sausage, I really mean it. I’ve been known to drive two hours for good sausage.

]]> By: L.L. Barkat http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4501 L.L. Barkat Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:51:25 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4501 I like meat too. : ) Makes it an extra challenge to be a vegetarian. And, yes, Marcus... sausage is one of my favorite things. I like meat too. : ) Makes it an extra challenge to be a vegetarian. And, yes, Marcus… sausage is one of my favorite things.

]]> By: Joffan http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4500 Joffan Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:23:08 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4500 The interesting aspects of Genesis are all in metaphor and interpretation. The major problem with taking literally the six-day creation with pre-existing species is the fact that it conflicts so strongly with the evidence of ancient universe and long evolutionary history that is around us and within us. Taking the literal route makes God into a deceiver. For clarification on one point: we humans are in fact primates, and under reasonable biological schemes, we're apes. It's fascinating to consider the point where the humans species became self-aware, for there is a true miracle. That is a point where I see the divine. And it would likely be a very few, maybe brothers and sisters in a bright family, that cooked up speech and story-telling and songs. There is Adam - surrounded by those who are not quite aware yet, who will carry the species forward with his slightly less capable cousins, and bring it to the full light of humanity. Ready to eat from the tree of knowledge, with fruit both good and evil. The interesting aspects of Genesis are all in metaphor and interpretation. The major problem with taking literally the six-day creation with pre-existing species is the fact that it conflicts so strongly with the evidence of ancient universe and long evolutionary history that is around us and within us. Taking the literal route makes God into a deceiver.

For clarification on one point: we humans are in fact primates, and under reasonable biological schemes, we’re apes.

It’s fascinating to consider the point where the humans species became self-aware, for there is a true miracle. That is a point where I see the divine. And it would likely be a very few, maybe brothers and sisters in a bright family, that cooked up speech and story-telling and songs.

There is Adam – surrounded by those who are not quite aware yet, who will carry the species forward with his slightly less capable cousins, and bring it to the full light of humanity. Ready to eat from the tree of knowledge, with fruit both good and evil.

]]> By: jp http://www.goodwordediting.com/out-of-the-closet-i-believe-in-evolution/468/comment-page-1/#comment-4498 jp Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:31:50 +0000 http://www.goodwordediting.com/?p=468#comment-4498 Dear David: By the same token, I'll use your words here, "If God is who he says He is (powerful, creative, in control), then why..." can't he allow things to evolve and be the Agent of that change. You have to allow for that, no? Just checking. Dear David:

By the same token, I’ll use your words here, “If God is who he says He is (powerful, creative, in control), then why…” can’t he allow things to evolve and be the Agent of that change. You have to allow for that, no?

Just checking.

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