[loser]

Goyboy: Evolution simply means change. Because life is DYNAMIC, it only exists in change. Therefore, evolution (change) is an essential ingredient of life. I repeat, life only exists through change.

However, evolutionists (that are atheists) want to include 'common descent' in the definition of evolution. For this reason, we argue needlessly here over mere semantics. Of course I believe in evolution...I believe in life! However, I am a Creationist and, because God is intelligent, I believe in Intelligent Design. In my understanding, science and religion (Christianity) are in perfect harmony. There is no conflict, only gaps in knowledge. One of the smartest things that I ever say is, "I don't know".

Laziness is a curable condition, brisbane - given the determination. Who was it said "Beware of the man who has only one book" (meaning the bible)?

You've never seen my library! While I probably have 15 Bibles or so, my science collection is literally in the hundreds. Still, that ONE book (in terms of wisdom) reigns SUPREME!

I still prefer my chemistry books, though...and psychology...and nature.

You know, brisbane, you sometimes cross the line between being funny and being offensive... I don't intend to start defending the global reputation of either Darwin or professor Dawkins - I don't need to, they are both more than capable of seeing off the idle scoffers. However, it saddens me to see your constant unfunny reference to "the Dawk" - I can assure you he speaks very highly of you in private!

Now, you're being funny, aren't you?

Otherwise, it rather scares me to see your unhealthy obsession with 'Dick'. Honestly, professor or not, he's just a man...really. The same goes for Chucky.

Please don't go ruining my belief in the Flintstones... they are on telly so it must be true that man and dinosaur co-existed. What more proof can you want?

What he is trying to surreptitiously tell you is that dinosaurs still exist today as they have for the last several thousand years. Crocodiles, caymans, and alligators are just one small group...there are many more.

But I think you will find, statistically speaking, that there is a direct correlation between academic credentials and a tendency to reject religious explanations. In other words, theistic scientists are in a very significant minority (as low as 3% according to some research) compared with the average population. Read into this what you will, but the obvious conclusion would be that belief in scripture is not compatible with a higher than average IQ (but see another thread on this very debate if you are interested).

If your intelligence quotient was as high as you imply, you would notice that you are comparing vomit and ice cream. Academic credentials is vomit; I.Q. is ice cream...yummy.

In academia (the Hallowed Halls of Hokum), indoctrination and conformity are the norm. Rebels tend to be ostracized. IOW, mindless sheep is the product of our universities.

Being at one time a Christian myself,...

Shock me and tell me that you were other than a Catholic...

I guess some individuals find it too difficult to renounce the comforting aspects of belief in a deity, and set about re-doubling their efforts to convince themselves that God exists, and thus find a purpose for their lives... I can empathise with this to some extent, having been there myself in my youth. However, as soon as you have the courage to admit that the quest for reason in a chimera, everything falls into place with amazing clarity.

What is comforting in the realization that your ever move is being recorded as evidence against you in the future? Isn't that why people have fear (trepidation) of 'Big Brother'?

Amazing clarity? Like becoming Clear in Scientology?

Life for an atheist can be as 'spiritual' as the most devour Christian, and if this were not the case, my own life would be pretty bleak.

Well, good for you. I'm a devout (devoured, too) Christian and my life is pretty bleak. Every day, I get one step closer to death...and science still hasn't come up with a cure for what ails me. If I wasn't so stupid, I'd probably take drugs.

I believe NOT. Whilst the Roman Catholic church O'Connor represents wilfully obstructs the diffusion of education, as in Africa, where the terrible scourge AIDS is endemic - that is hardly contributing to the progress of science.

So, is it Christianity's morals that is exacerbating the AIDS epidemic or is the lack thereof? If sexual promiscuity and immorality was curtailed by invoking Christian mores, would AIDS begin to decline?

t is immature to suppose that mankind is incapable of shaping its own future under its own steam. God has never been seen to intervene in terrible human situations (eg, the holocaust) - so why should we assume that he has any plans for our perfection? Where progress in alleviating suffering has been made, it has been due entirely to man's resourcefulness.

You're mistaken. God works through PEOPLE, not some finger from the sky. God intervenes every second of every day as some person full of God's love and spirit helps another human being in their time of need. Compassion and love is how God works and He shows it through His individual servants...human beings just like us...if we would be so inclined.