Theory of Evolution Poll

[Coggeh]

What do people think religious or not about the theory of Evolution .


Do you believe in it ?


My own feeling is that it is the best explanation in how the origin of life arose and when you consider the definition of theory in this context and that of the scientific method a better term for it would be that it is basic fact .

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

My own feeling is that it is the best explanation in how the origin of life arose and when you consider the definition of theory in this context and that of the scientific method a better term for it would be that it is basic fact .

Correction - evolution is a theory on how organisms change over time. Abiogenesis is the one that describes how life originally came about. There is currently no "standard model" for abiogenesis, but most currently accepted models draw at least some elements from the framework laid out by the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis.

Otherwise, yes I "believe" in evolution, but it is a matter of evidence rather than faith. I shouldn't have to make this distinction, but the fuzziness of the English language is often often abused by religious fundamentalists, who treat belief in evolution based on evidence as equivalent to belief based on faith.

[Coggeh]

Correction - evolution is a theory on how organisms change over time. Abiogenesis is the one that describes how life originally came about. There is currently no "standard model" for abiogenesis, but most currently accepted models draw at least some elements from the framework laid out by the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis.

Otherwise, yes I "believe" in evolution, but it is a matter of evidence rather than faith. I shouldn't have to make this distinction, but the fuzziness of the English language is often often abused by religious fundamentalists, who treat belief in evolution based on evidence as equivalent to belief based on faith.
But i thought it was a fact that evolution did occur/is occuring in the world , that the confusion or the theory party came mainly from the idea of natural selection as a means of evolution .

"A fact is hypothesis that is so firmly supported by evidence that we assume it is true, and act as if it were true"
Evolution being so fundamentally backed by evidence that it would be hard to suggest otherwise . I'm not in disagreement , I'm just saying what i know , hoping I can make some conclusions here ...In otherwords , I'm confused. :(

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

But i thought it was a fact that evolution did occur/is occuring in the world , that the confusion or the theory party came mainly from the idea of natural selection as a means of evolution .

This Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_as_theory_and_fact) ought to clear things up if you personally are confused.

Natural selection is a part of modern evolutionary theory and is well supported by the evidence, much like the other mechanisms and processes of evolution such as mutation, adaptation, speciation and genetic drift.


"A fact is hypothesis that is so firmly supported by evidence that we assume it is true, and act as if it were true"
Evolution being so fundamentally backed by evidence that it would be hard to suggest otherwise . I'm not in disagreement , I'm just saying what i know , hoping I can make some conclusions here ...In otherwords , I'm confused. :(Well, in short, evolution is both a fact and a theory. The fact of evolution is what actually happens in the real world. The theory of evolution is the explanation of that fact.

[Dean]

It's not a theory, its a fact.

[apathy maybe]

I believe in the "theory of evolution", but that's 'cause I'm not an evolutionary scientist, and I haven't studied the issue at all, etc.

So far as it goes, I have no direct evidence to support evolution, any more than I have to support certain other theories that I accept as fact (e.g. that the earth goes around the sun, rather than the sun going around the earth). For many of these things I could, no doubt, quickly and easily train how to verify things for myself (e.g. the astronomy issue I pointed out), but, I have other things to do with my time. I trust that there are enough scientists, and that the scientific process will prevent knowledge from being buried (at least, so long as it doesn't hurt the people in power too much).

[Coggeh]

This Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_as_theory_and_fact) ought to clear things up if you personally are confused.

Natural selection is a part of modern evolutionary theory and is well supported by the evidence, much like the other mechanisms and processes of evolution such as mutation, adaptation, speciation and genetic drift.

Well, in short, evolution is both a fact and a theory. The fact of evolution is what actually happens in the real world. The theory of evolution is the explanation of that fact.
Thats the article that confused me in the first place ! :lol:

Thanks though

[Q]

I don't believe in evolution, I accept it as a scientific well established theory and proven many times by numerous facts and new insights (such as the discovery of DNA).

Slight difference, therefore voted No.

[Forward Union]

But i thought it was a fact that evolution did occur/is occuring in the world , that the confusion or the theory party came mainly from the idea of natural selection as a means of evolution .

"A fact is hypothesis that is so firmly supported by evidence that we assume it is true, and act as if it were true"
Evolution being so fundamentally backed by evidence that it would be hard to suggest otherwise . I'm not in disagreement , I'm just saying what i know , hoping I can make some conclusions here ...In otherwords , I'm confused. :(

Calm down. Lot's of things are theories. Gravity is a theory. The fact that the earth rotates the sun is a theory.

