Evolution questions...

[reitz]

Originally posted by: johnnytightlips
I don't want this to turn into a flame war. I was talking to my friend after class (we watched a movie discussing some aspects of evolution) and she goes "I don't believe in that evolution sh!t"... she's a devout Catholic so I'm sure her upbringing was evolution is devil talk, etc.

My questions were
1. What is the Catholic church's stance on evolution?

The Catholic Church accepts the "theory" of evolution, and has admitted that it was wrong in its early persecution of Darwin and his theories.

2. What is a good site explaining evolution?

Talk Origins

She said "well why don't apes give birth to humans", so obviously she doesn't understand the concept too well.

She needs to understand that humans did not evolve from apes, rather humans and apes evolved from the same common ancestor. It's a common misconception, but I've found that people who constantly push that angle are generally not the type of open their minds enough to actually understand the concepts behind evolution.

3. Where are all the "missing-links"... Neanderthals and the like?

Most of the "missing-links" that are going to be found have been. Searching for the link between pre-human ancestors and homo sapiens is akin to finding the link between pre-historic birds and the modern serinus canaria.

The fossil record is incomplete, and always will be that way. The environment conditions necessary for the formation of fossils are not exactly common. Ask your friend to take a look around her...how many environments can she find that will preserve any of today's species in fossil form for millions of years?

 

[reitz]

Originally posted by: jamerdean
You can not dissmiss cold hard facts, but you can not dissmiss faith and belief that has been proven over and over.

I most certainly can (and do) dismiss faith when used as an argument. You faith is meaningless to me; I don't know you, and I don't know where your faith comes from, so I have no reason to consider as valid any arguments that flow from your faith.