Evoluion vs. Creation: Proof?

WARNING: Long post. Read when you have time to think.


How much of our knowledge is based on fact?


I'd say quite a lot. Pretty much all. And if we know something isn't based on fact, we don't store it as positive knowledge, but rather tentative. A great man (who I'm not going to name because of where this article is going to go) once said: "Every scientific statement in the long run, however complicated it looks, really means something like, 'I pointed the telescope to such and such a part of the sky at 2.20 a.m. on January 15th and saw so-and-so,' or, 'I put some of this stuff in a pot and heated it to such-and-such temperature and it did so-and-so.'... why anything comes to be there at all, and whether there is anything behind the things science observes-something of a different kind-this i not a scientific question."


If that went in one ear and out the other, what I believe he is saying is that the purpose of science is to make observations, and figure out the earthly reasons. Not make predictions about why the earthly reasons exist. Here's the point I'm trying to make.


Today in Biology, we were taking notes on "evidence of evolution." Mrs. Fehres's points were the following:

1) Biogeography- the fact that marsupials being restricted to Australia proves they developed completely post-Pangea. Another example would be Darwin's finches. However, I would like to ask how this proves anything? Just because I don't believe man developed from apes doesn't mean I don't believe in variations in species. I breed dogs, for goodness sakes. I know how easy it is to create something that is completely original by tweaking traits. I would agree that this proves micro-evolution (evolution within a species) but not macro-evolution (evolution from species to species, from whale to horse). It is not as though it takes millions of years to change a species either. There have been scientific studies done that prove these changes occur 10 000 to 10 000 000 times faster than evolutionists previously thought. How you can say that because there are different species in different areas proves adaptation that crossed from a monkey to a man, with rational thinking and a unique language, is not proof. It is doing what the quote-speaker said above, and putting too much guesswork into science.

2) Fossil Record- all I have to say on this is the following quotes from evolutionists:

"The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology. The evolutionary trees that adorn our textbooks have data only at the tips and nodes of their branches; the rest is inference, however reasonable, not the evidence of fossils." (Stephen Gould, Harvard evolutionary geologist)

"However, the gradual change of fossil species has never been part of the evidence for evolution. In the chapters on the fossil record in the Origin of Species Darwin showed that the record was useless for testing between evolution and special creation because it has great gaps in it. The same argument still applies. ... In any case, no real evolutionist, whether gradualist or punctuationist, uses the fossil record as evidence in favor of the theory of evolution as opposed to special creation." (Mark Ridley, Oxford University)

3)Morphology- the fact that bat wing skeletons look like human arms, and whales have femurs. This is a very interesting "proof" for evolution. I hope by this point, you are getting the gist of what I am saying: Though I obviously believe in Creation, my goal is not to persuade people to this (at least not in this article. just be patient...) . It is merely to point out that the "evidence" for evolution is not solid. It does not prove evolution or Creation in itself, and yet it's being taught as proving the evolution "theory" (which is rarely treated as a theory).

Anyways, back on topic: Morphology. Just because there are similarities between animal structures does not have to lead to the fact they developed from each other. What about the idea that they developed from the same Creator? Why couldn't God have used something that He found worked in several, if not all species? Just shining a different light on it, and saying that it isn't proof. It's just an observation.

4) Embryological development- the fact that many embryos look the same in very early stages. Again, if it worked why not use it repeatedly in Creation? However, a famous evolutionist, Ernest Haeckel exaggerated these drawings. The first is a drawing by A. Ecker:

Now by Haeckel:

Leading embryologists have agreed that he drew these inaccurately. From a site: "[Prof His] sarcastically pointed out that Haeckel taught in Jena, home of the then finest optical equipment available, and so had no excuse for inaccuracy. He concluded that anyone who engaged in such blatant fraud had forfeited all respect and that Haeckel had eliminated himself from the ranks of scientific research workers of any stature.

5. Artificial selection- the fact that by ourselves using evolutionary methods in breeding and farming, it proves evolution occurred. What? Does that make sense? By proving it's possible, we are not proving it occurred. We are proving the possibility, and not even the possibility of macro-evolution, but micro-evolution. Furthermore, I would like to see someone use selective breeding to turn a snake into a frog- things that are "closely related." I would say this in no way justifies macro-evolution.

