Evolution and Religion

[Icarion]

So where do you stand on this issue? Atheist or religious? Accept or deny evolution? What reasons do you have?

Personally as an atheist, I have no problems with the theory of evolution, in fact I've just spent quite a lot of time studying it! I think its a wonderfully elegant and obvious conclusion to draw. I've read many scientific books explaining the theory, although I think the comedian Dave Gorman actually has a good contribution....

"You talk to the creationists and they say 'so where are the intermediate fossils? The ones that are half reptile, half fish?' And you think 'ooh, thats a very good question!'. So you go to the evolutionists, and you ask them where the fossils are, and they say 'Here they are!'"

Any other points of view?

[Buzz]

[glow=red,2,300]Well personally, no offence to anyone but I feel the same way,atheist that is. I believe religion is one of the worst things to have ever happened to mankind, before anyone jumps down my throat, think about it, just how many wars have there been over the last 1-2 thousand years because of religion, think of the crusades and all way upto todays modern wars, Iraq for one, you may think Iraq is not a "holy" war but to the muslims it is, and just how many times has Bush quoted with "God on our side?" just how many "gods" are there? Look as well at Israel and Palenstine, fighting not just because they are a different culture but because they are different religions too, yes I know this one has a bit more than just religion at its core.
I remember visiting Yugoslavia before the war there, it was a beautiful country, now look at it torn apart again not just because of culture, but religion as well.
Need one a bit closer to home??? look no further than Ireland, need I say more?
I know religion can be used for a lot of good, but it also can be used for a lot of evil too in the wrong hands, I am not saying anyone is wrong to "believe", just think how stupid I will look when I die and I possibly find out there is some immortal being out there, ZAP straight to a nice hot place for me I merely choose not to believe based on my own views of this worlds state.[/glow]

[-(aaK)- Nav]

I find myself atheist for a multitude of reasons personally.

Although I do not have a firm grasp on evolutionary biology I did used to study Darwins theory breifly, and I found it most intuitive and eye opening. Evolution is quite water tight I find in comparrison to religeon.

When I look at religeon I see conflict. Each religeon has at sometime took upon itself a "Holy Crusade" in an effort to rid their world of those who "Oppose" their chosen messiah. I find its ludicrous to kill for a religeon purely as religeon is meant to "Show people the way" in its own method and preach peace.

As far as im concerned, its a safety blanket for those who are not ready to accept man and its downfalls. Its something to help escape realisation man is alone and slowly is destroying itself. And it is this which is helping us to destroy ourselves. A refusal to accept responsibalities, to accept much of the strife, if not all of it is by our own doings. I suppose you could refer to religeon as the original sin if you will. If we refuse to realise that we stand alone and that theres no "Divine safety net" then maybe we can finally work towards freeing ourselves of the yolk of religeon and ultimately find a way too live without destroying eachother in the process.

[-(aaK)- Deltz]

Oooh a goodie. My view's a very, sarcastic outlook on life. Nothing new there.
How anyone can disagree with evolution i have no idea.
The whole universe is changing as i type.
Even people evolve each day of their lives.
I've read some books on it but i'm no expert, Richard Dawkins The Selfish Gene and The Blind Watchmaker are good.

Religion to me personally is a waste of time, i don't need faith or an afterlife to make my life complete.

I don't need a God, a messiah or a story to tell me i should be nice to people, not kill, etc.
I don't need a set of morale rules to follow, it just seems to me that people need to be told what common sense is these days.
Could make a great new religion and call it Obviously.
My personal view for religion is,
Get Over Death....so that you can start living......

[KyWish]

What has been said already reflects my views well..
I personally am not against faith in general, but when it comes to worshiping a god...ik...
I mean, look around...so many people blindly follow what noone can see or hear, touch or feel...its insane, and governments around the world are run on it. I loathe it in the harshest way.
Oh yes "God God God! God makes everything happen and decides everyones fate and he loves you!"
Oh, I'm sure that something truely good would allow all that goes on in this world to do so...but enough of my ranting.
Its enough put that I am atheist.

[Buzz]

[glow=red,2,300]thats us all set for a grade A toasting then [/glow]

[-(aaK)- Nav]

Nail on the head Silverwing, got it in one.

[KyWish]

-(aaK)- said:

[glow=red,2,300]thats us all set for a grade A toasting then [/glow]

There is no hell buzz, remember?

[Buzz]

KyWish said:

There is no hell buzz, remember?

