><>I sent this to everyone involved in the discussion > ><> >Good point, but then the theory of evolution does not lend itself to observation, repeatablility, or replication. It has never been observed, only postulated. >
How do you expect the same species to evolve twice? So, no repeatability. So what? There are plenty of other clues... and the DNA may show even more, given enough time. I think they're still building the human genome; once they get to a whole series of genomes... they'll probably get the whole thing straight.
But then, the whole idea of applying scientific approach when talking about religious views is just plainly ridiculous, IMO. "Credo quia absurdum est", if you like, but don't call it science. One either believes, or thinks logically. I'll get back to this.
>This is a question of truth claims and is not a question of bashing. I suppose if I spent the time and was a good enough writer I could present a good argument here. For me, from a Reformed Christian perspective, the whole question comes down to the definition of tolerance. In my understanding, toleration is the ability to live with,work with, and generally get along with others of differing views without having to accept the truth claims of their religion or philosophy. The more current understanding of toleration is that your must accept the validity of all views and not place a higher moral value on any of your own beliefs. This means that the only people who are wrong are Christians...
And others too, if and when they try to impose their religious views upon others. Just a little detail: you have no idea how annoyed I am with the whole Christmas thing, the way it permeats every corner of life. Yesterday we needed to buy something, wanted it green, and guess what - there was only one particular shade of green available. Or when there's something classified as "spiritual" or "inspirational" - and it turns out to be nothing but religious. Do these guys really think there's neither spirit nor inspiration anywhere else but in their own courtyard?
>I did just that, even though it almost bankrupted me, but I think you would be surprised to find the level of educational competency at most Christian Schools far above that in the general public educational system. I mean, after all, where did the basis for public education come from. If the universe is not ordered then education itself is just an exercise in subjectivity.
Universe is chaotic; it's the instances of life that locally decrease entropy. So yes, life on Earth tends to induce order.
I think the basis for public education came from the renaissance thinkers of the time - Voltaire comes to mind, Ian Komensky (Comenius) et al. And these guys were not on best terms with the churches of their time, from what I know. But then, I may have got my public schooling in a wrong school.
