fossil boy

Oh so very true!
But the reason not to discuss this is is probably because it makes such bitter feelings. I don't really care if someone has the same belief system as mine. In fact, it would be much better if people used their brains to derive an individual belief system. Unfortunately though, it seems many folks succumb to a communal ideal, such as formalized religion, that TELLS them how to feel, worship, react, etc. That is NOT individual, critical thinking.
So, while I would never expect to change someone's views, I would hope to give them pause to think and consider issues from an unfettered perspective.
As a person of science, I don't tell people how they should embrace spirituality. I wish only that organized religion would cease delving into science erstwhile controlling folks fears and emotions. This is quite unfair; questioning existence and life seems to be a basic human urge. Why then, be satisfied with someone else's opinion on the matter?
Evolution exists. Even Ashcroft's Justice Department relies upon evolutionary differences of people (i.e. DNA evidence - the assumption of divergence is why this works); the DOD used evolution of bacteria in creating new (and improved?) strains of anthrax; and the observation (and fear) that many bacteria/viruses become immune to antibiotics over time.
BTW, by all accounts Darwin was devotely religious and seemed to have no problem with the dynamic world his god created...
And for the record, my spiritual views are of no concern to anyone but me. I do, however, recoil when others' religous values interfere with unbiased science and prohibit free discussion and advancement of knowledge.

jlanger

Being the husband of an evolutionary archaeologist and being an anthropologist myself, I have a bit of an opinion on the subject. As for humanity coming from an aardvark in a lose term we may have. Going further down the DNA and fossil record we see a great deal of similarities to animals that were insectivores and lived in trees. Millions of years ago these animals evolved into different branches one of which eventually became primates and others that became aardvarks etc. (Similar are cats and dogs which also have a similar story)

As for Mazda being the evolutionary pinnacle as much as I'd like to be it can't be true, as there is no evolutionary perfection. Even us humans will eventually fall or evolve. How the process works is debatable but the fact that it does happen is proven and I will be willing to debate with anyone about it.

Pro_fan

Nobody is disputing that we may share an evolutionary heritage...especially being mammals and all.

However, the initial post for this topic states,
I still have yet to see this astounding discovery in any news source.

protegeboy78

Fossil boy i'm confused, you say its ok to make up your mind for yourself and believe somethign, except in the case that you decide you believe in God and go to church? then it becomes wrong and you are no longer thinking for youself? So basically its only ok to think for yourself when the person agrees with you?

fossil boy

NO!
What my "Opinion" on the matter is:
1) I have more respect for those who actually used cognitive thinking to form their own thoughts for personal sprituality versus those who've become involved in organized religion only because of society's whims/pressures. I think that most religions exist as a form of power and control and in fact use fear and as a tactic to retain members. By any standard, churchs are Big Business...
2) Whatever your personal spiritual belief is, exercise it (or not), but, do not inflict it upon others. Attempting to discredit Science b/c it conflicts with YOUR religious views is an example.
If someone does not agree with a scientific interpretation, by all means, discuss, but please, let's be rational and discuss it scientifically.

eggynatey

Believe what you want. I know where I came from. God made me and you in His image. I'll do good and good will follow me wherever I go. Aardvark? Monkey? I've never seen either one of those turn into a human.

alcoholiday

then obviously you didn't drink as much tequila as i did in the zoo bar.

Pro_fan

I've never seen God or Jesus either....

fossil boy

Dude, you're preaching at the wrong choir...
Save it for Sunday School and Altar Boys, I'm certain all involved will enjoy your oral expertise on the matter.

protegeboy78

never seen the wind but i know it exists, never seen a quark but i know they exist also

Pro_fan

midnightblue97

Jesus is the son of god.
Jesus is the son of Mary.
god and Mary were not married.
Jesus is therefore a bastard.
Mary was married to Joseph.
god banged mary. If god asked mary, then she is an adulteress.
The seventh commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery ''
If god did not ask mary, then he is a RAPIST.
The bible says incest is wrong. Thats fine, I can agree with that.
The bible also says that Adam and Eve were the first people on earth. They had 2 children Cain and Able, one killed the other and as far as I know they had no other children. Where did everyone else come from??
Is the entire population of the earth a product of inbreeding??
Noah and his family were the only people to survive "the great flood" Therefore, if they repopulated the earth, then yet again, all human population is the product of inbreeding.

If god really exists, assuming there is only one god, why wouldn't he stop everyone from killing each other and hating each other based on the fact that they worship the "same" god, in a different way?
Thats why I think religion is a crock of ****.

eggynatey

I'm not some kind of holy roller. Don't get me wrong. I just thought I'd give my opinion. PEACE!

kc5zom

I've seen the wind. Dust blowing in the wind is merely an extension of the wind itself, which is made up of the movements of countless little elements, molecules, and compounds flowing through space and time.

I always find the Christian interpretation of the bible (you can't PROVE there isn't a God) a little bit retarded. Absense of contradicting data is not proof that God exists. All it means is that you can't prove God exists but you want us to join your happy little cult anyway, on "faith", in the hopes that when we die we will enjoy immense rewards in the afterlife while the non-believers suffer burning in hell.

Here are a couple of reasons that religion exists:

1. Fear of our deaths and what happens afterward, most likely nothing.

2. Basic human motives of greed (our rewards) and revenge (their punishment).

But really, if you think about it, humans are related to insects, reptiles, smallpox, and even Republicans (the lowest and most reviled of life forms)! Since whatever primordial soup introduced the first organisms to the planet is inevitably the father of all life (unless you subscribe to that alien crap).

See, I mixed religion and politics. Let the fireworks begin!

eggynatey

On Second thought... **** Off, Fossil Boy, you little bitch! Choir boy? oral expertise? **** You, you nerd ******!! "Pet Peeves About Grammar" ****, How **** can you get? Pick on someone else, weirdo! Wait! I'm a new believer, Darwin was right! A monkey must've shat YOU out right to "kunt town"