Intelligent Design and Parasites

A substantial percentage of life is parasitic. While some parasites form symbiotic relationship with their hosts, the majority are antagonistic and live off the host until the host dies or causes immeasurable pain, anguish and misery during the process.Some of these parasites have methods and life cycles that are nothing short of diabolic and horrific, if not creative.For example there is a crustacean that eats the tongues of certain fish and then claps down and forms a replacement tongue! Positioning itself to be first in line for dinner.Invasion of the Tongue Snatchers! • Damn InterestingAnother graphic example closer to home is the Guinea Worm. A quick look at the images of will turn your stomachHere is a creature that has a complex life cycle finely tuned to the host and has the "appearance" of design. These creatures are very specific to the task and are not some otherwise benign organism that took up a diabolic lifestyle after some alleged "fall". Of course there many more examples like the Guinea Worm such as Hookworm, Tapeworms, Trichinosis, Pinworms, Liver Flukes, Roundworms, Heart Worm, Blood Fluke, Intestinal Fluke, Lung Fluke, on-and-on. Many of these cause severe sickness and death and can make Swiss cheese out of your organs.If life is intelligently designed what does this parasitic nature of life say about the designer? Edited by iceage, : No reason given.

Hi iceage,Your question is very similar to the oft' asked 'why does God allow evil?' question. The threads usually result in a discussion of what 'evil' is.However, I would promote this, because I have been asked the same question a few times recently. I know there is more than one person here awaiting and interested in the topic.Do you think you can deal with the same old arguments you know will come up? Is it worth the time? If you say yes, I will go ahead, unless anyone else wants to do it right away. I am new at this. Edited by Adminastasia, : punctuation

Heavens no I don't want that.Simply, did the Intelligent Designer specifically design the Guinea Worm and the testes consuming Botfly, in addition to butterflies, hummingbirds and kittens?If someone wants be believe that liver flukes are not evil but all part of some loving plan then ok - I do not wish to debate that.Thanks for highlighting this.

Thread copied to the Intelligent Design and Parasites thread in the Theological Creationism and ID forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.