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Re: Evolution

AC
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SubjectRe: Evolution
FromAC
Date2002-04-18 21:00 (2002-04-18 21:00)
Message-ID<3cbf15d0.80851448@news2.randori.com>
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Newsgroupsalt.fan.tolkien
FollowsMarc A. Moniz
On Thu, 18 Apr 2002 18:45:39 GMT, "Marc A. Moniz" <mmonizNOSPAM@nyc.rr.com>wrote:

Marc A. Moniz
"paulh" <paulh@fahncahn.com>wrote in message news:odstbuodvqjepva0u7pi6uuvcvjcupcmrk@4ax.com...

paulh
On Thu, 18 Apr 2002 10:05:33 GMT, "Conrad Dunkerson" <conrad.dunkerson@worldnet.att.net>wrote:

Conrad Dunkerson
"rand mair fheal" <mair_fheal@yahoo.com>wrote in message news:mair_fheal-1704021617150001@c73.ppp.tsoft.com...

rand mair fheal
evolution is not a theory its a fact

Conrad Dunkerson
It is both - depending on how the term is being used.

paulh
People seem to confuse the term theory with something that isn't

Marc A. Moniz
proven, don't

paulh
they?

Marc A. Moniz
Yes, this is a common misconception. Scientific theories are not speculations or even well-supported hypotheses. A scientific theory is a coherent body of interconnected statements, strongly supported by evidence and based on reasoning that exaplains observations or phenomena. It is a complex of statements and thus does not stand or fall on the basis of a single critical test. Theories evolve as they are confronted with new data. Parts of the theory may be discarded or modified and new parts may be added as new information is gathered. It is the best explanation that we have based on the evidence that we have at the time, whether it's the Wave Theory or Particle Theory; the String Theory, Bubble Theory, or Big Bang Theory; or if it's Lamarkism, Darwinsim, or the Modern Synthesis.

I blame the education system for this. When I was in school, there seemed to be little effort in explaining what exactly science is. Now that I have kids in school, it appears to be no better. That is how various conservative Christian groups can try to sneak creationism (or its new and clever moniker, Intelligent Design) into the schools. Since most legislators have almost no idea what science really is, or the philosophy behind it, fast talking evanglists can hoodwink them.

I grew up in a fairly conservative Christian home, and in my church evolution was, essentially, inspired by Satan. While it was accepted that the the universe was more than 6,000 years old, Man was not. We had literature that explained how scientists were out to create an atheistic society, and how evolution was just smoke and mirrors. One particular book even had a picture of a room full of scientists debating evolution, and that was considered to be a bad thing!

As I got older, I began to explore this dreaded and evil evolution (secretly, of course) and discovered that the only smoke and mirror show was the one my church was putting on. They had done everything from create strawmen to taking quotes out of context. In fact, it was my church that was being dishonest. At that point, I washed my hands of the whole affair.

--- AaronC