6. Biochemistry- similarities in molecular biology in nonidentical species.

Mrs. Fehres gave the example of respiratory enzymes. She said that humans have 48% of the same respiratory enzymes as bacteria. Humans and chickens share 86%. Humans and rabbits share 92%. Humans and chimps share 100%. However, I ask again, what is the point of these enzymes? If different species use them and they work to their purposes, then why not use them in multiple species? This does not prove gradual development. It proves something higher. I mean, bacteria? Actually, the amount of change that would have had to occur and the length of time it would have taken for bacteria to develop into humans would have included so many mutations, that it would have probably resulted in much less than 48% (I don't have anything to back that up, I'm just thinking out loud).

I am not trying to prove Creation [here]. I am merely expressing the concern that evolution is being treated as having a higher amount of proof than Creation. Because the evidence is proving both, I would venture to say that this particular evidence proves nothing. It is observations, which is what it should be. It is not meant to prove evolution or Creation- what is supposed to decide that for you is your personal beliefs. It is difficult for Christians to stand up for what their beliefs are telling them when their blatant proof is being treated as meaningless. If Biblical evidence is not solid evidence, I would call it weak evidence to non-Christians. However, proof for evolution is weak evidence to everyone. What I originally meant to write this about is how unspecific evidence can be modified to suit whichever case you're going for to begin with. If you are gung-ho for evolution, you can find fallacies in my arguments. If you're gung-ho for Creationism, you can find fallacies in evolution. It's scary how that works, but it is very difficult for a person to make a completely unbiased observation of the two. And in a way, I think that's best.

Wait

I'm usually not much of a poetry person, but this is probably the greatest poem I've ever read. I've been thinking about it a lot over the last few days, and thought I'd share it with you folks.

Wait, by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

"Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "Wait".

Their Story, Not Mine

I just finished watching the Notebook for the umpteenth time. How many of you girls have crooned over the plot? How many have thought, "I hope that will happen to me!"
I have. It's an adorable story. Just as a synopsis for you guys out there, rolling your eyes, it's a story about a summer romance between a couple that is destroyed because of the difference is riches. Later, Allie finds Noah again and breaks off her engagement to be with him. He has always hoped she would come back, he built his house the way she used to dream about, etc etc. This is all revealed through flashbacks, and at the current time, Allie has Alzheimer's and Noah is still with her, telling her their story over and over again until she remembers. They're old and in a nursing home, but he still loves her. At one point he says to his kids, "I have to stay with your mother. This is my home now." All together now: Awwww.
But you know what, as sweet as that story is, the certain touch it has is not unique (well, it may be today, but it shouldn't be). That touch is loyalty. Even though Allie does not remember who Noah is while he's reading, he stays with her. He could easily drift out of her life and she wouldn't miss him. My point is, I don't have to have a Notebook story. In all honesty, I don't want a guy like Noah. He drinks and cusses, and has a violent temper. I don't want to be Allie. She's shallow and flighty, and has an even more violent temper than Noah. What is special is not the plot, it's not the characters. It's the element of loyalty. As long as I have that in my story. I'm not saying loyalty will make my story perfect. The only thing that can do that is a constant reliance on God, and the realization that my future husband will not be perfect, and I am not perfect. Expecting a married life to be a fairy tale creates a huge disappointment. Here's a quote I found in YLCF by Jennifer W.

"Another person comes to mind – a friend who just became engaged and then another with a different story and another...

Our minds become a bit clearer as we sift through the lives of others in our thoughts. We begin to regain peacefulness in our hearts and grasp a proper perspective once again. Yes, those are their stories. Not ours. Would we really want exactly what they have?

When we really think about it, the answer is no. We cannot be another person nor can we desire what another person has. God knows us better than we know ourselves; He knows what’s best. What may not seem “fair” or “right” to us today is actually a blessing in disguise. "

September Beauty

So, we had our first snow the other day. You wouldn't be able to tell though, since it was a "Texas snow," as I like to call it, meaning it never accumulated- just fell. However, as I write this, it is hailing. This picture was taken about two minutes ago.

However, this morning was beautiful. I would know- I had a 45 minute Bio class before school started. Granted, I was still waking up after all you Katy people were sitting in your desks...

Here are two pictures: the first I took on my walk to school this morning, and the second I took after I got home when I was walking into my house. I like the second one a lot. I looked up and thought, "Wow, that's beautiful." Then I remembered I had my camera and figured I'd share the joy with you guys.

"...where they found a road leading into the heart of acres of glimmering beech and maple woods, which were all in a wondrous glow of flame and gold, lying in a great purple stillness and peace.

'It's as i the year were kneeling to pray in a vast cathedral full of mellow stained light, isn't it?' said Anne dreamily. 'It doesn't seem right to hurry through it, does it? I seems irreverent, like running in a church.' " (Anne of Avonlea, pg. 376)

Drug Education?

