Do you believe in evolution or what your holy book says?

[Epacris]

It's OK Nelle, I get it now, BW's explanation is good. You (I mean that somewhat collectively but not in any way accusingly ) can accept the adaptation bit, but you don't accept that adaptation goes so far as the creation of new species. Sure.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Hmm, I'm not sure if I would put it that way either....

I believe that God created humans. I believe that God created animals. I believe that, due to imperfection, there are mutations, and there are also adaptations, whether that be from imperfection as well, or whether it was something God 'put' in us after Eden.

But I don't believe that monkeys evolved into humans. This goes back to the Ark thread, about God not necessarily needing 2 of every single species on earth in the Ark - there would only have needed to be 2 of every KIND of animal, not including the ones who wouldn't be adversely affected by the Flood. Then, relying on adapation and mutation and cross breeding, accidental or otherwise, we would get all the animals we have today. Am I making any sense at all? Probably not, its Friday and I can't be bothered any more

And I'm really sorry if I have upset you Rach - I forget that scientists can be just as emotional over scientific theory as I can be over biblical teachings

[Epacris]

Oh 'ya dag Berenice, no, no, no I was not upset at all, I didn't mean to give that impression. But yes, I am passionate!

Thanks, as always, everyone for sharing.

[Dedicated Doula Gillian]

TD - get the book...
The Greatest Hoax on Earth? by Jonathan Sarfati
if you keen to find out or ask some more questions let me know...

[LionsandBears]

Just butting in here cos I think it's fascinating.

From what I've read recently, the idea isn't that humans evolved from monkeys or apes, but that we evolved from a common ancestor, we adapted to different environments and different requirements. Given how long ago it was though, it's difficult finding enough evidence (fossils, old stone works etc). It's not too dissimilar to how foxes and wolves evolved from a common ancestor. Now they cannot interbreed, due to the level of mutation, but there is still commonality. I think humans and chimpanzees share about 95% common DNA.

For instance, it's the development of the brain and the opposing thumb that lead humans to become what we are today. Apes have the opposing thumb, but not the brain. Though apparently elephants have a better brain, but not the opposing thumb

Also, something there is scientific proof of is that all human beings are descended from 1 woman who lived in what's now eastern Kenya over 60,000 years ago (they call her Eve). I sent my DNA off once to have my genetic history taken and it showed the root taken by my mitocondrial (sp) DNA - from Africa, to northern Europe (like so many others). Check out this site:
https://genographic.nationalgeograph...hic/index.html

I'm in the middle of watching "The Human Journey" which looks at human migration out of Africa. The current theory is that the continents were closer 60,000 years ago and people walked out of Africa, across what is now the Red Sea to the Arabian peninsula and lived for a while in an area caled "Eden". That's as far as I've got, so will be interesting to watch more of it.

BBL

[Arcadia]

Tashybabe, you speak my thoughts exactly. I loved that series!

I was just about to ask people's reaction to the genetic theories about common ancestry dating back to Africa. I think the genetic support for evolutionary theory is quite compelling, by tracing mtDNA.

[Turkish Delight]

Okay ladies.... Can we change the topic? I have another question to ask, which i have been meaning to ask for ages, but i thought it might offend people. If you are offended...i am deeply sorry.

Muhammed (PBUH) died of natural causes (old age). Muhammed (M) battled in many holy wars during his life, and all his followers protected him. I just wanted to ask, why didn't Jesus' followers stand up for him and allowed him to be crucified?

[butterfly_warrior]

The simplistic answer is that if Jesus wasn't cricified, then he would not have been able to rise from the dead.

I guess there's so many questions on that topic and I guess the simple answer is that it was necessary to fulfill God's plan.

When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane one of the disciples picked up a sword and chopped off the ear of one of the soldiers - Jesus told him to put the sword away. The relevant passage in the bible if you want to look it up is found in Matthew 26.

BW

[sneakysparkle]

actually TD they did!
Matthew 26:50-54 in the bible says -

50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

and also in Luke 22

49When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

oops - was typing as BW posted!!

[Peg]

Muhammed (PBUH) died of natural causes (old age). Muhammed (M) battled in many holy wars during his life, and all his followers protected him. I just wanted to ask, why didn't Jesus' followers stand up for him and allowed him to be crucified?

One thing you may not understand about Jesus is that before he was a man, he was a heavenly angel....Gods foremost angel....Gods first created being. From heaven, God sent Jesus to earth to be born as a man in order to sacrifice himself.

His sole purpose was to die for the sins of mankind so that mankind could be reunited with God. So, Jesus would not have wanted his followers to try and save him, rather he allowed himself to be unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit in order to achieve his purpose.

This is why christians are told that thru their faith in Jesus sacrifice, they can gain salvation. That salvation is spoken about by Mohammad, you would know of it as 'paradise' The bible also speaks of it as a paradise, but one that will be established right here on earth by Gods doing.