Creation or Evolution: The Statistics!!!

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

After all the talk recently about Creation and Evolution, I was curious to find out just how many of our CR brethren believe in Evolution and how many in a Genesis style creation.

Please note that this is in no way limited to the Christian idea of Creation, any version of a creation myth is applicable.

I vote evolution.

[lunamoth]

Just a small suggestion. One does not "believe in" evolution. Perhaps you could reword that to reflect something like "accept the theory of evolution."

lunamoth

[Ciel]

Lunamoth,

Well, I believe in evolution in the same way I believe in God.
And in this there is no theory. Only God, only evolution.
Can I prove it in statistics, no.
Can I live it, yes.

[lunamoth]

Hi Ciel,

Well, we are not really apart I don't think.

I believe in the Creation described in Genesis as a sacred truth beyond what can be measured by humans. I accept the theory of evolution/descent with modification as the best explanation fitting the data we have to date. I see no conflict whatsoever.

peace,
lunamoth

[lunamoth]

I am posting this on behalf of Ciel, who is currently unable to post in this thread.

Descent or ascent or both!
One of one, and one of the other.
In the simplist of terms, movement and change.

You know, dont you, I'm a natural optimist.
It's the only reason I'm here.

love,
Ciel

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

Is there really a difference between "believe" and "accept the theory"?

[Ciel]

Hi awaiting the fifth,

This thread has cleared it'self again, reason why not possible to post as only big gaps appearing on screen, infact they're still there, but have discovered, can be read by scrolling down after post, thanks for your help lunamoth.


Awaiting the fifth,

When you meditate, are you in belief, you know the what I am feeling is real, or are you accepting the theory? You can measure this in your conscious and subconscious state, compared to normal habitual living. It is real, yet others might only accept the theory if they had not felt it for themselves.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

Is there really a difference between "believe" and "accept the theory"?

Hi Awaiting,

On forums such as this I have come to the conclusion that this is an important distinction to make. I am a Christian. As part of my faith I internalize the teachings of Christianity, based in the Bible, in the light of tradition and reason. But faith is belief in things not seen, or 'not testable' to put a scientific spin on the words.

On the other hand, evolution is a theory based completely on the analysis of material evidence and data. I don't need faith to accept the utility of the theory of evolution.

Anyway, I can't answer your poll question as stated. If you want to know if I'm a YEC, the answer is no. If you want to know if I 'believe' in ID, my answer is 'what possible use is such a belief to either science or religion?' God created it all and saw that it was good.

peace,
lunamoth

[Dondi]

Awaiting the Fifth. There are some who believe in theistic evolution. Shouldn't there be a third choice?

[MattWolf]

Originally Posted by Dondi

Awaiting the Fifth. There are some who believe in theistic evolution. Shouldn't there be a third choice?

There could many choices.

Perhaps a more useful question might be: "To what degree do you take Genesis 1-3 literally?" with multiple options varying by degree...or something like that.

My answer would be "God provided the material that makes up the Universe and the laws that function within the Universe. Everything else is debateable (and irrelevant) to me."

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

Shouldn't there be a third choice?

Personally, I dont believe so. I see no conflict between scientific evolution and theistic evolution. I think that if there is a God, it is quite wrong to deny the perfection of the system he has set in motion to produce humans as we are now.

In my humble opinion, to ignore the evidence and claim that the earth is only 5000 years old is to deny God's work.

That is, if there is a God.

[Faithfulservant]

Hmm See I believe in evolution.. I believe in micro evolution I do not believe in macro evolution.. Should stick something on there pertaining to this otherwise its not really accurate

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

Is there really a difference between "believe" and "accept the theory"?

Yep - the theory as it stands at present is incapable of describing specific mechanisms and processes of evolution.

The principle of evolution is different...

However, it's also worth reminding that evolution does not relate to the "creation" of life, but the development and diversity.

So perhaps the black and white answers that may seem immediately applicable, are in fact not...

[Cobber]

Originally Posted by Ciel

Lunamoth,

Well, I believe in evolution in the same way I believe in God.
And in this there is no theory. Only God, only evolution.
Can I prove it in statistics, no.
Can I live it, yes.

Hi Ciel - I completely agree with you!

Just to add that when I want to know the "How" questions in life I turn to science for the answers, when I want to know the "Why" questions in life I turn to God for the answer.

[Dor]

I believe in both to an extent. God created everything and there has been evolution among the different types of animals as conditions and times changed but no cross evolution and no spontaneous generation.

"What I think the DNA material has done is show that intelligence must have been involved in getting these extraordinarily diverse elements together," he said. "The enormous complexity by which the results were achieved look to me like the work of intelligence." Anthony Flew one of the best known atheist and author of Darwinian Evolution.