A Civil Discussion: Evolution, Science, Theology, Atheism, Climate

[Stretch]

And the point being?

How'd you enjoy the discussion?

[CharacterAssassin]

Okay; I want to revisit this theory of evolution.

If man evolved from monkeys as the theory goes, why didn't the OTHER monkeys and apes evolve?

Evolution doesn't make that claim.

I find it useful to know what one's talking about before actually talking.

You might look into that.

[Leonthecat]

If you want a civil discussion then this cunt should always be banned.

Sent from my Lenovo K8 using Tapatalk

A civil discussion is not possible if one side insists on believing savage uncivilized supernatural beliefs. Because they buy some insane notion that they will live forever if they say the right magical words together and sing the right magical songs.

[Stretch]

If you want a civil discussion then this cunt should always be banned.

Sent from my Lenovo K8 using Tapatalk

I was aware that the name-calling (like "moron") would start at some point...just didn't think it would be that soon, LOL.

[PostmodernProphet]

I am actually a-creational.......I don't care how God created the universe, life, man.......as far as I care he could have done it in 7 billion years or 7 seconds.......I am annoyed, though, of lib'ruls who are stupid enough to believe science has proved things which are in fact not proved and never will be.......I take Genesis 1:1 literally.......in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth......the tense of this verse is actually the imperative......that is "GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH!!!".....

Genesis 1:2-2:1 is Hebrew poetry.....all Hebrew poetry is signaled by a word translated into English as "Now".....
(2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.)
Hebrew poetry, like English poetry, is not read the same as narrative.....it is not understood literally......When the poet said "the fog crept in on little cat feet" he was not saying fog had paws, though he was communicating something factual about fog.....

I believe there is something very interesting about Genesis 1:2 through 2:1.......first, God created the difference between day and night........what is that difference?......time.......desert nomads knew that time was necessary before all else.....second, God separated the waters from the waters....the above from the below.......forces of nature such as gravity, motion, all those things we call natural laws......day three, water and soil are differentiated........matter comes into existence.....things become things.....
thereafter life, from the simplest form the most complex.....not bad for a people with no concept of science.......

[ThatOwlWoman]

This is a great article on this exact subject, and says pretty much everything I want to say to you about it minus whatever insults I have for you.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...627-story.html

Thanks, that is a great article.

My oldest daughter used to live in an apartment complex that was unfortunately plagued with religious door knockers. She answered the door one time wearing a t-shirt with something positive about science on it. The church lady earnestly told her that science is nice but God is better, and he made everything 6000 years ago, blah blah blah. My daughter brought up evolution. Church lady just smiled and said that evolution isn't real because "Why hasn't your little boy evolved into a poodle then?"

[Leonthecat]

Not entirely on evidence. Did you listen to Berlinski's arguement?

He attempts to compromise two diametrically opposed suppositions about what we know is true and what some wish to believe is true
You like him because he makes you feel a little less insane for believing in magic.

[cancel2 2022]

A civil discussion is not possible if one side insists on believing savage uncivilized supernatural beliefs. Because they buy some insane notion that they will live forever if they say the right magical words together and sing the right magical songs.

So what, if you have nothing to say then say nothing.

Sent from my Lenovo K8 using Tapatalk

[ThatOwlWoman]

I have a difficult time discussing anything with insane people. To believe in magical beings, as you do, requires a level of insanity that I am not willing to recognize as a viable alternative to rational thought.
In short , if you believe ancient supernatural events really happened, you have to be insane.

Hmm. If supernatural events happened in ancient times, why aren't they still happening? <--- non-religious person's answer to "If we evolved from apes, why are there still apes?"

[Leonthecat]

I was aware that the name-calling (like "moron") would start at some point...just didn't think it would be that soon, LOL.

TD's history here is that he was voted biggest moron here unanimously. I am just acknowledging his well deserved and well earned title.

[Stretch]

A civil discussion is not possible if one side insists on believing savage uncivilized supernatural beliefs. Because they buy some insane notion that they will live forever if they say the right magical words together and sing the right magical songs.

Try and narrow this down to the video discussion. I don't mind opposing points of view especially when well articulated and logical as Berlinski does. He uses his brain and wit without snark and name-calling. He doesn't necessarily agree with the religious point of view but, he is not dismissive and snobby about people WITH a religion-based belief and explanation of these matters.

[Truth Detector]

I have a difficult time discussing anything with insane people.

Don't talk to yourself then.

To believe in magical beings, as you do, requires a level of insanity that I am not willing to recognize as a viable alternative to rational thought.
In short , if you believe ancient supernatural events really happened, you have to be insane.

[Truth Detector]

It can not.
Religion is literally based on a hope and a prayer and evolutionary sciences are based on evidence.

You must have missed the "THEORY" part of "Theory" of Evolution.

[Truth Detector]

You obviously didn't read it. Apes DID evolve, into what you see now.

Becoming human isn't the ultimate goal for every species, if apes can survive and thrive in whatever environment they're in, they have no reason to develop traits other than what they already have.

I did read it. It contained nothing that could be mistaken for scientific. So again I would ask; if WE truly had EVOLVED from apes, how then could there still be apes? I mean, was a special type of APE we EVOLVED from to explain the disconnect?

It is like the THEORY of man caused global warming; it just doesn't square with the FACT that the planet has been warming and cooling for many millions of years before man even existed.

[Leonthecat]

So what, if you have nothing to say then say nothing.

Sent from my Lenovo K8 using Tapatalk

The pseudo intellectual melding of magic and reality in a discussion like this is contrary to civilized thought.
The principals can sound rational while giving credence to magical supernatural thinking if they choose their words carefully enough and tiptoe around the elephant in the room.
I insist that magical thinkers be willing to recognize that what they believe in requires a suspension of their ability to think rationality.
They can pretend to be rational within the minutiae of the discussion but the foundation of their premise is actually insane.
I won't let go of that fact.