I would GREATLY disagree with this statement....

To believe in the theory of evolution is to disregard several fundamental
'laws' of science.  Leave religion out of it.  Nothing that I know of
naturally goes from a 'lower' state of randomness to a 'greater' state.

Time:  numerous scientific facts point to a young earth instead of an old
one with 'billions' of years.

Some scientists choose to look at certain observations/facts and come to an
evolution conclusion.  Others look at the same thing and come to a creator
conclusion.  Everyone makes their own choice.

-----Original Message-----
From: Wirt Atmar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 9:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT: McCain Running Mate

Mark writes:

> Evolution is a theory that I firmly believe in. Sure, it's got some holes
in
> it but IMHO, it explains so many things that we see in our environment so
> well that I cannot logically deny it as an extremely good theory.

The word "science" is derived from the Latin term "scientia," which 
means "knowledge" or "understanding." Of all of the scientific knowledge
that 
we have accumulated, there is no other body of knowledge that we're more 
sure about than evolutionary theory. There are no "holes" in it.

We do not understand the fundamental natures of gravity, time or inertia. 
Indeed the best we can do is mumble a bit on these subjects. But we do 
understand evolutionary ecology at a very profound level, both because it is

important to our well-being and it drives the core of our curiosity.

To deny this knowledge for reasons of rural superstitious beliefs advocates
a 
level of ignorance so deep and so pernicious that it puts the nation at
risk. 
That unfortunately is not an overstatement.

We've just gone through an eight-year period when we've had an ignorant, 
incurious fool as our president who allowed the government to filled with 
political hacks of the radical right. We cannot do this much longer and stay

competitive.

I do very much use a "belief in evolution" as a litmus test as a minimum 
standard for competency in any subject of importance. If you deny that, you 
have it within your power to deny any sort of evidence or have it within
your 
power to muster a logical conclusion on any other subject.

Wirt Atmar

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