Could it be?

[ImmortalFlame]

Even though it's a thought, it would be reasonable and logical to figure that God could change things when He needed to, or wanted to.

Sure. The question then becomes how this manifests in reality.

I see absolutely no contradiction in the following statement, for example:

"God created all life via a simple act of will, and how this process manifested in the natural world is a billions-of-years long process of magnificent complexity and the formations of natural law, which are effectively the physical expression of God's will."

I only think this is a problem when people force God into a particular box, and feel that they had to have made life in a very specific, instantaneous way (like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat), otherwise it couldn't have been God. I find this kind of thinking insulting to both theism and nature, as it seeks to render both into a childish magic show that is simplified only for the purposes of their comprehending of it.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

What? Why?

It's just change. Evolution. The term "devolution" is meaningless and exposes a deep ignorance of the subject matter.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Many people hold the absolute conviction that they have indeed found God

Those are just beliefs.

Don't expect photos though.

Or anything else besides mere claims and beliefs.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Not sure what you're trying to express with that emoticon.

Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

 

[RestlessSoul]

It's just change. Evolution. The term "devolution" is meaningless and exposes a deep ignorance of the subject matter.

Devolution; descent to a lower or worse state.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

I do not know

So that means that it could also be that "you" simply did not exist.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Those are just beliefs.




Or anything else besides mere claims and beliefs.

Indeed. I do believe.

“Just” and “mere” are your words, and simply reflect your rejection of the value of belief. Of course you do not value what you do not comprehend.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Devolution; descent to a lower or worse state.

Yes. Which isn't applicable to biological evolution.
When genetic changes make the individual end up in a "worse state", then that individual will be outcompeted by those that didn't. That individual's genes will not be spreading throughout the population.

Natural selection will weed it out.

The changes that WILL have a good chance of spreading throughout the population, are those changes that improve the state.

This is what natural selection does and is all about.

The idea of "devolution" flies in the face of everything we know about biology. And common sense.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Indeed. I do believe.

Right. Beliefs. That's all there is.
Like the beliefs in bigfoot and alien abduction.

“Just” and “mere” are your words, and simply reflect your rejection of the value of belief

No. They reflect the nature of religious beliefs. They "just" beliefs and "mere" claims, because there is no evidence to support them. It means that beliefs and claims, is all you have. You can't justify them with rational justification.

Of course you do not value what you do not comprehend.

There's nothing there to comprehend. That's how it goes with mere beliefs that have no rational justification.
Comprehension comes from evidence, predictability, verifiability, explanatory power,...

Religious belief has none of that.

 

[RestlessSoul]

So that means that it could also be that "you" simply did not exist.

Now you’re getting it. Nothing is real.

All that is solid melts into air, into thin air.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Yes. Which isn't applicable to biological evolution.
When genetic changes make the individual end up in a "worse state", then that individual will be outcompeted by those that didn't. That individual's genes will not be spreading throughout the population.

Natural selection will weed it out.

The changes that WILL have a good chance of spreading throughout the population, are those changes that improve the state.

This is what natural selection does and is all about.

The idea of "devolution" flies in the face of everything we know about biology. And common sense.

Not sure why you’re vociferously defending evolution. I don’t see anyone attacking it.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Right. Beliefs. That's all there is.
Like the beliefs in bigfoot and alien abduction.



No. They reflect the nature of religious beliefs. They "just" beliefs and "mere" claims, because there is no evidence to support them. It means that beliefs and claims, is all you have. You can't justify them with rational justification.



There's nothing there to comprehend. That's how it goes with mere beliefs that have no rational justification.
Comprehension comes from evidence, predictability, verifiability, explanatory power,...

Religious belief has none of that.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in thy philosophy

 

[Spirit of Light]

Not sure what you're trying to express with that emoticon.

Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

I have my understanding of it, you have your

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

I have my understanding of it, you have your

Obviously.

I'm asking what your understanding is and why.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Why is "I don't know" not the best answer? There is no faith involved.

Just admit, we are ignorant, don't invent a solution or say "God did it" - keep researching the problem, we may find an answer.

As long as we're honest about our full lack of knowledge.

"I don't know" isn't just the answer to "did God do (whatever)?" It's also the answer to questions like:

- could there be any way by which God's existence would be possible?

- would investigating the question of God's existence be worthwhile?

We should keep these "I don't knows" in mind when deciding what to devote our resources to, or when deciding which undemonstrated claims to take seriously.

 

[Altfish]

As long as we're honest about our full lack of knowledge.

"I don't know" isn't just the answer to "did God do (whatever)?" It's also the answer to questions like:

- could there be any way by which God's existence would be possible?

- would investigating the question of God's existence be worthwhile?

We should keep these "I don't knows" in mind when deciding what to devote our resources to, or when deciding which undemonstrated claims to take seriously.

Agreed, let me give you some similar questions which are equally valid ....

"I don't know" isn't just the answer to "did Woden do (whatever)?" It's also the answer to questions like:

- could there be any way by which Thor's existence would be possible?

- would investigating the question of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's existence be worthwhile?

We should keep these "I don't knows" in mind when deciding what to devote our resources to, or when deciding which undemonstrated claims to take seriously.

 

[Spirit of Light]

So that means that it could also be that "you" simply did not exist.

The body did not exist ( I believe the soul/spirit did)

 

[Spirit of Light]

Obviously.

I'm asking what your understanding is and why.

My understanding of the OP is that God created the physical world, and now it is run on auto evolution, thats why I believe both God and evolution is correct

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in thy philosophy

I'm certain there are.
But until there's evidence for any specific thing, there's no reason to believe / accept it.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Not sure why you’re vociferously defending evolution. I don’t see anyone attacking it.

I'm not.
I'm merely addressing your statement about "devolution".