Post by Fnord Fred on Apr 24, 2006 17:16:39 GMT -4
I wrote this as a short piece in an attempt to convince literal creationist and "Intelligent Design" proponents that evolution is not only compatible with belief, but the only logical conclusion. If anybody can punch a whole in it, I'm betting you guys can. Lemme know what you think.
www.livescience.com/animalworld/top10_vestigial_organs-6.html
"In an experiment designed by nature, the species of fish known as Astyanax mexicanus, dwelling in caves deep underground off the coast of Mexico, cannot see. The pale fish has eyes, but as it is developing in the egg, the eyes begin to degenerate, and the fish is born with a collapsed remnant of an eye covered by flap of skin. These vestigial eyes probably formed after hundreds or even thousands of years of living in total darkness. As for the experiment, a control is needed; and luckily for us, fish of the same species live right above, near the surface, where there is plenty of light, and these fish have fully functioning eyes. To test if the eyes of the blind mexicanus could function if given the right environment, scientists removed the lens from the eye of the surface-dwelling fish and implanted it into the eye of the blind fish. It was observed that within eight days an eye started to develop beneath the skin, and after two months the fish had developed a large functioning eye with a pupil, cornea, and iris. The fish were blind, but now they see. "
Why would God design by hand a fish like this? Dysfunctional eyes are a waste of food and energy. Are we to believe that an Omnipotent, Omnicognizant being is incapable of building a fish? Is God some sort of bumbling idiot?
Or, are we to believe that evolution is in the process of removing an unimportant organ from a species that lives in the dark and doesn't need eyes?
Which one are you going to believe - His word, or His works?
www.livescience.com/animalworld/top10_vestigial_organs-6.html
"In an experiment designed by nature, the species of fish known as Astyanax mexicanus, dwelling in caves deep underground off the coast of Mexico, cannot see. The pale fish has eyes, but as it is developing in the egg, the eyes begin to degenerate, and the fish is born with a collapsed remnant of an eye covered by flap of skin. These vestigial eyes probably formed after hundreds or even thousands of years of living in total darkness. As for the experiment, a control is needed; and luckily for us, fish of the same species live right above, near the surface, where there is plenty of light, and these fish have fully functioning eyes. To test if the eyes of the blind mexicanus could function if given the right environment, scientists removed the lens from the eye of the surface-dwelling fish and implanted it into the eye of the blind fish. It was observed that within eight days an eye started to develop beneath the skin, and after two months the fish had developed a large functioning eye with a pupil, cornea, and iris. The fish were blind, but now they see. "
Why would God design by hand a fish like this? Dysfunctional eyes are a waste of food and energy. Are we to believe that an Omnipotent, Omnicognizant being is incapable of building a fish? Is God some sort of bumbling idiot?
Or, are we to believe that evolution is in the process of removing an unimportant organ from a species that lives in the dark and doesn't need eyes?
Which one are you going to believe - His word, or His works?