[TheRealThing]

You're vastly over simplifying Darwin's work. And you're also using the age-old method of fear to motivate subjects to faith. Without the threat of fear the numbers of faithful would probably decline. That's one reason it's in most holy books, not just the Bible. It helps with the numbers (and I suppose the offering plate) But I'm not going to get into that. That's a philosophical debate based on opinion.

Also, in your opening paragraph discussing how the universe and life began, you said you'd rather believe that the makeup of the universe was created by God than an "exploding rock". And then you go on to ask, "who created the rock?" Well, I suppose that is a good question, but one would also have to ask, "who created God?" I've read quite a bit about that topic and no one has ever really answered that question with anything that makes any sense to me. You can't have it both ways.

As far as elvolution, it is based on scientific research, not faith. And due to the scientific method used by all scientistist it is an on-going process due to new discoveries and more advanced reasearch over time. Your example of Darwin's work is not being fair to this great man of science. As far as the issue of transitory linage, it has been proven with the fossil record many times, with the most notable being the origin of birds. Archaeopteryx is a genus of theropod dinosaur closely related to birds. It lived around 150 million years ago. It could fly and glide, and fossil records show that it had feathers for an advanced form of flight. Palaeontologist have used the fossil record to trace Archaeopteryx to the origin of birds, basicly the first known feathered bird-like species. This is just one of many scientifically accepted examples of transitory life forms. There are many others but I'm not going to write an essay on this subject.

I have no problem with people believing whatever they want. There's nothing wrong with having faith in a creator if that's what the individual want's to do. Just don't slam the science world while doing it. I have been up and down on this issue for much of my life, and I have not totally ruled out the possibility of a higher power, a creator. But there's no way of ever knowing for sure. It is totally based on faith. However, I consider myself a Freethinker who likes to have logical, provable answers to as many questions as possible. That's not always possible but it's what we need to strive for.
I was raised in a Christian household, my parents were Baptist, as are my brothers and sisters. But as I've gotten older I've been more inclinded to drop the fear and not be afraid to ask questions. The question of who created God is a good one to start with. But there are hundreds more. I decided several years ago if I was going to have faith it was not going to be 'Blind Faith'. I want a reason for it. I've felt more enjoyment reading material about this subject in the area of science. I recently watched a documentary about the origin of the universe on Netflix by the great scientist Stephen Hawkin. He and other scientist are constantly searching for answers through their thought and research. Their ideas and research are very enlightening.

Believe me I'm aware of the science and rationale associated with the theory of evolution. What I have been saying to you is that the science associated with the theory was added after the concept was dreamed up. In other words, there was no evidentiary trail that Darwin followed, that would have led him to a point where he was able to then draw his conclusions. Sorting and stacking proven science to support the theory is the major deception. As you mention, the crown jewel used to validate the discovery of transitory life forms is the example of Archaeopteryx and, said validity is much in dispute. I've not seen any other representations of a transitory life form. And FTR, I'm a big fan of science myself.

In any event, true science never contradicts scripture. And, I know for a fact that God never intended for man to get know Him through scientific investigative efforts. 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 (KJV)
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


Simply put, the theory of evolution is meant to give those who prefer not to submit to the authority of God a plausible alternative reality. The theory of evolution provides that alternative, and as you said. It's an ever changing and mutating (evolving if you will) growing repository of man's wisdom.

Therefore, in light of your upbringing and former association with the things of God, we will have to agree to disagree. I went through a time when I felt similarly and God reached out to me anyway, I hope the same for you.