Your definition of theory is not how it is used in science such as in referring to the theories of evolution (or gravitation). Evolution is as established as anything else is in science, and is the basis of modern biology.

The evidence has overwhelmingly supported evolution despite all the attempts of creationists to come up with bogus arguments.

Have a good holiday too.

I have never heard of the “Theory of Gravity”. Honestly, I have only heard of the Law of Gravity. Just like I have never heard of the “Law of Evolution”, only the “Evolutionary Theory”.

Of course there are different meanings to the word “theory”, but could I suggest this one: “a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.”

Your earthquake and volcano explanation to show that God is not necessary in the explanation of what is – is mind boggling to me. The more I study a painting or sculpture, the more I appreciate the work of the artist, not the other way around. Sounds like you are clinging to your atheistic presupposition no matter what the evidence shows.

Anyway – Merry Christmas!? I do hope you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and friends – really!

You misunderstand the meaning of “theory” in science as opposed to common use. Just like the theory of gravity, the theory of evolution is accepted as fact by science. The more we study life and understand it, the more we find that attributing the development of complex life forms to a designer is unnecessary.

Attributing natural phenomenon to a god is what is done by primitive people who do not understand the science. Just as it is no longer for us to attribute earth quakes and the eruptions of volcano to the gods, it is no longer necessary to attribute the development of complex life forms to a god.

You wrote: “Evolution provides the framework to modern biology. It is not possible to understand biology without evolution.”

When did evolution move from THEORY to LAW? Has it? Isn’t it still the Theory of Evolution?

It is my understanding that as we discover life in its infinitesimally small forms, we realize that there is a design and designer. Wasn’t and introduction and acceptance of evolution 150 years ago to supplant God?

Fundamentalists who take the bible literally often find that evolution contradicts the bible and therefore reject the science in favor of their religious beliefs. There are others who manage to reconcile both views but to do so means not taking the bible 100% literally which some fundamentalists are unwilling to do.

Evolution provides the framework to modern biology. It is not possible to understand biology without evolution. Advances in our understanding of biology and genetics will continue to lead to developments such as stem cells which impact public policy. People cannot make informed decisions without at least some basic understanding. If people accept the fundamentalist view of creationism and reject evolution, including preventing the teaching of evolution in schools, we will have an uninformed populace which is not equipped to deal with such issues. We will also be at an increasing disadvantage compared to other countries which do not have religion interfering with education

Accepting scientific explanations doesn’t require that one not believe in a God. Many scientists believe that a God set it all in motion, and see science as explaining God’s work. Such people believe in evolution, as opposed to the fundamentalists who claim that the entire science of evolution is incorrect.

The challenge is for people with presuppositions that are 180 degrees apart – to still work together to solve the challenges present in our country. Does the belief, or not, in evolution present a serious obstacle to people working together to make “a more perfect union”?

As a conservative, I thank you for writing so clearly your opinions, which forces me to think more deeply upon my own.

If you read what I actually wrote about Huckabee rather that mischaracterize what is said you’ll see that there is no basis for your claim that I “was not listening carefully to what Huckabee said.”

You cloearly do not understand evloution from this portion of your response, as well as to your comparison to a cornfield and mischaracterization of evolution as saying “it just happened that way by itself.” That is not what evolution says at all. Evolution provides an explanation for how complex life fords developed.

Before you reject modern scientific explanations you might first try to understand them. You present the same mentality as primitive men who didn’t understand why there was rain, earth quates or eruptions of volcanos and therefore attributed them to the gods.

I live in Iowa, and every time I pass a recently planted cornfield, with the crop about a foot high, I instictively, and rationally know that a farmer has done it. How, can I ask, do some of us look at our world, in all its order and wonder, and say, “No Creator, it just happened that way all by itself.” Hmmmmm.