Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Evolution Number 9

I've never really understood the evolution debate. Have the Christian(TM) crusaders ever read Origin of Species? Is it inconceivable that human souls could have developed along with species (if that's the issue)?

The old debate was that God(TM) literally created the world in seven days, so evolution was not possible. Most of Chritianity has conceded that this was not likely. I once studied Catholicism under a priest who said this was the most bogus part of the Bible (and he had a lot to say about Biblical metaphors.) There is proof of evolution- even today you can see it. When bacteria become resistant to anti-biotics, that is evolution. I don't think that the Christian(TM) right understands this at all.

Darwin never said God/Yahweh/Allah/Krishna/etc didn't exist in his evolution theories. Maybe He/She/It/They does/do. However, until there is proof, this thing called "intelligent design" cannot compete with evolution, because "intelligent design" is an assertion, and evolution is a theory. By definition, theories have evidence, and assertions do not.

On the other hand, I don't see what the problem is with mentioning assertions when teaching about evolution. It could cause lively debate, maybe teach these kids whose parents are cracked out on god to think for themselves. Jay Matthews at WaPo has a lot to say about this, and I am inclined to agree with him. Debate is always good.

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