[glow=red,2,300]there is a hell m8 believe me its where I work [/glow]

[Icarion]

Well, you all seem to have very much the same opinions as me! I think religion has very little going for it, really. Science helps us understand the world, and religion takes us back to the superstitious dark ages. I have no problem thinking of myself as existing here because of some minute probability and accident of birth/DNA replication. I think its amazing I'm here in a fantasticly improbable but incredible world, and I dont need to imagine some creator to give my life meaning, or feel like someone loves me.

All religions thrive on conflict with other religions, that's why they exist... to make one group of people feel more special than others, cos they are the chosen people. And as such I think that although they preach kindness, and some people do carry that out (for which they should be commended), the basis of religion is inherantly a Bad Thing.

[-(aaK)- zZzTheAngel]

I am relgious! So i guess i better do my part and bash you guys with a bit stick and tell you all you are going to HELL!
OR WAIT i could do the other thing and inform you all that there is a middle ground and that i am on it!

I am not a text book chrisitian and i dont run around saying things like evolution doesnt happen. Which is what most people seem to expect from relgious people. That is not the case i can read the bible and pray without having to deny areas of science.
My way of thinking about it really pisses off hardline Atheists and people that are really into science. I say this cause on another forum that i am a member on we had a big disscussion about science versus relgion that went on for about 50posts mostly me and 1 other person and lets just say if we were in the same room i think he would have beat me to death with a test book about evolution lol.

My opinion on evolution and science in general that seems to be in complete contrast to the bible is that mabye we are taking the bible to much at face value. I tend to find that i can just say that the bible is just heavily simplified to make it easier for people to understand. Think how old the bible is and how little we knew back then. For example god creates adam and eve. You wouldnt expect people to understand the ideas behiend evolution at like 0AD would u? What i think is that mabye we did evolve from monkeys (or what ever) but that GOD had a helping hand in making us what we are now. Sort of like god adjusting a couple of geans or whatever. SO basicly GOD still created us but in a much longer and more complicated way but we were told this is a much more simple way as its easier to undersand. You might be able to see why this annoyed him so much as there really isnt much he could say to that as there is no way to prove scientifically that god doesnt exist. This is how my belifes stand!

[KyWish]

See, now that makes me want to reach out and strangle you people! You can go round and round saying this god created everything and everyone, then say that you still think scientifically when as such, there is NO possible way for a being to exist and do such things. It just is not possible. This GOD is BULLOCKS. You belive this so blindly, as does everyone else who has ever uttered a prayer. All it is is a handle for the unknown whilst your eyes are closed, because you feel an extreme need to let something else explain everything (SHIT I could write an insane anti-bible). Go now and be offended, for god is man's frail mind and his blessings are coincidence. And I smash you witha bit of a stick and say WHEN YOU DIE THERE IS NOTHING BUT ETERNAL DARKNESS!
Ha!

[-(aaK)- zZzTheAngel]

WTF got up your arse Kywish! I am not so much offended by your message but more amazed at your stupidity!
First this is somehting i posted

"My way of thinking about it really pisses off hardline Atheists" you see i wasnt joking it really pisses off people like Kywish!

First things first tell me how science can 100% disprove Gods existence? Science cannot disprove Gods existence simple as that! For all you know Kywish God could be some kinda bizarre alien! The simple fact of the matter is science cant and never will be able to disprove Gods existence. Therefore you cant just blanketly say God doenst exist.

Kywish you are the one with your eyes closed! You have one simple stupid view and feel that you have the right to bad mouth other peoples beliefs and views and thats bollocks!

Mabye i have a frail mind Kywish but my faith gives me strength and comfort simple as that when i come to die i shall be comforted by the belief that i shall go to hevean and have eternal life. Hope you enjoy your eternal darkness sounds a little boring to me but what ever

Dont get me wrong people i have no problem with people that choose not to believe thats there choice BUT what i do have a problem is with people that try to tell me my beliefs are wrong. I feel belief in God is a very personnal thing if you are a believer thats fine if you are a non believer thats also fine i wont try to force my beliefs on you. What i will say though is that God is watching over us all and if you ever need it you can take comfort in that

[KyWish]

Hey, It worked! I got a slew of pointless paragraphs ^-^.
And sciance has already disproved it because there is no proof you git . Only stories.
My view is quite clear and I have the eyes wide open to see it. Not only is it logically educated, but I have the right to express it (aka. 'badmouth'), so whether your belif tells you or not YOU are wrong. Have a nice day

[Buzz]

[glow=red,2,300]Your right peeps science can neither prove nor disprove the existance of such a being, I tell you this though, behave yourselves or I'll stop thinking about you [/glow]