I had the most interesting guest speaker yesterday. I was, quite frankly, shocked. In CALM (Career and Life Management [10 wk course required to graduate]), they have different public educators come to speak to us from charitable organizations and agencies. Yesterday was someone from AADAC- Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. I was figuring the DARE routine- and for the most part it was. We went through the steps of addiction: No use, Experimental use, Social use, Misuse, Abuse, and Dependancy.
Think about where you are from- where do you think the majority of teenagers fall? In Texas, I would say those who were "druggies" fell under abuse, and those who weren't were no use, or rare experimental. In Calgary, most are experimental or social. There are extremes both ways of course, but most lie in the middle ground. It's not just the druggies that do drugs here, it's a large part of the student population.
The counselor supported this, saying most of the community estimated misuse, but stats show it's really experimental or social. What blew me away is she said this was good news, because it meant most of our generation was using drugs "responsibly."
I was like, "WHAT?" Since when is ANY use of drugs responsible??? Honestly, I am amazed that someone who works for a government agency would have that mentality towards something that is illegal for most (alcohol) or all (drugs) of the student population. Throughout the presentation, it was implied that if you are familiar with the drug so as to not overdose, and keep a healthy balance between drugs/alcohol and your previous interests (family, school, friends, music, sports, etc) it's acting responsibly.
What she fails to take into account is that when you are high or drunk, your senses are dulled. You could drive drunk once, and end your life or the life of another. You could get hooked: 90% of first time meth users get addicted, and only 3% of those 90% recover. After that, you will eventually come into financial issues, drug trafficking/other illegal activity, or hurt those who love you. People overdose. People get raped. People loose their futures. Today a speaker who dealt with sexually exploited youth made a point that the highest-risk areas for abusers to locate victims were areas where drugs and alcohol are usually found- parties, raves, clubs, even pool halls were mentioned. She said that they looked for youth with a low self-esteem. The AADAC lady said that people who "abuse" substances lower their self-esteem. How can a government-run agency teach people who the other agency ends up helping?
Not to mention, illegal is illegal. Who cares if you're drinking responsibly if you're 17? The government doesn't. There are laws for a reason, and though you may not see the benefit of them yourself or blatantly disagree with them, as citizens we must respect them. Imagine if people each followed their own laws. If a psychopath murdered someone, all he would have to do is say he doesn't believe murder is wrong, and he would get off.
My point is, the level of addiction for high school students will not reduce to no use until they are taught it is wrong. Although the speaker never went as far as to commend casual use over no use, little attention was paid to the fact that it was possible to resist the temptation and practice self-control. When parents allow their children to drink under their supervision and educators allow "responsible" use, they are creating a future who holds no respect for the law, others around them, and furthermore, no respect for their own bodies.

Changing My Domicile

When we first moved into our house, I had to decide my bedroom. I had two options: first, the middle room on the main floor. Second, the humongoid room in the basement. Yes, it's that big. It was so big, that I decided I did not have enough things to fill it. It would look empty. (Pic below is Aunt Marie helping me decide. I was suffering a cold, so I was carrying around a tissue box).



All that has changed.



The other reason I chose the main floor room was that mom wanted to rent out the basement to two college students. If I took it, then that wouldn't work. Kassi moved in during the first week of September, and she is such a wonderful girl! We spent a lot of the first week watching movies together (Princess and the Goblin, oh ya baby! haha) and talking about what God is doing in our lives and our plans.



However, Mom really wanted to rent out another place. We were at my dad's cousin's house when she mentioned that a girl had sent out an email looking for a place. She was from Red Deer, AB, and wanted to do the advanced swim team in Calgary (Red Deer does not have one). She is 17 and will be finishing up her high schooling by correspondence. She will need a room to herself because she will be practically living there, between doing all her school work, and getting as much sleep as she can squeeze in with swim practice. Therefore, I came up with a solution.



Kassi and I will be splitting the basement. Jessica will get my "old" (two month) room. So I'm moving all of my clothes, books, and random trinkets that I have somehow gathered since we've moved (I thought I downsized a couple months ago!) downstairs as we speak. Jessica is moving in Sunday.



I haven't had a roommate since I was in grade five!

Schools In! Part III: Friends

My first friend is Kim. I met her a week or so before school started, and she went to Clements High School in Sugarland. She's in swimming, and is a perfect mixture of Catherine and Bianca's kindness and brains. She's in three out of four of my classes.

