It's hard to believe there are 7 pages of discussion on evolution here, but no understanding of the scientific terms and methods at issue here.

Evolution is a fact. We can observe it directly today. We also find overwhelming evidence of evolution in the historical record. That evolution exists is not in dispute. It is fact.

A theory is a cohesive explanation of "why" or "how" the facts and observations relate to each other. It is also "predictive". The explanations generated by the theory must be testable.

A theory is NOT a "guess" (neither a "wild" guess nor an "educated" guess). A theory is not an hypothesis. Hypotheses are generated to test the theory, to try to prove it "false". The longer a theory remains "not disproved", the stronger and more accepted it becomes.

Again, evolution is a fact.

When we speak of the Theory of Evolution, we are referring to the various possible processes and mechanisms by which Evolution occurs. Probably the most recognized theory of evolution is the Theory of Natural Selection.

The theories of evolution - natural selection and other potential means by which the fact of evolution occurs - are being actively tested, studied, observed, refined, supported, dismissed and debated in the scientific community. It's quite an exciting process, really. But what you won't find in the scientific community is any discussion or doubt over the existence of evolution itself.

Nobody with a modicum of scientific knowledge and understanding is going around asking, "Do you believe in evolution?" any more than they would ask, "Do you believe the earth is round and revolves around the sun?".

__________________
Yo, how can I get me one o' them White House press pass thingies?!

Dude, glowdog, I just about think that you've responded better than anyone else. your answer seems to reconciled both sides by seemingly saying they're both wrong & right to a certain degree. I tip my hat to you. But do you have a source?

I didn't write the above post based on any one source. It's just what I know and live. (I'm a science educator)

But here's a link to a well-known essay on the subject by Stephen Jay Gould:
http://www.stephenjaygould.org/libra...nd-theory.html

__________________
Yo, how can I get me one o' them White House press pass thingies?!

Less and less everyday...

__________________
"Tweeter was a Boyscout before she went to Vietnam and found out the hard way... nobody gives a d@mn."

I know what you mean. LMAO

__________________
Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. It's a dumb question... skip it.

I want all of these people who say Darwin doesn't have proof to prove to give me proof that god created all of us. Then you can mock his theory based on facts.

__________________
"The Difference between Republicans and Democrats, is that Repbublicans come up with bad ideas, and Democrats come up with no ideas" Lewis Black

That is the same kind of stultified thinking which you claim to hate...and you overstate things...there is nothing unanimous in the scientific community about it...even Darwin said if you don't find transitional fossils, no evolution (at least not as he defined it)...

From what I understand, many astronomers believe there is a divine beginning...Einstein did too...so much for unanimous...

If all you can do is "appeal to authority" by stating that everyone in the scientific community (which presumably you aren't a part of) agrees with you, then perhaps you aren't really all that convinced once one gets past the surface...

__________________
"You sound like a gen-x coffee house dick" - From the outtakes to Office Space

Wrong thread..this is a thread about whether you believe in evolution, not whether you believe in any of the commonly discussed alternatives to it

__________________
"You sound like a gen-x coffee house dick" - From the outtakes to Office Space

Contrary to common belief, the majority of fossils found are not of extinct types of animals. Most fossils are very similar (and often totally identical) to creatures living today. It is said there are many more living species of animals than there are types known only as fossils. If Evolution is true, one may wonder why the case is not just the reverse since evolutionary history is supposed to be filled with temporary, intermediate stages of Evolution, from amoeba to man.

I have a wonderful answer to these questions: I don't know.

If you will recall, in none of my posts have I offered any alternative to macroevolutionary theory. I am merely ponting out that there are a lot of unanswered questions about Darwin's conclusions - not the least of which is the fact that the fossil record is one big contradiction to his writings. Some scientists even refuse to admit this obvious fact. Instead they continue to try and fit a square peg in a round hole, clinging to Darwin with all the illogical fervor of a Creationist adhering to a strict interpretation of the Bible.

What I'm asking is this: how can we find real answers to science's mysteries, if we are not allowed to question existing theories? How can we further true knowledge without first admitting, "I don't know."?

and actually read it and then we can talk. My explanation fits within the bible as well as biblical teachings.

__________________
All you need to know about the energy crisis:
ANWR Exploration Republicans: 91% Supported. Democrats: 86% Opposed.
Coal-to-liquid R's: 90% YES. D's: 78% NO.
Oil Shale Exploration R's: 90% YES. D's: 86% NO.
Outer Continental Shelf Exploration R's: 81% YES. D's: 83% NO.
Increased Refinery Capacity R's: 97% YES. D's: 96% NO

SUMMARY: 91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of America’s own oil and gas. 86% of House Democrats have historically voted against.