Ah, the ongoing debate of creation vs.evolution. This is a debate that will never be resolved for these reasons.
1. Spiritual people demand the disproof of a supreme being from the atheist.
2. The atheist demand scientific or physical proof of a supreme being from the spiritual ones.
"No man who ever lived knows any more about the hereafter ... than you and I" Edgar Allen Poe
Neither group can, and never will, produce enough evidence to persuade the other. This is the reason that The constitution of the United States gave all Americans the right to religous freedom without persecution. This is the reason for speration of church and state. This is also the reason for protection of religous persecution in the workplace as stated in the equal opportunity employment act.
All US currency has "In God We Trust" printed on it somewhere. That gives some people of faith the argument that the US was founded by god fearing men of faith. However, here are a few quotes from founding fathers, former Presidents, and other famous Americans:
John Adams, U.S. President, Founding Father of the United States
"Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?"
"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."
"This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it."
Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father, author, and inventor
"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."
"Lighthouses are more helpful then churches."
Thomas Jefferson
"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity." Notes on Virginia, 1782.
James Madison, American president and political theorist (1751-1836).
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, Famous Atheist & Quotessuperstition, bigotry, and persecution."
"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people."
"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise."
"What influence in fact have Christian ecclesiastical establishments had on civil society? In many instances they have been upholding the thrones of political tyranny. In no instance have they been seen as the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty have found in the clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate liberty, does not need the clergy."
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution."
Abraham Lincoln, American president (1809-1865)
"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma."
William Howard Taft, U.S. President
"I do not believe in the divinity of Christ, and there are many other of the postulates of the orthodox creed to which I cannot subscribe."
Thomas Edison, American inventor (1847-1931)
"I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul.... No, all this talk of an existence for us, as individuals, beyond the grave is wrong. It is born of our tenacity of life – our desire to go on living … our dread of coming to an end."
People are going to believe what they want to. In my opinion there is no right or wrong when it comes to faith or non-faith. There is only right and wrong when it comes to our actions towards others. Thats how I judge people, by actions towards others.
In the words of Albert Einstein ""If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."
Anyway, thats my rant. I could go on and on with this subject for days, but like I stated earlier, it really makes no difference.
Hypoxia II