Re: Evolution in a microcosm

[Brian Ahmer <ahmer.1@osu.edu>]

That was a great email Zack.  I actually agree with everything you 
said, even though we have different opinions on the validity of 
macro-evolotion.  I'm actually fine with people not accepting 
evolution.  As you said, it's not good to have blind faith in the 
evolution idea.  To really understand the mechanics of genetics and 
evolution takes years of study which is of course not going to happen 
for the general public.  So I think it's great that you don't accept 
it.  Personally, I do believe it but only through devoting my 
professional life to studying the evidence and making sure I 
understand the mechanisms as well as is currently possible (and 
seeing it before my eyes in these bacterial genomes, the genome 
sequences are just awesome!).

I also completely agree with you that religion and evolution aren't 
the only options.  People shouldn't believe either blindly.  So most 
people automatically assume that evidence against one is evidence for 
the other.  But at least evolution is testable and gods are not.  I 
suspect that the reason that religion gets thrown into the mix is 
that when people can't scientifically explain a phenomenon, they have 
this strange need to make something up.  I promote the idea of being 
honest with ourselves and saying "heck if I know".  Religions all 
fall into the category of explanations to make people feel more 
secure, but since the existence of gods isn't testable, why should we 
believe in them?  And why does a non-testable story make people feel 
more secure anyway?  That one always baffles me.

What upsets me is when people are raised religious and never question 
what they've been taught.  Most people have never even realized that 
the existence of gods is not testable.   I'm not saying that they 
should immediately believe evolution, but there's certainly no excuse 
for making up mystical stories of gods and angels.  Pay attention to 
any time you see a person explaining a phenomenon to another person. 
Every where the person says "well God did that", you can just replace 
"God" with "I don't know" and that's really what they're saying.  I 
think they should just say "I don't know".


> I don't know why some feel the need to shy away from this subject. I agree
> with others who consider this an enjoyable discussion. We're all adults here
> and should be able to handle some intelligent discussion of a very pivotal
> idea. The occurrence of macro-evolution or the lack thereof is very
> prevalent with regards to our Apistos. It affects how we identify or
> understand the relation of our fish--whether what we have is really a new
> species in a chain or whether it is just a variation of a pre-existing
> species. Whether we go into the examination of a fish with the pre-existing
> notion that we must fit the fish into our evolutionary model affects how we
> identify our fishes.
>
> I find it interesting that it is the proponents of macro-evolution who have
> felt it necessary to bring in religion. Those of us capable of offering an
> intelligent discussion about the occurrence of macro-evolution have yet to
> mention religion. I have only given reasons why I don't accept evolution and
> haven't stated any affiliation to an alternative religion from evolution. So
> far the biggest lack of education or intelligence I have seen comes from the
> other side. I wonder how well anyone understands the alternatives, or do
> they just believe in their religion of evolution because that is all they
> have taken the time to study? I have studied evolution in-depth and at
> length and find no merit in it.
>
> Most of what has been offered in favor of macro-evolution has been devoid of
> substance or evidence in favor, but rather has simply attacked alternative
> views with simplistic dogma. I don't agree with the ideas of macro-evolution
> for many well-thought-out reasons and therefor differ in my opinions of what
> constitutes the identification of a new species. I am happy to discuss with
> others who can behave like adults the logic of my views. If you're not
> interested in this subject, there are other threads and you don't have to
> read this one. If you are interested, whether as a contributor or observer,
> you're free to participate.
>
> Regards all,
>
> Zack Wilson
> losing more and more respect for Ph.D's.
>
>
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--
Sincerely,
Brian Ahmer, Ph.D.

============================================
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology
The Ohio State University
376 Bioscience Building
484 West 12th Ave
Columbus OH 43210

614-292-1919
ahmer.1@osu.edu
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~microbio/ba.html
============================================


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