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Evolution: the Facts.

I stumbled across this on a forum the other day in a debate about creationism etc. and wondered if anyone can help me answer it. I really don't know much about the subject:

Explain to me where new single celled organisms come from which have their own unique set of DNA and Genes? Evolution is supposed to be a slow gradual process, so there should be latent DNA and residual adaptations from previous 'models'.
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To which the obvious answer is that organisms share lots of genes, demonstrating adaptation from a common ancestor. None is completely unique. Hpwever, each distinct species does have some genetic difference from other species, otherwise they wouldn't be different species. These differences are indeed produced by a slow gradual process of cumulative mutation.

I am unable to understand what sort of confusion of ideas led someone to ask such a question. Perhaps you could ask the guy what on Earth he thinks he's talking about.
 
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I didn't really understand the question, but I thought it was just me. I didn't understand the "unique" part...

Edit:After re-reading it a few times, I think he must've presumed that one organism is genetically 100% different from the next and really is "new".

I think.
 
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On with the depositional environments ... [swiki]Turbidites[/swiki].

And please let me know if you see any typos. 1200 people had read my article on [swiki]Igneous Rocks[/swiki] before I noticed that the second paragraph of the second section purported to explain the difference in texture between intrusive rocks and intrusive rocks.

Cheers.
 
Red3 said:
Edit:After re-reading it a few times, I think he must've presumed that one organism is genetically 100% different from the next and really is "new".

I think.
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My second post and already I get to get on arthwollipot for his snarkiness? I knew I had Junior Mod tendencies, but this is carrying it too far. :D

What you read is completely wrong. As far as our DNA is concerned, Humans are not just close to Chimps, but also not nearly as far as one might want from Fruit Flies. It all points inexorably to a common ancestor a long-effing-time ago.

Of course, it could also point to a Creator who reused code because he was lazy. ;)
 
Yes, so-called god has made everthing look like there is no need for it.

Paul

:) :) :)

Because there isn't................................
 
to put the nail deeper in the head of octo :

wiki : A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power or truth.[1] It may be expressed through prayer, ritual, meditation, music and art, among other things. It may focus on specific supernatural, metaphysical, and moral claims about reality (the cosmos and human nature) which may yield a set of religious laws, ethics, and a particular lifestyle. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and religious experience.

The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system,"[2] but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.

The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. It considers psychological and social roots, along with origins and historical development.

In the frame of western religious thought,[3] religions present a common quality, the "hallmark of patriarchal religious thought": the division of the world in two comprehensive domains, one sacred, the other profane.[4] Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, tradition, rituals, and scriptures are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion is also often described as a "way of life" or a life stance.
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atheism : Atheism is the position that deities do not exist,[1] or the rejection of theism.[2] In the broadest sense, it is the absence of belief in the existence of deities.[3]

The term atheism originated from the Greek ἄθεος (atheos), which was derogatively applied to anyone thought to believe in false gods, no gods, or doctrines that stood in conflict with established religions. With the spread of freethought, skeptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion, application of the term narrowed in scope. The first individuals to self-identify as "atheist" appeared in the 18th century. Today, about 2.3% of the world's population describes itself as atheist, while a further 11.9% is described as nontheist.[4] Up to 65% of Japanese describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, or non-believers; and up to 48% in Russia.[5] The percentage of such persons in European Union member states ranges between 6% (Italy) and 85% (Sweden).[5]

Atheism tends towards skepticism regarding supernatural claims, citing a lack of empirical evidence. Common rationales include the problem of evil, the argument from inconsistent revelations, and the argument from nonbelief. Other arguments for atheism range from the philosophical to the social to the historical.

In Western culture, atheists are frequently assumed to be irreligious or unspiritual .[6] However, religious and spiritual belief systems such as forms of Buddhism that do not advocate belief in gods, have been described as atheistic.[7] Although some atheists tend toward secular philosophies such as humanism,[8] rationalism, and naturalism,[9] there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere.[10]
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So in summary, only in the mind of ignorant religious people which NEED that atheism BE a religion for their own argument to stick, bad luck for you. A religious framework CAN be atheistic (without god) but atheism is NOT a religious framework.
 
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Derail about atheism and religion moved here. There are probably a number of threads I could have chosen, but this one is really old and may provide some historical (JREF-wise) perspective on previous discussions. Sadly, many of the posters are no longer active. Don't try yelling at them.
Replying to this modbox in thread will be off topic  Posted By: Tricky
 
I've added a piece about [swiki]Sclerochronology[/swiki] -- I'm gettinga bit ahead of myself here, but I wanted to write about the spectacular creationist blunder over leap-seconds, and this is a sort of companion piece.
 
:( ...the annual production of rings in trees, and, as just as we can count tree-rings

:) ...the annual production of rings in trees, and, just as we can count tree-rings
 
:confused: Sclerochronology also allows us to make an independent check on the large age of the earth deduced from stratigraphic and radiometric data

I was distracted by the word 'large'... If its relevant/necessary/whatever, maybe it merits an explantion
 
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