I'll add my little two bits worth to this evolution argument (I hope you
haven't had too much mail flooding your account).
The quotes on evolution are valid because when Darwin first wrote his
book, it was merely a hypothesis that seems to fit the facts (as many
other theories do). Fossils aren't very definitive proofs because it's
like piecing together history from just the remains. The argument I find
more convincing though is the very recent evidence coming from DNA
analysis. Between a ape and a man there is only a one person difference
in their DNA strain. Between all mammals, DNA differs less than ten
percent.
If one thinks about the billions of years that have passed by (based on
rock samples and estimated age of the earth) the reshuffling of DNA over
the years based on chance would seem to fit the things we observe about
our DNA and the animals around us. I just described part of what
evolution.
DNA is strong evidence and proof that can be tested by scientists, heck
even my science students. It's repeatable. Therein lies my faith, faith
that is rooted in observation. I am prepared for other suggestions
though; it would just take evidence as strong as DNA!
I throw this in as a last comment. I think religion and science are based
on two separate grounds. Religion is based on faith. Science is based on
observation (empirical evidence). By my definition, faith has more to do
with making a leap of faith. I would not use the term to say, "I have
faith that this rock will fall to the Earth." I know a cause - the
Earth's gravitational pull - and I can support it with evidence in the
moon, around me, and below me.
Ah well, there is that. Not a full argument, but enough of one. Feel free
to reply.
Chris
