<< I don't see on these boards a sense of "frantic posting," and I'd prefer not to fall under that general category. >>
I never lumped you into that category, but my impression of many fundamentalists around here is that they are desperately clinging to a belief that they know deep down is mistaken. That is my impression from the incessant evolution v. creation debate that goes on around here...your mileage may vary depending on which threads you read.
<< I see nothing in nature to support the idea that there is no God, just like several people see nothing in nature to support the validity of that position. >>
I don't recall saying that there is no God. In fact, I do not believe evolution and creation to be mutually exclusive at all.
<< Yeah, and the "deeply-held misconceptions" line came across a bit arrogant too. >>
If you interpreted that statement as arrogance then that is your problem, not mine. I think the anti-evolution sentiment of many posters here certainly qualifies as "deeply-held", and from the ignorance they have displayed in previous threads it is clear that they have many "misconceptions" about evolution, and science in general. That's what happens when they argue with insufficient background knowledge. If I had the balls to debate theology with the Pope then I would expect my misconceptions about Catholicism to be exposed in the same way.
<< If we can look at the same data and come to different conclusions, how is either side supported? Why should we accept the a priori assumptions required to come to the same conclusions regarding the same data that you do? >>
Just because two people draw seperate conclusions from a single collection of data does not preclude the possibility that one conclusion is clearly right and the other wrong. There are no "assumptions" necessary to arrive at a conclusion that favors evolution--cold hard data alone is sufficient.
<< To me, speciation isn't that big of a deal. Scientists define what makes a species, so naturally they would be able to define transitions between them. And I don't think that anybody's faith is dependent solely on the falsity of macroevolution. Do you know anyone like that, and what do they use to justify that position?
Every such "potentially damaged article" in the past, such as the Archaeoraptor hoax, has not withstood the test of time. It's not like we need to "jump" on it. It'll sort itself out naturally. And like you said, if it is confirmed, it's not like that'll hurt my feelings any. >>
You have a sensible approach but I have met many people, both personally and here at ATOT, who have been brainwashed into thinking that evolution and creation cannot both be true...so that if evolution is ever universally accepted as a real pheonomen then creation, a core belief of their religion, will be completely invalidated. These are the kind of people I would have expected to "jump" on this article and you can do a search for "evolution" if you'd like to read some of their posts.
<< I'm not going to argue that you're obviously a misinformed beast who rabidly seeks at every opportunity to champion the dogmatic doctrines of Godless evolution, and I would request at least same respect. I apologize for whatever previous run-ins you may have had with these "rabid fundamentalists," but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't apply that as a blanket statement for everyone who takes the same data you have, yet comes to a different conclusion. >>
I never applied it as a blanket statement. I only said that there existed "rabid fundamentalists" who happen to be insecure about their faith (IMHO) and feel threatened by evolution. Let's not pretend like these individuals do not exist. I am genuinely glad to see that there are still some Christians out there capable of independent thought, and I sympathize with you and your frustration over some of your less flexible associates. A few bad apples, I guess...
<< Who defines what macroevolution is, anyway? The church, or the scientific community? So why should our faith rest on whether macroevolution is true or false -- all you'd have to do then, as the scientific community, is redefine macroevolution. We both know it would just turn into a political game at that point, with both sides arguing about how the other is stupid, misinformed, or <--GASP--> not playing by the rules. >>
LOL...that is the typical course of an evolution v. creation debate here on ATOT, isn't it? It inevitably breaks down into empty rhetoric and bickering over semantics.
<< One more thing. How does something "apear"ing in Nature mandate its "validity" and "credibility"? The whole Archaeoraptor thing was published in National Geographic >>
It does not mandate them, but it sure doesn't hurt matters any. Nature is one of the premiere scientific journals out there (no comparison with NG). Of course every paper needs to be examined and verified individually, but the fact that this study is being published in Nature at least guarantees some level of professionalism and legitimacy. This study cannot be brushed off as a hoax (I know you weren't suggesting that) just because some people may not like the conclusions it draws.
Anyway, I really don't want this to turn into the same old argument about evolution v. creation. If you would like to discuss anything else go ahead and PM me. I am more interested to hear opinions about the article (Remember?? The reason this thread was started? 😉)