The first day of school, we had one hour of homeroom, and one of our tasks was assigning lockers and locker buddies. My buddy is Anna, a French Immersion student (first language English, but all her classes are French. A pointless system if you ask me. Imagine learning calculus in Spanish!). I really don't see much of her, but she seems really nice from what I've seen of her.

My next friend I acquired is Justine. Our teacher was looking at transcripts (you have to bring your transcript to class on the first day so the teacher has an idea of what your grades normally are), and she was like "Oh, where did you move from?" and I responded, "Texas." Then the girl in front of me whips her head around and said "I'm from Texas too- Houston." So I said, "Well, I'm from Katy!" and she said, "Really? I'm from Sugarland!" She's lived in Calgary for a year already, so she has some very nice friends that Kim and I have met (namely Anaka and Stephanie). They invited us to eat lunch with them. She's in swimming too, but she has a bad knee so she doesn't get to do much of it.

Then in Bio, there's a girl named Katheryn who lived in Cinco for grade 7. I really haven't spent much time with her, but she sits with Kim and I in our lab table.

I'm probably closest to Kim, but Justine is really nice too. We both may end up being sucked into their group! The trick I've learned is just say you're from Katy, and you'll find a couple people who know where it is.

Schools In! Part II: Classes

My classes are really good. They are challenging, but not overwhelming because there are only four of them. I think so far my favorite is English, with Biology as a close runner-up (surprised? So am I!) But I'll explain them in block order.
First block I have CALM (Career and Life Management). It's basically time management, goal setting, career research, future planning, budgeting, life education. It's sort of interesting to think that you can have a class on life, but it seems like it's the kind of class where you can get out of it what you put in. Right now, with time management, we have to write down everything we do for a week, and how long. That way, we can best examine where we spend the most of our time and adjust it as necessary. I think it will be useful.
Second block I have Math 30. It's half of Algebra II and half of Pre-Cal, so I'm little ahead, but it is quickly paced. What I'm relearning is a good review, and when we start learning new stuff, I'll be used to the pace, so it won't come as a shock. However, I am NOT looking forward to taking my first diploma exam, especially since it is in January, after we get back from Christmas break.
Third block is Biology 20/30 AP. That is my only class that is a whole year long (as opposed to only a semester). My teacher, Mrs. Fehres, has an unusual accent. At first I thought it was French, but she mentioned she does not speak a lick of French, so that can't be it. It has sort of a Scottish roll to it, but at the same time I'm expecting her to break out with "Ja," so my sub-coincidence might think it's Scandinavian. We have an overnight field trip to Kananaskis in October (you will get pictures!) and early morning classes on Thursday from 8:30-9:15, before school starts, so it looks like it will be taking up the most of my extra-curricular time.
Fourth block is English 20 AP, and Mr. McMillan is amazing. Our first day of class, we had a class discussion about Plato's expression, "All art is an imitation of life," and we talked about what life is, and why some people consider art what others don't. Today it was over defining complex, and how to write an essay over complex issues. He said the trouble with complex issues is they don't fit a A leads to B leads to C format, but rather A leads to B and D, but not C, although C leads to D, and then there's Z which doesn't relate to anything but A, etc. It made me appreciate The Four Loves all the more. I mean, love is complex. Let me tell you... but back on topic... He explained how the first step was to define the topic for yourself, and stick to your definition throughout the paper (eg. what is success, what is friendship, etc). Then he said take your random thoughts and put them in some sort of sequential order. True, you may need to exclude Z, or skip C, but that's the problem with complex issues: art doesn't do them justice. My homework for tonight is write an outline for an essay on the topic, the Nature of Success and its connection to External and Internal influences. It really is a though provoking class, and there are some people in there who have really abstract but logical ideas.
Something I've noticed about the school is that it is a lot more like university; you aren't babied. They don't take most homework for grades, so it's up to you do to it. You can eat lunch wherever you want (today I ate in Kim's car because it was cold outside, and ended up hailing as soon as we got inside). Teachers ask you when you think an appropriate time for something to be due is, which although is unlike university, it makes you examine your time management. I have a series of four projects due for English, and at the bottom of the description of each, Mr. McMillan writes: If this assignment is unappealing, come and see me about what kind of {creative writing, group presentation, individual presentation, essay} you would like to do. It's just nice having a say, you know?
To be continued... (Part III: New Friends)

Schools In!

