Evolutionary science and atheism (Creator, Earth, blood, creation, atheist)

[fantôme profane]

Originally Posted by Abdul Latif

I've got no problem with people who believe in evolution as a result of a god empowered process, because we could fill in the logical inconsistencies with 'God made it happen'..

This is an excellent description of the “God of the Gaps” theology.

It is not a reasonable scientific explanation. You cannot just use “God” to fill in the logical inconsistencies. It is not logical, and it is not scientific, unless you can clearly show that “God made it happen”, then it is meaningless.

Worse than that it is bad theology. You are using “God” for your own purposes. You are saying that “God” can only be seen acting in those places where there are no scientific explanations. It is a very dangerous philosophy. As our scientific understanding grows, you will be forcing “God” into smaller and smaller spaces. Many atheists are former theists who at one time subscribed to the God of the Gaps theology. I really think you should spend some time reconsidering this.

Originally Posted by Abdul Latif

Btw, evolution on its own (as a branch of biology) does not deal with the origin of life

I am glad you understand that. Abiogenesis is not evolution. And the sense I get is that your problem is not really with evolution, but with abiogenesis. So just for the sake of argument, I will grant you that there is still a great deal that is not fully known or understood about the origin of life. But saying “God did it” is not an explanation.

And what would happen to your faith if one day there was a convincing scientific explanation? You would be forced either to deny the truth, or question your faith. Don’t allow yourself to fall into that trap.



And I would still like you to define what precisely you see as the difference between micro and macro evolution. Where exactly do you draw the line and why? How can I tell the difference between micro and macro evolution?

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Abdul Latif

Good. Tell me how life evolved spontaneously from non-life 3.5 Billion years ago, and show me one experiment which would confirm such a notion possible. You going to give me the Miller experiment?

No, I'm going to tell you that issues of creation verses abiogenesis have absolutely nothing to do with Evolution.