They are theories in the most technical manner. Some people panic when they hear the word theory, it doesn't mean "something someone said"

[Forward Union]

I don't believe in evolution, I accept it as a scientific well established theory and proven many times by numerous facts and new insights (such as the discovery of DNA).

Slight difference, therefore voted No.

So, what do you accept as the best explanation for the existence of complex life?

[Picky Bugger]

It's not a theory, its a fact.

You are misunderstanding what scientific theory is, it is not contemplation or speculation like one may think but is in fact the explanation of how and why evolution occurs. This misunderstanding is often used as Noxion said by fundamentalists as a way to argue that evolution is less accurate and relevant than creationism.

This video I got off "His" website talks a little about this and is quite funny to boot...

http://www.venganza.org/2009/02/13/fsm-on-the-rachel-maddow-show/

[welshboy]

The fact that the earth rotates the sun is a theory.
Naw, that the earth orbits the sun is a fact, a theory would explain why/how.

[Q]

So, what do you accept as the best explanation for the existence of complex life?

Evolution, I thought my previous post made that perfectly clear. My point however was that I don't believe in it, as if it would be something religious.

[Coggeh]

Naw, that the earth orbits the sun is a fact, a theory would explain why/how.
Isn't it the same with evolution ? that it is a fact but the why and how is the theoretical part ?


Anyway just responding to a few posts above , i understand the difference in meaning between the way theory is thrown around and theory in the scientific method .

But even Dawkins stated that evolution is a fact and he's pretty in there with those science guys ...

[Coggeh]

Evolution, I thought my previous post made that perfectly clear. My point however was that I don't believe in it, as if it would be something religious.
Do you believe in gravity ? or is that too religious for you too :p

[GracchusBabeuf]

There is a difference between theory and Theory. "theory" is when something is proposed and is not tested. "Theory" has been tested and evidence found to support it. Also there has been no contradictory evidence for it either. "Theory of gravitation" and "Theory of evolution" are examples of the latter.

[Picky Bugger]

Thanks for repeating what several people have already said... :p

[Q]

There is a difference between theory and Theory. "theory" is when something is proposed and is not tested. "Theory" has been tested and evidence found to support it. Also there has been no contradictory evidence for it either. "Theory of gravitation" and "Theory of evolution" are examples of the latter.

You sound like those nutcases making a difference between "communism" and "Communism".

[Coggeh]

There is a difference between theory and Theory. "theory" is when something is proposed and is not tested. "Theory" has been tested and evidence found to support it. Also there has been no contradictory evidence for it either. "Theory of gravitation" and "Theory of evolution" are examples of the latter.
The capital has nothing to do with the word , its scientific theory and theory in the way people use it . Like hey guys i have a theory about why gary doherty ended up in the premiership ... and this is the theory of evolution here is the facts ..figures etc ...the theory of evolution hasn't been tested but is based on mountains of evidence that support it . Which is why is considered " proven beyond reasonable doubt "

[welshboy]

Isn't it the same with evolution ? that it is a fact but the why and how is the theoretical part ?


Anyway just responding to a few posts above , i understand the difference in meaning between the way theory is thrown around and theory in the scientific method .

But even Dawkins stated that evolution is a fact and he's pretty in there with those science guys ...

Evolution happens, this is a fact.
Evolutionary theory explains how it occurs.

[Chapter 24]

I don't really "believe" in gravity, biology, or the periodic table. They're scientific facts, and evolution is no exception. Whether or not one accepts evolution is based on religious superstition or stubborness.

[GracchusBabeuf]

You sound like those nutcases making a difference between "communism" and "Communism".Nothing to do with what I said.


The capital has nothing to do with the word , its scientific theory and theory in the way people use itThat there are lots of unproven theories does not make the Theory of evolution unproven. Thats why it shouldn't be called "just a theory". That was my point.

[Lynx]

A theory is an explanation for a set of facts.
Facts are derived from repeated measurements and observations.

My belief in evolution is contingent upon my level of expertise in the subject.

[Rosa Provokateur]

Evolution is possible... honestly I dont care either way. I'm here now and thats what matters.

[Picky Bugger]

Brilliant, why don't we all think like you... I know lets never do anything to expand our knowledge and understanding of the universe etc. Whats the point we won't be here in the future to benefit from anything so fuck it who cares.:glare:

[Killfacer]

I know it has to be here, but it seems stupid "the theory of evolution poll" being in the religious section.

