As you said, their existence is obvious, and I suppose teachers need a first approximation explanation for both gravity and evolution. Several of the aids to teaching are in fact fallacious, such as the classic set of walking apes-to-man picture that adorns most biology books, and the moths on the tree bit. There are others, too, such as the attempt to show the formation and similarity of embryos across a number of species, which was totally r****d. Why they are still there I have no idea.

The main objection to macroevolution seems to be the situation surrounding the explosion of body types during the Pre-Cambrian period, that no prior predecessor forms have ever been found for any of the life forms generated. S.J. Gould tried to resurrect the situation with his "punctuated equilibrium" concept, but it is not satisfactory.

Manning,

You were "wrong" only twice; 1) in addressing me as "Sir" - I've always been a woman and intend to remain so, and 2) the nine year old I was thinking of was not my daughter, but me, as I first read the Bible through at the age of nine. I wouldn't have been frightened, but would have understood the implications.

My daughter's in her early 50s now, has traveled over much of the world, and I can't remember her ever fearing anything or anyone.

I have always had a preoccupation with seeking out authentic verifiable t***h, as witnessed by the collection of 6,000 non-fiction, reference, religious and history books distributed in myriad bookcases and on wall shelves in every room in my eighty year old house (built by my father the year I was born), now usually precluded by an online search, as I've been MIA from that house for three years.

There is only one absolute t***h to be sought out when dealing with physical reality: real people, real dates, real occurrences, irregardless of Post-Modern Academic Collectivism, Deconstructionism, Modernism, Minimalism and Poststructuralism.

That same t***h is to be pursued even more fervently when the conversation and focus turn to encounters and interactions with spiritual entities.

This is from my Jan 2, 2014 18:55:44 posting on the General Chit-Chat (non-political talk) topic:

"Have you ever been visited by an angel?"

"I had placed myself in a position of potential danger, in Jerusalem, in late February of 1990, during the height of the 1st Intifada; I had someone drop me off at the beginning of one of the three trails at the top of the Mount of Olives, because I wanted to absorb the view and the general atmosphere.

Jesus ascended from that location, and when He returns it will be to the Mount of Olives.

The day before, a rider had been k**led by a rock thrown through the rear of an Egged bus, which runs from their central station in Jerusalem to Bethlehem, which is only five miles south, and within the week, a tourist had been stabbed by an Arab youth, while walking though the streets of the old walled city in east Jerusalem, which I had walked through many times.

I started descending a trail, one of three beginning on the mount, that ends at the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane, and was almost immediately accosted by an Arabian/Palestinian man gesturing with a box of beaded souvenir jewelry, intimating that I should make a purchase from him.

I shook my head, and held my hand palm up in refusal. He continued to follow me, and became more insistent in his demeanor, and obviously not willing to take no for an answer; at that moment, a gentleman appeared at my side, from which direction, I have no idea, he was just there.

He was impeccably dressed, wearing light gray slacks, a beige windbreaker, and white leather sneakers that looked as if they'd (don't laugh) never touched the ground.

He said something in Arabic, in a sharp tone of voice to the Arab Palestinian pursuing me, and he turned immediately, and began reascending the hill.

This gentleman continued to walk beside me, conversing in perfect English, and as we descended, we encountered three different small groups of tourist/pilgrimage people, (who had enough sense not to walk alone) in twos or threes, ascending the hill. He greeted each of these groups in a different language.

One, I recognized as German, one was Scandinavian, and the third, possibly Portuguese.

When we reached the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane, I turned to thank him, and asked his name. He said, "my name is Michael."

My friends drove up just then to pick me up, as we'd agreed.

That night, drifting toward sleep, and pulling a quilt up around my chin, because Jerusalem is still cold in February, and the apartment's space heaters weren't doing much for my bedroom, I suddenly sat straight up in the bed, and thought, "my Lord and My God," - he said his name was Michael."

Michael Stands Guard Over Israel. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in 3rd and 2nd century BCE Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic, where he is the chief of the angels and archangels and responsible for the care of Israel.

I never fear that quoting the Bible, or referencing it could be an embarrassment.

The Bible is historically accurate. Not one piece of the thousands of Archaeological discoveries throughout Israel and the Middle East have ever contradicted the Bible. They always confirm it - the names of rulers, kingdoms, events, wars, etc.

Unlike mankind, God is trustworthy.

That is one of the dumbest posts all month long.. the evidence was clear and valid, but the evil republicans had no balls to follow the law and do the job they were elected for and instructed by our constitution..

they hung on for a chance at money the was spent before they got to it, and then the citizens of these United States dumped his sorry fat orange ass.. now if time allows he will spend his final days in the lockup the paid to stay away from as long as daddies money lasted.. the scummy POS..

Personally, I believe that religion and science can and does complement each other. The problem arose 300 years ago when
the church decided that scientific discoveries were outside religion and science was forced to proceed in a purely materialistic direction or not at all. That quickly evolved into habit and continues to this day. Fortunately that separation is now beginning to dissolve to at least a small degree.
I see no problem with the concept of evolution if it would stay in its proper place of evolving due to adaptation
to changing conditions. However for evolution to have started with life beginning accidentally from ooze being struck by lightening, is simply mathematically impossible. It can be shown that the 4.5 billion year existence of Earth is simply not enough time for a random process to create one cell, much less a complete intelligent being.
Intelligent design is the only possible answer. In any case it's pretty clear to see that our plan to look at U.M.
from the perspective of our direct experiences could easily go nowhere if we bring in to much Religious
debate or discussion. Suffice to say that most of us believe in God, leave it at that for now, and proceed with our intent.

For those with ears to hear…

But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

In the spring of the year, the cuckoo bird can be seen mimicking the flight of the sparrow hawk. Flapping, gliding, and soaring like a natural predator, this impostor frightens songbirds and distracts them to the point that they leave their nests unattended. She then moves in and devours an unguarded egg, leaving one of her own in its place. A counterfeit egg has replaced the true egg of a songbird. This is a fitting illustration of how Satan works among unsuspecting people.

People have the idea that Satan has cloven feet and horns. This kind of erroneous idea comes from the great god Pan of Greek mythology, who was portrayed as half-animal and was worshiped as Dionysus. Satan himself is a subtle serpent, a roaring lion and also an angel of light. If he would make himself visible to you, you would see a being of breathtaking beauty. So, spiritual responsibility requires discernment in recognizing deceptive teachings or practices. Don’t underestimate Satan’s ability to trick you to camouf**ge his corruption.

Realize also that Satan has servants too. If Satan disguises himself, we should not be surprised when his servants or minions masquerade their deception and evil by a disguise of righteousness, in this case in “furthering knowledge and understanding.” For this reason, be careful who you listen to. Satan is most effective when he comes not as an open enemy, but as a false friend.

JW, I think a lot of people share your view. I probably would too were it not for the observation that any given species of animal will behave in certain ways but humans have a high degree of unpredictability and no limits to our love or depravity. Add to that the observation that we are not very well fit to live naturally on the Earth. Either we don't belong here or something has gone terribly wrong with our home.

I agree that the animal nature is within us, but I don't think it should be.