<My point was that the scientists of the day thought the earth was flat and also at
another time that the whole universe evolved around the earth. So what
misconceptions do today's scientists have about the origins of man that are throwing
them off the track to the truth. There is no reason to believe them, anthropology is
not an exact science like mathematics and physics. It is full of holes. A skeleton of
an extinct species does nothing to convince me of the viability of the theory of
evolution. The last of a large species of apes that could walk erect was killed in
south america in the last century. I've seen the pictures, it was almost as big as a
man. So what! It's no proof of anything. There is no connection to man.>
Bob, when you say that a skeleton of an extinct species does nothing to convince you of the viability of the theory of evolution, I have to wonder why. Could you explain logically what you mean?
Incidentally, walking erect in itself does not make a species more human, and so whatever you are saying about those South American apes would seem to be irrelevant. It also involves the increasing use of tools, the development of larger brains, indications of forming more and more complex societies, general compassion and understanding of mortality, like burying your dead with flowers and taking care of older members of the group who are not able to survive on their own. If you take all of these developmental factors into account, I believe there is very strong evidence for evolution.
I also think you have a big misunderstanding of the word "theory" as it is used scientifically, although I note that other posters have already addressed that. And not all early scientists believed that the earth was flat, or that the earth was the center of the universe. These statements seem to be red herrings brought up to confuse the argument.
Anthropologists and archaeologists are gradually building a whole body of knowledge about hominids. The "missing links" will be filled in as more early remains are found, but the earth is a vast place and finding them is much like finding a needle in a haystack. Can you cite any skeletal findings which do NOT support evolution?
Also, why does the idea that man and apes evolved from a common ancestor threaten you so much?
Do you really believe the earth was created by God only a few thousand years ago? If you are proved wrong on this, will it destroy your whole religious faith? Is it not possible that the creation stories are allegorical, and that the time line might be incorrect? |