Wow. I don't feel like I've been to school. It was all sort of a daze... so many new faces. I guess I'll start with this morning.
I woke up around 7, and showered/got dressed, etc. I had to be at the school at 8 to show the counselor my transcript, but otherwise didn't have to be at school until 12:00. They made a copy of it, and she rearranged my English 30 class, and then I went home. Mom had to go out to look at some furniture, so I was by myself. Kirstin said that we'd walk to school together, and I didn't want to be late, so I paced, watched the clock, read, wrote in my journal, paced more... you get the picture. I was just anxious. About 10:45 she called and said that her boyfriend was going to drive her, and wanted to know if I wanted a ride. I was like, "Uh, sure?"

About 11:40 they pulled up, and I was like, hummmmm do I trust this questionable-looking guy and these three girls with my life? But I had to get to school, and it was too late at that point to start walking. Luckily I made it safely, but it was a new experience. Think of Mean Girls, where I'm Cady on the first day of school, but make me more confused because I can't hear what they're saying (because of the rap of course). And stick it in a jacked up truck.
Class was sort of a blurr as well. They passed out updated schedules, transcripts, paperwork, behavior manuals, and calendars. We only stayed in homeroom, and we were only there for an hour and a half, but tomorrow we actually go to classes, so I'll get a better idea of it. My locker partner, Anna, seems nice enough. Tomorrow I have class starting at 9:00. Something I did retain is that debate meeting is ... oh shoot I forgot. Well, next week sometime.

After school, between seeing a zillion new faces and Kirstin's boyfriend's scary drive, I just needed to do something familiar with someone I knew (more than, "Hi! I'm Chelsea!"). So I thought about what I would do in Katy, and decided to call up Kim and go see Nanny Diaries. I mean, I was home at 1:30, and we had no homework. It was cute, but sad. Good lessons, but the major one that stands out is money won't guarantee happiness- so true.

I got a new housemate!!! Cassie Lloyd is a student in kinesiology at U of Calgary, and she's renting out our basement. She's originally from Vancouver. She reminds me SO much of Cassie Howard, for any of you that know her (same looks, same speech, same manners, etc). She moves in tonight, so that will be fun. Anyways, I have to go eat now. I made pumpkin pancakes and bacon for dinner. I'll be making a batch of granola after dinner, for breakfast tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Update

I finished Dating Mr. Darcy last night. Very interesting. I especially liked the examination of the relationship between Lizzy and her dad.
Today I quilted till all get-up. I've used over 375 m of thread on this quilt. I have about an hours work left on it, until the top is together and all that would be left for the top is the boarders!!!
I started the Agony and the Ecstasy, and it's more ecstasy than agony right now, which is good.
I finished decorating my journal, and I just have to write a couple more pages till it's done. Therefore, it looks like all my goals for the summer will be done. Oh, but I still need to do the pictures...drat.
Tomorrow is church and babysitting. Then I'll fiinish the quilt Monday, and school is Tuesday!!!
Ooooh, and some exciting news I just have to share! I found sweaters on sale yesterday, and I got two really cute ones. You know what this means? It means I'm not going to die of frostbite, despite the fact I own maybe 2 long-sleeve shirts, because I can layer up!!!

Chelsea's Library

In the last three days, I have read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Good book. It seems that is how I describe all books, so to rank it, I'd say, I liked the Magician's Nephew (book 1 of the series) better.

Mind you, Lewis himself said, "The human mind is generally far more eager to praise and dispraise than to describe and define. It wants to make every distinction a distinction of value; hence those fatal critics who can never point our the differing quality of two poets without putting them in an order of preference as if they were candidates for a prize." Smart man.

Anyways, I am currently reading, as of an hour ago, Dating Mr. Darcy, which is a psychological relationship analysis of Lizzy and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Written for teenage girls, so don't expect to get a college textbook if you check it out from the library. Plus it's only 140 pages, double spaced. I wanted to read it before the story line of P&P/ Sense and Sensibility/ Emma got too far out of my head, as the book refers to all three. However, I don't think I'll ever forget P&P, between reading the book and seeing the movie a gabajillion times. I love my P&P book. :)

My cousin got here yesterday with her fiancee, and he's been mocking me with all the books I've read this summer: P&P, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, The Four Loves, The Magician's Nephew, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Chosen by God, and Authentic Beauty. And Job, but I don't count that, because it's not really a book-book. It's a "book" of the Bible. Chris asked Courtney how many books she's read. "I'm a third done Harry Potter 7!"

I should be finished with Dating Mr. Darcy tonight, and then I'm going to work on the Agony and the Ecstasy, which looks like agony from its thickness and print size, but hopefully will be more like Ecstasy from the content. Maybe. I'm hoping.