2013

There were 75-100 phyla, but over time some disappeared. This graph depicts the Cambrian explosion where most phyla appeared and how over time some phyla disappeared. This is graphically the pattern that is central to Darwin’s doubt. It destroys the notion of Darwinian gradualism: http://www.veritas-ucsb.org/library/origins/IMAGES/H.gif Remarkably, as phyla disappeared, new species appeared. This is a curious pattern. Some have labeled this phenomenon “disparity precedes diversity”. NOTES 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylum In biological classification: phylum is a taxonomic rank below kingdom and above class. Traditionally, in botany the term division is used instead of “phylum”, although in 1993 the International Botanical Congress accepted the designation “phylum”. …. Phyla can be thought of as grouping organisms based on general specialization of body plan. 2. Read More ›

Ever since Darwin, there has been a tension between the theory of biological transformation (stochastic tinkering) and the concept of progress. Two Italian biologists have scanned 67,413 scientific articles published between 2005 and 2010 in 16 top science journals. They were looking for examples of progressionist, pre-evolutionary language because they suspected that evolutionary biology has retained some cultural baggage implying a direction to evolutionary transformation. According to their thinking, the Great Chain of Being concept, historically known as the scala naturae, has a persistent unacknowledged influence over the minds of many in the research community. This concept assigns a place to every entity in the natural world, whether animate or inanimate, “from the lowest steps of the ladder occupied by Read More ›

It may come as a surprise to learn that evolutionists have a great deal of work to do to put their house in order. Although the title of Kevin Padian’s article refers to common misrepresentation of evolution in textbooks and the media, the abstract makes it clear that many of the problems are “confusingly discussed in the scientific literature” (meaning that professional evolutionists are also at fault). Nevertheless, textbooks are Padian’s main target, and we agree with his thesis that changes are long overdue. Nevertheless, the details of the proposed changes need to be considered critically. We cannot discuss in this blog all the issues raised by Padian, but we shall look at some in each of the three sections Read More ›

After some hesitation, I think it best to cross-post the following from my personal blog; trusting that even the militant will realise that there are some things that rise above whatever animus motivates them: _________ >>Given the extreme hostility and bullying, “out”- and- intimidate tactics that too often are associated with today’s online skeptical community (of which I am a target), I hesitated to bring up the following general prayer request. However, I have more reason to trust in the power of God in answer to fervent prayers than I have reason to be concerned on possible consequences at the hands of the vicious and twisted. (They, too, need prayer and a healthy dose of guilt leading to repentance and Read More ›

wd40 said here: ” some fish are more closely related to you than they are to tuna”. Here is a fish that is considered closest to humans http://seapics.com/assets/pictures/104657-450-lungfish.jpg” Lungfish are considered closest relative of tetrapods (humans are tetrapods). Thus it would be something like the lungfish that wd40 argues is more closely related to me than it is to a tuna. Well, here is a tuna: http://www.worldtunatrade.com/wp-content/gallery/gallery-2/tuna.jpg And here is a human: http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110107000310/jackyman225/images/e/e0/Indiana_jones_1.jpg Do you think a lungfish is more closely related to a tuna or is a lungfish more closely related to a human? Well, wd40 says, ” some fish are more closely related to you than they are to tuna”. How did wd40 arrive at this strange conclusion? Read More ›

“I want a god that I can understand.” “I want a circle that is square.”