[Sean]

Brilliant, why don't we all think like you... I know lets never do anything to expand our knowledge and understanding of the universe etc. Whats the point we won't be here in the future to benefit from anything so fuck it who cares.:glare:
Not everyone has to give a damn, and many people don't have that void. Your attitude sounds like a hangover from religion and something I really hate about "new atheists". Worse than Jehovah's Witnesses sometimes...

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Not everyone has to give a damn, and many people don't have that void. Your attitude sounds like a hangover from religion and something I really hate about "new atheists". Worse than Jehovah's Witnesses sometimes...

I've yet to have an atheist knock on my door and tell me the Good News that There Is No God. :lol:

Besides, "giving a damn" is not the same thing as having an irrational belief unsupported by evidence...

[Picky Bugger]

I was being slightly facetious with that post but take it wholly seriously if you must...

[Rosa Provokateur]

Brilliant, why don't we all think like you... I know lets never do anything to expand our knowledge and understanding of the universe etc. Whats the point we won't be here in the future to benefit from anything so fuck it who cares.:glare:
Aww, dont be that way :tt2:

[MarxSchmarx]

Evolution is possible... honestly I dont care either way. I'm here now and thats what matters.


If you don't care now, you should.

Evolution has real consequences, like the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, cocktails that tackle the evolving HIV virus, and insect pests that evolve resistance to persticides.

Without an understanding of how evolution works, we won't have a snow-balls chance in hell to deal with these very real economic problems.

[Rosa Provokateur]

Let the scientists worry about it, I doubt I'll be using any of that stuff in the near future

[Decolonize The Left]

Let the scientists worry about it, I doubt I'll be using any of that stuff in the near future

If you live in an industrialized state, you probably already use and consume loads of products/consumer durables which involve the use of evolution in their production/distribution.

The study of evolution does not occur in the vacuum of the scientific experiment - it is the study of our existence as evolution by natural selection is constantly occurring.

- August

[JimmyJazz]

Let the scientists worry about it, I doubt I'll be using any of that stuff in the near future

Not with that attitude you won't.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/vtm20002000/no.gif

[Coggeh]

I know it has to be here, but it seems stupid "the theory of evolution poll" being in the religious section.
I wanted to get the response of OI too . Maybe it should just be in general OI .

[Rosa Provokateur]

The study of evolution does not occur in the vacuum of the scientific experiment - it is the study of our existence as evolution by natural selection is constantly occurring.

- August

Natural selection makes me feel a little off, smacks too much of eugenics which I find to be fascist.

[Rosa Provokateur]

Not with that attitude you won't.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/vtm20002000/no.gif
Then I wont, doesnt hurt me any.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Natural selection makes me feel a little off, smacks too much of eugenics which I find to be fascist.

Reality doesn't care about your feelings.


Then I wont, doesnt hurt me any.

It will when you need, say, vaccinations or antibiotics.

[Rosa Provokateur]

It will when you need, say, vaccinations or antibiotics.

Thank G-d there are doctors.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Thank G-d there are doctors.

On the contrary, modern doctors are entirely the result of human medical science. Which is also based on evolution being correct.

[synthesis]

On the contrary, modern doctors are entirely the result of human medical science. Which is also based on evolution being correct.

Source?

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Source?

Would you like a source on whether water is wet, as well? :rolleyes:

[Rosa Provokateur]

On the contrary, modern doctors are entirely the result of human medical science. Which is also based on evolution being correct.

and it's my belief that G-d created the humans that made the science. Either way I'm happy and really dont care.

[RedAnarchist]

Evolution has far more scientific evidence behind it than any other theory on existence, so I believe it to be the truth. It's obvious that life evolved, and we can witness evolution on a day to day basis.

[synthesis]

Would you like a source on whether water is wet, as well? :rolleyes:

Why does medical science require evolution to work? Was there no medical science before evolution was accepted as fact? I'm just saying that part of your claim isn't really true. We don't need to know that people evolved from apes in order to perform a Cesarean.

[commyrebel]

If you don't believe in evolution then your a dumb ass even the pope has omitted that evolution exists. For those who say that evolution disproves religion in some cases yes but not all the time. Evolution isn't just the theory of us coming from another spices it is the theory of changes and adaptions of the spices over time to the existent that it becomes a new species.