N.Wells
Posts: 1836 Joined: Oct. 2005
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Quote (GaryGaulin @ Jan. 22 2016,20:27) | Quote (N.Wells @ Jan. 22 2016,10:56) | We mostly do not use methodological naturalism because of prior belief in it (i.e. metaphysical naturalism) but because of empirical experience. |
Then show me convincing empirical evidence that we were not created by the "behavior of matter" (a.k.a. our "Creator"). |
I just answered your challenge by providing examples of evolution proceeding by means of mutation, recombination, genetic drift, and natural selection, rather than needing a "Creator". Why don't you deal with that that before moving the goalposts yet again?
Edited to add: To answer your question narrowly, about our origin as humans, the evidence is extremely strong that we evolved from an as-yet unknown common ancestor that we shared with chimps, through Australopithecines similar to "Lucy" (A. afarensis). We share with Lucy similarities in dental morphology, bipedality, and details of face, foot, hip, shoulder, and arms and so on, but have some additional differences in those structures and some larger differences in stature, brain size, and general body proportions. Additional evidence comprises all the biomolecular/genetic and anatomical similarities we share with chimps. The changes required to transform something like Lucy into us are comparatively minor and none of them appears to be beyond the capabilities of well-documented evolutionary processes, even if we do yet know all the details. There is no evidence that any Creators or Intelligent Designers or other processes were involved, or needed.
In normal parlance, "behavior of matter" is the concept underlying standard scientific explanations for everything and anything, albeit generalized beyond usefulness, and is not equal to "our [Capital-C] Creator".
To most people, a capital-C "Creator" implies a divine Creator, but no one has ever presented any strong independently verifiable evidence for such a thing at any level from the outcome of a coin flip through storms, eclipses, volcanic eruptions, and the prosperity of monarchs and nations, to the origin of life. Moreover, there is no knowledge of how a capital-C divine "Creator" creates life (or affects a coin flip).
However, we are dealing with your warped use of English and your bizarre assertions where both "behavior of matter" and "Creator" have unique-to-you meanings for which you have yet to provide good definitions and any supporting evidence. The burden of proof is on you here.
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