Your beliefs

[agapooka]

I've always seen the "random chance" theory as a pat answer to many things that we cannot understand.

I'd rather admit that we can't understand it before saying that random chance has anything to do with it. Besides, nothing really happens randomly. Everything has an effect on everything else, and so the cause/effect mechanism is so complex that we cannot understand it very well. That, however, in no way implies that anything would happen without a cause. If there is a cause, is it random?

The more complex a system is, the more difficult it is to predict its next "move", as the amount of information required would be well beyond any empirical means of gathering data. This gives the impression of "random", but to call anything random is somewhat naïve.

Agapooka

[[KMA]Avenger]

I've always seen the "random chance" theory as a pat answer to many things that we cannot understand.

I'd rather admit that we can't understand it before saying that random chance has anything to do with it. Besides, nothing really happens randomly. Everything has an effect on everything else, and so the cause/effect mechanism is so complex that we cannot understand it very well. That, however, in no way implies that anything would happen without a cause. If there is a cause, is it random?

The more complex a system is, the more difficult it is to predict its next "move", as the amount of information required would be well beyond any empirical means of gathering data. This gives the impression of "random", but to call anything random is somewhat naïve.

Agapooka

great post, i agree completely.

[SSG EnterTheLion]

I believe there are beings out there who COULD be classed as gods either due to their physical, mental or technological development.

The bible talks about all of humanity descending from Adam and Eve, which I think is quite impossible. You would need a far far larger amount of genetic diversity for a race to thrive.

We have alot of evidence that makes evolution more than just a theory. Bones have revealed the steps in human evolution over millions of years.

But, of course it could be that creationists are right too. Could a being or beings have introduced life to this planet, especially intelligent life and then let nature/ evolution take it's course? I think this is the most probable course of events. But for now all we can do is just speculate.

I do believe in God or atleast a being or beings of such power, but I disagree that we should worship such a being. Every intelligent species must make it's own way, it's own mistakes and triumphs and not hope for a bail out when we screw it all up. If we uplifted the chimps or dolphins, would we want them to treat us as gods?

[Ashu]

I believe there are beings out there who COULD be classed as gods either due to their physical, mental or technological development.

The bible talks about all of humanity descending from Adam and Eve, which I think is quite impossible. You would need a far far larger amount of genetic diversity for a race to thrive.

We have alot of evidence that makes evolution more than just a theory. Bones have revealed the steps in human evolution over millions of years.

But, of course it could be that creationists are right too. Could a being or beings have introduced life to this planet, especially intelligent life and then let nature/ evolution take it's course? I think this is the most probable course of events. But for now all we can do is just speculate.

I do believe in God or atleast a being or beings of such power, but I disagree that we should worship such a being. Every intelligent species must make it's own way, it's own mistakes and triumphs and not hope for a bail out when we screw it all up. If we uplifted the chimps or dolphins, would we want them to treat us as gods?

The head of the Human Genome Project is a .... christian!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Collins_(geneticist)#Religious_views

[SSG EnterTheLion]

I know of many scientists who are religious. How each reconciles their religious beliefs with their scientific is up to them. As long as they are objective when dealing in matters of science.

[Colton]

I do believe in God or atleast a being or beings of such power, but I disagree that we should worship such a being. Every intelligent species must make it's own way, it's own mistakes and triumphs and not hope for a bail out when we screw it all up.

Nicely put

If we uplifted the chimps or dolphins, would we want them to treat us as gods?

Honestly, some might..

[Kikaz]

I believe I'll take a nap in a few hours.