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Quote# 65026

Faith in evolution requires belief. The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not, therefore belief is material to evolution. Scientific principles are subject to modification as new fads dictate what is fashionable in order to support such changes, depending on one’s original belief. I fear you have conflated what is currently in vogue in support of a process with the argument from the scientific Sanhedrin. That happens with followers now and then. [Emphasis added]

Mark Johnson, Pharyngula 28 Comments [8/28/2009 2:52:18 PM]
Fundie Index: 27
Submitted By: Night Jaguar
WTF?! || meh
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#1013426
Robbie

Evolution is not Tinkerbell.

8/28/2009 3:02:59 PM
#1013433
Horsefeathers

"Faith in evolution requires belief."

There is no "faith" involved. I do not "believe" evolution works. I accept that it works based on the evidence I've seen.

"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not, therefore belief is material to evolution."

As Robbie pointed out, evolution is not Tinkerbell. Whether or not you or anyone else "believes" it is irrelevant as it happens anyway and has been happening for quite some time now.

"Scientific principles are subject to modification as new fads dictate what is fashionable in order to support such changes, depending on one’s original belief."

That isn't at all how science works. Either you know that and you're lying or you don't know that and are an ignorant fool.

8/28/2009 3:06:23 PM
#1013457
Blackvoice

This not the goddamn Discworld. Reality doesn't work that way.

8/28/2009 3:21:58 PM
#1013470
SurfinSeaOtter

Every time you say you don't believe in evolution a spider monkey spontaneously explodes... think of the little monkeys :(

8/28/2009 3:26:47 PM
#1013492
Jeff Weskamp

Y'know, prior to Galileo, 99.99% of the human race believed that the sun revolved around the Earth. So why didn't all that "collective belief" actually make the Sun revolve around the Earth?

Because "collective belief" cannot alter reality. Sorry, folks. I know that reality sucks ass most of the time, but it's not gonna change just because you want it to be something that it's not. Like it or not, there is such a thing as objective reality.

8/28/2009 3:32:31 PM
#1013540
WMDKitty

I really need to find a way to reboot my brain... it just stalled.

8/28/2009 3:55:51 PM
#1013567


"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not"

So then that's how reality works on your planet? Weird.

8/28/2009 4:12:10 PM
#1013591
Ouabache

LOL, WUT???

8/28/2009 4:28:25 PM
#1013594
Angua

"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not."

No it doesn't. Where exactly did you get that idea from? I'm at a loss of words to express the sheer stupidity put into that one line.

EVOLUTION DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!

8/28/2009 4:29:33 PM
#1013608
Rat of Steel

(WMDKitty)
"I really need to find a way to reboot my brain... it just stalled."

*walks over to WMDKitty, grabs her head, and kisses her with much thoroughness and attention to detail*

You're welcome.

8/28/2009 4:41:40 PM
#1013623
rds77

"Faith in Christ requires belief. The tenets of Christianity depend on whether people believe in it or not, therefore belief is material to Christianity. Religious principles are subject to modification as new fads dictate what is fashionable in order to support such changes, depending on one’s original belief. I fear you have conflated what is currently in vogue in support of a process with the argument from the Christian Sanhedrin. That happens with followers now and then."

That's what you meant, right?

8/28/2009 4:49:22 PM
#1013645
BobsOldSocks

"Faith in evolution requires belief."

Why on Earth would anyone need to have "faith" in something as solidly factual as evolution?

"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not, therefore belief is material to evolution."

?????!

"Scientific principles are subject to modification..."

No, they're not. There's only one way to do science and if you try to play silly buggers other scientists will be only too happy to point out the error of our ways. They might even be sarcastic about it.

8/28/2009 5:03:39 PM
#1013677
Reverend Jeremiah

So..if I believe in evolution, then I will go ahead and become extinct..as my successful offspring slowly drift away until the point that their species and my species can no longer naturally breed?

I tried..but I dont see how belief has ANY factor in Biology.

8/28/2009 5:46:27 PM
#1013691
rhabdomyolysis

Evolution: no faith required, just a brain

8/28/2009 5:58:56 PM
#1013741
atrasicarius

Looks like someone needs a basic lesson on how the scientific method works.

8/28/2009 7:08:56 PM
#1013831
Zoo

"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not"

Where in the theory does it state that? Evolution occurs whether you want it to or not, all the time, even in humans.

"Scientific principles are subject to modification"

Hey, you got one right!

"as new fads dictate what is fashionable"

Fuck. You were doing so well there for a second. No. Scientific "principles" are modified if we find evidence that disproves part or all of it. When such evidence comes up, it is thoroughly shredded to make sure it's valid, and -then- we modify theories.

"what is currently in vogue"

What other fad has lasted 150 years? Other than. . . breathing and eating?

8/28/2009 8:18:01 PM
#1013971
Orestes

>The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not

You have no idea how hard I am believing that you would stop existing. Or at least become sterile, I can settle for middle ground.

8/28/2009 11:03:35 PM
#1014032
aaa

Science doesn't work that way!

8/29/2009 1:44:41 AM
#1014291
GodotIsWaiting4U

Scientists are not fashionable people.:(

8/29/2009 9:34:53 AM
#1014316
moose

Does faith in gravity require belief???? If you have no faith in gravity, does it mean you can fly like superman? I believe I will have a beer.....I can have faith in that.....

8/29/2009 9:53:20 AM
#1014441
Old Viking

You tell 'em, Mark. Whatever the hell that was you just said.

8/29/2009 1:38:19 PM
#1014491
Mageapprentice

Scientific principles are now fashionable- WTF?

Gravity is SO 18th century- why havent you floated off yet?

Do these people really try to out-dumb each other?

8/29/2009 5:10:56 PM
#1014865
Zodiac

But... doesn't God's will happen whether people believe in it or not? Your logic is invalid.

8/30/2009 5:52:08 PM
#1014920
Doubting Thomas

"The theories suggest that evolution happens depend on whether people believe in it or not, therefore belief is material to evolution. "

Is it just me or is this sentence self-contradictory? He's correctly saying that evolution occurs whether or not people believe in it, so why does it matter if anyone believes in it? It's still going to happen anyway.

And people normally don't "believe" in evolution the way people believe in religion. People study it, understand it and accept it as the valid scientific study that it is. Saying that people believe in it is like saying that people have to believe in gravity.

8/30/2009 7:59:27 PM
#1015092
Dr. Novakaine

No, the theories suggest that it happens no matter what. YOU suggest it requires belief, which we all know is a load of bullshit.

8/31/2009 7:42:06 AM
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