Quote:
Originally Posted by Arouet
But the fact that the theory does not require a designer and stays completely intact makes it much less likely there is a designer. (and no, this isn't the same as Stu's argument that we can mix together things to create life makes it more likely that there was a designer!)
This begs the question. When you say it doesn't require a designer you are already assuming the mutations are random which is circular. Further, even if mutations are random, which mutations are harmful, which are neutral, and which are improvements may well involve design in the totality of the system. For instance, suppose you say "Heads I win $1, tails you win $1." The flip may be random but the outcome is designed to produce ONLY 2 possibilities, either of which may fit into a larger design. If the coin lands on its edge, no result. If it falls into a crack and is lost, the event itself is nullified. But nobody wins or loses $100 on the flip. And only you or I win, not someone else. The point is that a certain limited randomness may ITSELF be designed to produce results within a designed range.
If fact, it must be something like that if an omnipotent God exists and He doesn't specifically direct every event. And you can never show it's false. Therefore, evolution per se can never demonstrate ANYTHING, even concerning probability, about the existence of God.