Michael, Certainly you are not going to equate evolution with the law of
gravity, are you?
MWF
Why certainly Walt. Within the scientific community both are at
the level of "theory", i.e., and explanatory paradigm of general
applicability which organizes all available data and allows predictions
based on the expressed laws of the theory.
And both are considered among the best documented and proved
theories of science.
~~~~~~~~~
Walt Jr.;
If you are, then which form/version of evolution do you hold to?
~~~~~~~~~~~
MWF
There's only one Walt. The change in gene frequencies over time
through natural selection.
The arguments within the theory are about the exact mechanisms
which achieve that result and/or about the overall importance of any
particular mechanism as the primary engine of that change; either
overall or at any particular time.
Walt Jr.
Michael, I asked Till for 3 lines of proof for macro-evolutionary
theory...maybe you could help him out.
MWF
1.) The age of the earth is estimated at ~4.5 billion years; the
oldest surface rocks are ~3.5 billion years old. In those oldest of
rocks the simplest of fossils (similar to modern bacteria/blue-green
algae) are found. Over time the assorted fossils change, becoming more
and more similar to modern forms as the age of the fossiliferous
formations decreases.
2.) The distribution of species on oceanic Islands follows
patterns which accord with what the evolutionary model of species
origination and mechanisms of distribution would predict---and with no
others. (quickie facts: both amphibians and mosquitos are of extremely
ancient vintage, and are distributed all over the earth--including
deserts. None were present on deep ocean islands such as Hawaii prior
to the influence of modern civilization. Which makes perfect sense
under evolutionary theory, but no other model. Again)
3.) The degree of difference between the DNA of species follows
the pattern which evolutionary theory predicts. (The longer it has been
since evolutionary models predict two species have shared a common
ancestor, the greater the difference in their respective DNA)
So there you are Walt. Three just off the top of my lay head.
It becomes quite apparent that you haven't read any of the books
I've recommended, or you wouldn't ask such silly questions Walt.
Although I would not be in the least surprised if your seminary
library doesn't contain copies of the books I recommended they are
certainly available somewhere in Dallas, and both are still in print so
you can buy your own copies if you wish.
It's a very big intellectual world outside the stifling (whether
you _think_ yourself stifled or not) confines of your seminary. You
might try and acquaint yourself with it.
If you would like a list of URL's applicable to evolution and
abiogenisis so you can poke around on the web, I have a nice long one I
can send you.
Ciao.
-- Michael Fisher, ET1/SS USN ret., law student* * * He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. Thomas Paine