Fishapod sticks it to Creationists!

Chris OConnor

Fishapod sticks it to Creationists

Tiktaalik roseae is a fishapod. This means that it was half fish, half tetrapod. In other words, it is a missing link. Turns out, that theory of evolution people keep talking about is looking more and more like it might be true.
A number of fossilized skeletons were recently found by scientists researching in the Canadian Arctic. The new species is estimated to be 375 million years old, and its skeletons are those of what scientists label a transitional creature.

Tiktaalik has shows early signs of the development of wrists, elbows and shoulders, along with other features found on land animals. It also has a neck, which is not characteristic of fish but practically necessary in land vertebrates. It is likely that Tiktaalik used its proto-limbs along the beds of streams, and also possible that it occasionally went onto dry land.

Tiktaalik is not the first such intermediary creature; there are other fossils that scientists have long held as evidence that life originated in the seas and migrated to dry land. This species — of which there are several well-preserved, three-dimensional fossils — is, however, the clearest example of fish developing into land vertebrates.

The religious right likes to criticize Darwinism by saying, among other things, that there is simply not enough evidence to support the idea of evolution. Yes, there are already a number of other examples of intermediate species — Archaeopteryx, evolved to a position somewhere in between a reptile and a bird, is probably the best example — but Tiktaalik still strengthens the argument.

These arctic fossils are simply more proof that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence — it just means the right evidence sometimes takes time to unearth. Tiktaalik spent millions of years as an unknown — that doesn’t mean that it didn’t exist or that a missing link wasn’t out there.

Should there even be an argument? No. Science is science and religion is religion, and the two should not be merged or find themselves crossing paths in the courtroom. Even so, the argument has been raised tirelessly across the country for the past several years.

Science should not have to discover fossils in order to play a game of “aha” with the religious right — it should be discovering them for the sake of truth and learning. Unfortunately, given the current conservative backlash in this country, the game needs to be played. At least, in Tiktaalik, science has one more player on its side.

Mr. Pessimistic

My wife told me of this yesterday. Thanks for the link Chris!

This and the Judas Gospel may make some waves! Of course the standard course of denial and rejection of evidence will prevail among the simpletons.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor

Tell me about this Judas Gospel thingy.

Mr. Pessimistic

I just saw a brief story on TV last night. Supposedly it is a gospel according to Judas and it implies that Jesus and Judas may have set up the betrayal...that maybe Judas was NOT the evil bastard that 'history' has made him out to be. That maybe Jesus had a hand in orchestrating the whole crucifixion. But again...I am not 100% sure about the content. That is what I picked up from the TV show.

There are some books out on this too I think.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

riverc0il

Quote:
The religious right likes to criticize Darwinism by saying, among other things, that there is simply not enough evidence to support the idea of evolution.

it is histerically ironic that the religious right would criticize anyone for not having evidence.

MadArchitect

misterpessimistic: Supposedly it is a gospel according to Judas and it implies that Jesus and Judas may have set up the betrayal...that maybe Judas was NOT the evil bastard that 'history' has made him out to be.

The book is entitled the Gospel of Judas -- that doesn't mean that it was actually written by Judas. Non-canonical gospels make a lot of claims that diverge widely from the canonical version of the story. The Gospel of Mary, for instance, describes Mary Magdalene as one of the disciples, Jesus' favorite to be exact. Hell, for that matter, the canonical gospels diverge significantly from one another. The authentication of the Gospel of Judas is a major historical and cultural find, but don't expect it to entail any real threats to Christian doctrine. It's no more a historical trump card than, say, Norman Mailer's "The Gospel According to the Son".

Mr. Pessimistic

Yes, but they referred to it as the Gospel According to Judas. He probably did not write it, just as the people who are credited with writing the other books were not the (only) authors.

Canonical versions are simply those selected by the church powers, right? It does not guarantee validity, just subjectivity, right? A way to influence the history and future of civilization according to the desires of a few?

So none of the books are to be taken overly seriously...

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

Once you perceive the irrevocable truth, you can no longer justify the irrational denial. - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor

I heard about this on XM Radio today and am probably going to watch it.

tarav

Uh-hum! I did make a post about a program about the Gospel of Judas in the Religion forum on 4/5/06. The program is on Sunday on the National Geographic Channel. I was hoping to get a discussion going about it. Post over in that thread if you watch it and/or want to discuss the Gospel of Judas.

Chris OConnor

Brilliant example of a superior moderator in action. ::80

tarav


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