Hi ochaye, seems we have a communication problem. Let's see if we can clear it up.
Can you not read advanced English?
Curiously, I am well studied in reading and comprehending what is written. Perhaps the lack of clarity is on your part. For clarity on my part I'll use the advanced english used in biology and evolution to discuss this issue.
In message
Message 3 you said:
A few religions do 'evolve',
So my comment that "you readily admit that some evolution in religion has been observed" would be consistent with that statement of yours.
Biological evolution implies advance.
Sorry, but you are misinformed: this is
absolutely false.
Biological evolution is the change in hereditary traits in populations from generation to generation. There is no implication for "advance" in these words. If you disagree with my definition, then I suggest you refer to:
The University of Berkely definition:
quote:
Biological evolution, simply put, is descent with modification. This definition encompasses small-scale evolution (changes in gene frequency in a population from one generation to the next) and large-scale evolution (the descent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations). Evolution helps us to understand the history of life.
Note: there is no implication of "advance" in that definition, OR
The University of Michigan definitions (two):
quote:
Changes in the genetic composition of a population with the passage of each generation
or
The gradual change of living things from one form into another over the course of time, the origin of species and lineages by descent of living forms from ancestral forms, and the generation of diversity.
Note: there is no implication of "advance" in those words either. Note further that these are from the websites used by these universities to teach biological evolution.
Catholicism has changed at the expense of credibility.
And yet you still recognize that
it has changed. Fascinating.
The issue of credibility is your personal opinion, and, curiously, opinion does not affect reality. There are still many practicing catholics, so obviously - for them - it is still credible. Their belief is unaffected by your opinion.
Rather than increase in population, as with biological organisms, the reverse occurred and is ongoing.
Again you make an uninformed, ignorant or misinformed statement about biology and evolution.
The reduction of populations in biology is an often observed phenomenon, and it occurs whenever a population cannot adapt to a changing environment (including competition). The ultimate result is extinction, as has occurred to most species in the natural history of earth.
The present leader of the Catholics has sensibly been talking about a slimmed down Catholicism in the future, even as he makes almost simultaneous, mutually contradictory statements about his own religion. He is fully aware of his impossible position, that is exacerbated by the long-held belief of the faithful that Rome represented the eternal, the immutable.
More opinion. Yawn.
A religion that is seen to change with its environment is seen as unprincipled; 'evolving religion' is a contradiction in terms.
And yet you have once again expressed an opinion, and interestingly, it is
contradicted by the fact that religions have been seen to evolve. This would not,
could not, happen if your opinion were correct, as the existence of a single changing religion renders your statement false.
Christianity is obviously an adaptation of new beliefs while deleting some old beliefs compared to Judaism, otherwise there would be no need to include only part of the old testament. You could say that it is judaism with a mutant jesus strain: all daughter populations of christianity carry the jesus mutation, and none of the remaining populations of judaism carry the mutation. The parent population has been divided into daughter populations, and judaism has since evolved separately from christianity.
Likewise, considering your previous example of Protestant in
Message 3... Protestants cite and quote the views of John Wycliffe, 'the Morning Star of the Reformation' who wrote almost 700 years ago,...
Protestantism - Wikipedia
quote:
Protestantism is a branch within Christianity, containing many denominations of different practices and doctrines, that originated in the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. It is considered to be one of the primary divisions within the original Christian church,...
All daughter populations of protestantism carry the reformation mutation, and none of the remaining populations of (catholic) christianity carry the same mutations (Wycliffe, Calvin, Luther) in the same proportions. The parent population has been divided into daughter populations, and (catholic) christianity has since evolved separately from protestantism, including brances into other different forms of christianity.
You can form a family tree of all the various christian and jewish sects and cults, showing descent from a common ancestor. This is evidence that evolution
has occurred.
A deity who changes his mind is hardly worth following, ...
And you know the mind of this deity completely and understand his total position on every aspect? Wow.
... , as do the lesser cults.
Sideshoots from the main bush, other variations, new mutations. Some may survive, many will perish. One could include the next "John Wycliffe" or "Joseph Smith" ... it will be interesting to see what evolves.
Enjoy
Edited by RAZD, : clarity
we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
Rebel American Zen Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
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