govern point

The first thing we should center on is the concepts which are evolution from a definition of the word evolution:

ev⋅o⋅lu⋅tion [ev-uh-loo-shuhn or, especially Brit., ee-vuh-] –noun

1. any process of formation or growth; development: the evolution of a language; the evolution of the airplane.
2. a product of such development; something evolved: The exploration of space is the evolution of decades of research.
3. Biology. change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.
4. a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development, as in social or economic structure or institutions.
5. a motion incomplete in itself, but combining with coordinated motions to produce a single action, as in a machine.
6. a pattern formed by or as if by a series of movements: the evolutions of a figure skater.
7. an evolving or giving off of gas, heat, etc.
8. Mathematics. the extraction of a root from a quantity. Compare involution (def. 8).
9. a movement or one of a series of movements of troops, ships, etc., as for disposition in order of battle or in line on parade.
10. any similar movement, esp. in close order drill.

Origin of the Word:
1615–25; < L ēvolūtiōn- (s. of ēvolūtiō) an unrolling, opening, equiv. to ēvolūt(us) (see evolute ) + -iōn- -ion

So What is Evolution?

Evolution is an odd thing, it is one of the only things which is both a fact and a theory.  Biologists consider evolution to be a fact in much the same way that physicists do so for gravity. However, the mechanisms of evolution are less well understood, and it is these mechanisms that are described by several theories of evolution.

Biological evolution typically refers to the changes that occur in a population over time. These changes are produced at the genetic level as genes mutate different ways during reproduction and are passed on to future generations. Sometimes, individuals inherit new characteristics that give them a survival and reproductive advantage in their local environments; these characteristics tend to increase in frequency in the population, while those that are disadvantageous decrease in frequency. This process of differential survival is known as natural selection.

Natural Selection is the core theory which drives evolution. It is often referred to as “survival of the fittest,” though that is not a accurate description. It basically means species which are best suited to their environments  have a better chance to reproduce than those that are not. For example, in a artic environment, an animal with lots of fur, like a polar bear, is more likely to reproduce than say a mouse, since mouse have a higher chance of dying in really cold weather where there are no buildings to hide for warmth and protection.
Evolution is often seen as a conflict to religions which believe life happened solely due to a supreme being.  Charles Darwin is thought to have started the theory via his book The Origin of Species.  Here is a brief except to set context in Darwin’s own words:

In considering the Origin of Species, it is quite conceivable that a naturalist, reflecting on the mutual affinities of organic beings, on their embryological relations, their geographical distribution, geological succession, and other such facts, might come to the conclusion that each species had not been independently created, but had descended, like varieties, from other species. Nevertheless, such a conclusion, even if well founded, would be unsatisfactory, until it could be shown how the innumerable species inhabiting this world have been modified so as to acquire that perfection of structure and co-adaptation which most justly excites our admiration. Naturalists continually refer to external conditions, such as climate, food, &c., as the only possible cause of variation. In one very limited sense, as we shall hereafter see, this may be true; but it is preposterous to attribute to mere external conditions, the structure, for instance, of the woodpecker, with its feet, tail, beak, and tongue, so admirably adapted to catch insects under the bark of trees. In the case of the misseltoe, which draws its nourishment from certain trees, which has seeds that must be transported by certain birds, and which has flowers with separate sexes absolutely requiring the agency of certain insects to bring pollen from one flower to the other, it is equally preposterous to account for the structure of this parasite, with its relations to several distinct organic beings, by the effects of external conditions, or of habit, or of the volition of the plant itself.

Proof of existence and trying to know if God is real is the center for many discussions. Is God real? Surprisingly, this fundamental question is simplistic in nature. It is solved by asking another question, “Where did everything come from?” Where did space, time, matter, energy and information come from?
Theists have always acknowledged an Intelligent Designer as being the source of all things.

Is God Real? The Evolution Paradigm

Is God real? Not if you ask British Naturalist Charles Darwin. In 1859, Darwin purposed a mechanism by which evolutionary descent from a common ancestor may be possible without resorting to a Creator God.

Kurt Cameron takes on the idea In March 2006 on “Nightline”.

The way of the master is a Christian ministry headed by Cameron and itinerant preacher Ray Comfort. Operating as a charitable trust, its intention is to educate and equip the church to preach the message of Christianity to nonbelievers. Cameron says he is motivated by a literal fear of hell.

“I believe the Scriptures teach that there’s a literal heaven and a literal hell, just like Jesus said,” he explained. “And without forgiveness of sins that, yeah, the place of punishment is called hell.”

The Way of the Master has a weekly television show for which Comfort and Cameron literally hit the streets in the name of Jesus, challenging nonbelievers that their sins against God will lead directly to hell.

“On the Day of Judgment,” Comfort tells one man on the streets of New York, “God will see you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. You have sinned against God. You need his forgiveness.”

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Science and religion controversies began well before Charles The trial of Galileo in 1633 for publishing Dialogue, a book that supported the Copernican theory that the earth revolved around the sun was perhaps the earliest. Which at this point we all know is the other way around and more or less in conflict with the Bible, thus the trial. So Darwinism wasn’t the first issue without a doubt and won’t be the last.

Intelligent Design is different than creationism, followers believe only that the complexity of the natural world could not have occurred by luck and randomness. Some entity must have created the complexity is the core thread of thought. The designer ultimately can be anything or anyone. William Paley popularized the design argument:

If we assume that a watch must have been fashioned by a watchmaker, then we should assume that an ordered universe must have been fashioned by a divine Creator.

The limited scope of Intelligent Design theory makes it compatible with a wide range of theories. Some ID theorists believe in evolution—or at least that species can change over time. The main delta from all-in science is that intelligent design does not assume that everything has a natural cause.

With the recent sting around a catholic group and sex, I thought it might be worth a post.  Robert Eric McFadden, who helped co-found the group Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, was arrested Wednesday in suburban Dublin, Ohio. Police believe McFadden was the man they have been looking for in connection with an online prostitution ring on craigslist.com, according to a report on the website of  WCMH.  Police cracked the ring when men involved in a website that posts reviews of prostitutes held a raffle for sex.  Reviews online isn’t that bright.

The police noticed over time a man involved in prostitute discussion boards under the names of Sullivant Guy, Broad Street Guy and Toby, per the Columbus Dispatch. They now believe it is McFadden. Two others were also arrested in connection with the ring.

He has been charged with seven felonies, including pandering obscenities involving a minor, promoting prostitution and compelling prostitution, according to a Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Sex and Religion doesn’t stop there.  More and more training and study is needed.  Recently, The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing released a study called: Sex and the Seminary: Preparing Ministers for Sexual Health and Justice.  Are we living in a national state of emergency when it comes to the lack of connection between sexuality and religion?

In January 2008, NSRC partnered with the Center for Sexuality and Religion to create one of the first sexual literacy trainings ever for seminarians, administrators, staff & students in the U.S. labeled “21st Century Challenges to Religion and Sexuality”. The Center for Sexuality and Religion is currently focused on training seminarians nation wide around sexuality.

So education is apparently not just needed for priests, looks like everyday folk need some help. Since it appears that abstinence pledges are a little weak too.   I guess in the end , sex and religion are two different things which are forever connected by dogma and the public’s fascination.

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