SJ> ... Apart from the fact that
> the scientific understanding of evolution is that it is a mindless,
> purposeless, materialistic natural process:
> [G.G. Simpson quote snipped]
Steve my friend, I wouldn't let an atheist get away with that one, so I'm
sure not going to let you do so.
Philosophical scientISM (materialism) teaches that evolution is a
mindless, purposeless process.
Some scientISTS understand evolution as a mindless, purposeless process.
Some people CLAIM that science teaches that evolution is a mindless,
purposeless process.
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| !!!!! BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT _SCIENCE_ REALLY SAYS !!!!! |
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(Sorry, I'm not yelling at anyone in particular. I'm yelling for
catharsis. :-)
The scientific understanding of evolution is that it is a stochastic
process in which events which are not caused by the organisms in question
can affect their survival and/or their genetic information. But as we
theists (and a few atheists) know, that is NOT necessarily the same as
being a mindless, purposeless process. (Proberbs 16:33 again.)
Is this an important distinction? You better believe it is! I feel
strongly that this point needs to be made over and over and over and over,
in as many forums as possible. Can you tell? :-)
We now return to my mild-mannered self.
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"I wonder if your feelings |
on this matter are clear...." | Loren Haarsma
--the Emperor (_Return_of_the_Jedi_) | lhaarsma@opal.tufts.edu