I'm not too sure where to post this ridiculous question I've been thinking about. Biology is my best guess. There is a theory that humans evolved from apes. (I myself am a Catholic, and don't belive this theory, but that's besides the point) If this is so, why are there still apes? I know it sounds so stupid and there's probably an easy logical explanation, but I never claimed to be a genius Just something I wonder from time to time.

tickle

We ivolved from a certain type of ape, other species were left behind and are still evolving, but very slowly.

i know the creation theory for catholics is beautiful and I would like to think about that too but I have read to much and studied too much to believe that I came from adam and eve, etc.

Victorians, before Darwin, believed that they were conceiving because god wanted it so; I really have a problem with that. I am so glad Darwin straightened them out !

So......lets hear it from the peanut gallery !!! or the Victorian peanut gallery, whatever.....

Capuchin

Tickle doesnt have it quite right.

Both we and modern day apes are evolved from a common ancestor which was an ape which is now extinct. Here we branched from one another, evolving under different conditions which forced us to end up looking different.

Be sure to realise that evolutionary theory is one of the most solid and far reach theories in science. It has applications in many of the sciences and has been altered over the years to fit new evidence (scientific theories are not static like religious theories).

I see no reason to suppose that other species are evolving very slowly, what brings you to that conclusion tickle? Why are they any slower at evolving than us?

katieperez

Wow. Thanks guys for all the input! It all makes sense to me. I am Catholic and my beliefs are firm, but I enjoy learning and I don't ever discriminate or lecture people who have different beliefs. Heck, my husband is an atheist that believes in evolution I'm going to try to attach a document that is quite an interesting read that my husband sent to me. It's pretty long but I thought someone might find it as interesting as I did. Reading this document is actually what got me wondering this in the first place! If anyone has some downtime and would care to read it. Anyway, thanks again!!

Attached Images

God vs Science.pdf (27.5 KB, 31 views)

NeedKarma

Oh my, there are glaring holes all over that document.
There is no premise of duality.
The 'student' description of heat/cold made no sense and proved nothing except create FUD (fear/uncertainty/doubt). Making the night darker? What does that prove? Absolute 0 is when activity in atoms ceases to happen, what's the argument about it getting colder than that? Please explain it to me.
Making the argument that one has not observed evolution with one's own eyes is no different than belief in a book written 2000+ years ago, except...the scientists has evidence of evolution.

katieperez

NeedKarma- I didn't say I wrote it or could explain it. Again, I never claimed to be a genius. I just thought it was an interesting read. I appreciate and respect any beliefs and opinions. And I also appreciate and respect people who know what they're talking about, as it seems you do

michealb

Cap was correct in his explanation but I'm going to dumb it down a bit. Lets talk about dogs. The dogs in our homes are "canine domesticus" but they started as wolfs "Canis lupus" we still have wolfs because they are still successful in their environment even though some of them took a different path. This is called divergence when group of a species adapts to take advantage of a environmental niche that the whole species can't take advantage of. This happens most often some members of a species get left on an island separated from the main population. life is always changing every generation is slightly different than the one before and these slight differences over millions of years make the amazing difference we have today.

tickle

actually, capuchin, I realize that Humans did not evolve from monkeys. Humans are more closely related to modern apes than to monkeys, but we didn't evolve from apes, either. Humans share a common ancestor with modern African apes, like gorillas and chimpanzees. Scientists believe this common ancestor existed 5 to 8 million years ago. Shortly thereafter, the species diverged into two separate lineages. One of these lineages ultimately evolved into gorillas and chimps, and the other evolved into early human ancestors called hominids.

Why would we not suppose that chimpanzees are learning more over time and they actually have us to assist them, therefore the process would be shortened. Chimpanzees born in captivity show amazing intellilgence and problem solving skills.

I probably used the wrong teriminology in 'very slowly'.

ScottGem

I suggest you try reading Darwin's book On the Origin of Speciesor at least a synopsis of it.

If you don't believe in the Theory of Evolution, then what do you believe in? Creationism as detailed in the Bible? If so, that's fine, but do you understand that there is almost no scientific evidence to support it? That religious people who believe in creationism do so out of pure faith in the Bible? On the other hand, there is a good deal of scientific proof behind Darwin.

katieperez

ScottGem- Yes I do believe in Creationism as detailed in the Bible. And I understand that my beliefs are based on faith and there is very little or no evidence to support my beliefs. I may not be that academically advanced but I am not totally nieve. Thank you for the wikepedia link about Darwin. It's been a while since science class and who couldn't use a brush up? I have found myself questioning my religion from time to time, because there is so much scientific proof behind Darwin. However, in the end, I find more comfort in my faith in God. I will never ever try to push my beliefs on someone and as I stated earlier, I enjoy learning about things and have an open mind. The original question I asked was not a challenge, it was a very simple question that I had been wondering about. Michaelb 'dumbed it down' and it made perfect sense. Like I said, I felt silly for asking in the first place.