COSMOS

[PEATMOSS]

If anyone needs a break from the mental cotton candy that most TV provides, check out COSMOS. It's broadcast on Fox network on Sunday night at 8 and repeated on Monday night on National Geographic channel. I am a huge fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson, a brilliant astrophysicist and great communicator.

[Hester]

My 14 yr old son has just loved watching this show. They can really dumb it down for even me to understand.

[SalmonSlayer]

Love it so far. It's amazing to see how far the production quality has come since Sagan's version.

[DrJuice1980]

I love how ideas and hypothesis are concidered "factual" in that program, totally hypocritical. I'm no bible banger, besides funerals and weddings it's been a very long time since I've been to mass. I, in no way, am taking the religious side here but guess what? The "fact" that we all came from a single cell ameba is only an idea, not a fact. It's the same as saying God created us all from his image or whatever. I like the space stuff but I can't stand watching the other junk.

[SalmonSlayer]

I suppose I was hoping for too much to think we could get to five posts before the, "Just a theory" crowd showed up...

It's the same as saying God created us all from his image or whatever.

Except it isn't the same, one position has evidence, the other does not.

[leech~~]

I love how ideas and hypothesis are concidered "factual" in that program, totally hypocritical. I'm no bible banger, besides funerals and weddings it's been a very long time since I've been to mass. I, in no way, am taking the religious side here but guess what? The "fact" that we all came from a single cell ameba is only an idea, not a fact. It's the same as saying God created us all from his image or whatever. I like the space stuff but I can't stand watching the other junk.

Peat, your up! And on the FOX channel you say!

[DrJuice1980]

What evidence? Please forward this evidence that shows I came from an aquatic creature besides me having hands and dolphins having fins.

[leech~~]

What evidence? Please forward this evidence that shows I came from an aquatic creature besides me having hands and dolphins having fins.

DrJuice. The fins turned into hands way later. How else did you climb down from the trees!

[PEATMOSS]

I'm simply not going to bang my head against a wall and try to debate with flat-earthers all night. The simple fact of the matter is that there is ample scientific data to support the theory of evolution. There are tons and tons of sites available to anyone who is curious about it. Things like random mutation, natural selection etc. are actually quite easy to understand. It's all at your fingertips if one wants to learn.

None of this matters. There is no logic,reason or evidence that will convince people that don't respect logic, reason or evidence. There will always be those that cling to dogma and superstition.

I did not start this thread to argue. This is a really cool show. If you don't like science or anything that challenges your assumptions, don't watch it.

[DrJuice1980]

None of this matters. There is no logic,reason or evidence that will convince people that don't respect logic, reason or evidence. There will always be those that cling to dogma and superstition.

I did not start this thread to argue. This is a really cool show. If you don't like science or anything that challenges your assumptions, don't watch it.

The idea I came from a single cell ameba is as laughable as a god creating earth in 7 days. They are equally illogical. I like science I really like it but you simply chose to believe a guy in a lab coat rather than a guy in religious garments. You need to challenge your assumptions, everybody should. Science needs to challenge itself rather than choose to label things as fact only to change once something else comes up. Is there such a thing called adaptation? Of course. Natural selection? Of course. Evolution even? To an extent, yes. But where's this missing link? To say that we came from one cell? I'll believe in a creator over that any day.

[DrJuice1980]

In defense of science, religion set it back hundreds if not thousands of years with imposed fear and text burning. I believe the human species has been on this earth a lot longer than science and most religions claim.

[leech~~]

I'm simply not going to bang my head against a wall and try to debate with flat-earthers all night. The simple fact of the matter is that there is ample scientific data to support the theory of evolution. There are tons and tons of sites available to anyone who is curious about it. Things like random mutation, natural selection etc. are actually quite easy to understand. It's all at your fingertips if one wants to learn.

None of this matters. There is no logic,reason or evidence that will convince people that don't respect logic, reason or evidence. There will always be those that cling to dogma and superstition.

I did not start this thread to argue. This is a really cool show. If you don't like science or anything that challenges your assumptions, don't watch it.

Agreed. But, hopefully you know a little what it feels like when you stomp on others beliefs when they start a thread!

[DrH]

Will this nonsense ever end? I've been teaching biology for over 25 years now. I have a BA, MS in both biology AND theology. My PhD is in science education. As a scientist I agree that trying to convince anyone of the validity of evidence that they choose not to learn or understand is fruitless. At least as a teacher I can insist that my students understand evolutionary theory. As a person of faith I believe the problem is theological and not scientific. Creationism is poor theology. However, trying to explain that here would take too long. I would instead ask you to consider WHY you are so dead set against the theory of evolution. I would suggest that your god is not the creator of the universe but your own ego. Let God out of the small box your theology has but Him in and let Her be the God of all creation. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover. I send this with hope and love, not arrogance. Soli Deo Gloria

[leech~~]

Will this nonsense ever end? I've been teaching biology for over 25 years now. I have a BA, MS in both biology AND theology. My PhD is in science education. As a scientist I agree that trying to convince anyone of the validity of evidence that they choose not to learn or understand is fruitless. At least as a teacher I can insist that my students understand evolutionary theory. As a person of faith I believe the problem is theological and not scientific. Creationism is poor theology. However, trying to explain that here would take too long. I would instead ask you to consider WHY you are so dead set against the theory of evolution. I would suggest that your god is not the creator of the universe but your own ego. Let God out of the small box your theology has but Him in and let Her be the God of all creation. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover. I send this with hope and love, not arrogance. Soli Deo Gloria

Doc, it doesn't have anything to do with how many degrees a person has stacked up! It has to do with Faith. Faith in that this miracle of life came about by a Creator or Faith that it came out of some slime. The point being is that as you said "as a teacher I can insist that my students understand" but it's a little Narcissistic to not give others their freedom to hold their own beliefs and yours as gospel without brow beating them. So, on with the show!

[DrH]

I never said they could NOT hold their beliefs. Only that if they are in a science class they should UNDERSTAND the science.

I know and have faith in my creator and I find joy, wonder and hope in the science He has allowed us to grow into.

Understanding need not diminish wonder.

Good night brother.

[DrJuice1980]

Was this directed at me?

Will this nonsense ever end? I've been teaching biology for over 25 years now. I have a BA, MS in both biology AND theology. My PhD is in science education. As a scientist I agree that trying to convince anyone of the validity of evidence that they choose not to learn or understand is fruitless. At least as a teacher I can insist that my students understand evolutionary theory. As a person of faith I believe the problem is theological and not scientific. Creationism is poor theology. However, trying to explain that here would take too long. I would instead ask you to consider WHY you are so dead set against the theory of evolution. I would suggest that your god is not the creator of the universe but your own ego. Let God out of the small box your theology has but Him in and let Her be the God of all creation. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover. I send this with hope and love, not arrogance. Soli Deo Gloria

Well I don't get how this could apply to anything I stated as I don't agree with either theories, I agree with parts of both but in no way can I agree with the ameba idea or whole heartedly believe in one Adam and one Eve. I do believe in a creator of some sort but there are WAY too many questions and we are VERY short on answers.

Here's one to live by:

Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Toot toot, I have a horn too and I can Toot toot it as well.

[DHK]

What's it like to believe in hocus pocus? Science is science whether you "like" it or not. Cosmos is a science show. If you believe Carleton Heston (no doubt armed with an automatic rifle just in case) came down from a cloud and created the Earth 4,500 years ago there's nothing anyone can do to help you. Ignorance, like wisdom, is a chosen path. This isn't an attack, just common sense. A lot of this thinking stems from "conservatives" who view experts and the educated with such suspicion.

[Duffman]

If God made me, he made me a skeptic who is unable to take anything on faith. And I'm going to Hell because of it, apparently. Thanks

[Slabasaurus]

What evidence? Please forward this evidence that shows I came from an aquatic creature besides me having hands and dolphins having fins.

The evidence question reminded me of this little gem from one of my fav's.

[SalmonSlayer]

That was fantastic. Not sure how I missed that episode.

"Things don't exist simply because you believe in them, thus sayeth the almighty creature in the sky..."

[leech~~]

Ok,so some day Darwin's Theory Of Evolution is proven. Then what? What's the out come? We grow another arm? We can all dance around and say he was right, he was right, we win, we win!

And then, what?

[PEATMOSS]

Anybody else actually watching the series?

[DrJill]

Darwin wrote "The Origin of Species"

Not "The Origin of Life"

His theory is "The Theory of Natural Selection"

Not "The Theory of Evolution"

If you can demonstrate even one instance were the process of natural selection, aka "survival of the fittest", isn't at work, the entire theory will be tossed out the window.

In the meanwhile, don't overuse anti=biotics.

Because the bacteria are evolving.

And Darwins Theory predicted it.

[DrJill]

I caught part of the last episode and thought it was very good.

I like any show that brings science down to earth and appealing to a wider audience.

[DrJill]

BTW ...

in the same way Darwin wasn't addressing the origin of life.

The "Big Bang Theory" of the universe doesn't address what banged or why.

Both describe a process that led to what we see today.

Leaving plenty of room for God.