Changes

==Yes, it is possible==

==Yes, it is possible==

I don't want to write volumes here so I am going to refer people to a good book on this topic that I read recently.  It is "Primates and Philosophers" by Frans de Waal.  De Waal is a primatologist.  The premise of the book is that the great apes exhibit behaviors that are the basis of moral action.  So morality appears to have a evolutionary basis.  De Waal also points to cross cultural studies of moral decision making that suggest that some moral thinking is basically hardwired and not dependent on cultural belief systems (including religious beliefs).  It's pretty fascinating stuff.   

I don't want to write volumes here so I am going to refer people to a good book on this topic that I read recently.  It is "Primates and Philosophers" by Frans de Waal.  De Waal is a primatologist.  The premise of the book is that the great apes exhibit behaviors that are the basis of moral action.  So morality appears to have an evolutionary basis.  De Waal also points to cross cultural studies of moral decision making that suggest that some moral thinking is basically hardwired and not dependent on cultural belief systems (including religious beliefs).  It's pretty fascinating stuff.   

The common belief seems to be that the theory of evolution and the phrase "survival of the fittest" means that brute force and violence are the route to evolutionary success.  In fact, all sorts of physical and behavioral adaptations can be successful.  In the great apes, social behaviors that promote cooperation, empathy and sharing have proven to be successful strategies for survival. [[User:MikeAndrews|MikeAndrews]] 09:52, 19 January 2009 (EST)

The common belief seems to be that the theory of evolution and the phrase "survival of the fittest" means that brute force and violence are the route to evolutionary success.  In fact, all sorts of physical and behavioral adaptations can be successful.  In the great apes, social behaviors that promote cooperation, empathy and sharing have proven to be successful strategies for survival. [[User:MikeAndrews|MikeAndrews]] 09:52, 19 January 2009 (EST)

==A Former Christian's Opinion==

==A Former Christian's Opinion==

I was Christian for a long time. However, when examining the bible closely, and comparing it with evidence, I have seen too much to claim that I am a christian any longer. When I realized the truth, I was freed from my shackles of belief. My entire morality changed -- I had morality before, but the values I had then were not grounded in anything except a magykal man in the sky ready to smite me if i disobeyed. the morality I found through logic moved me to become a better person, a better husband, and a better father. It is possible to claim that God does exist, as human knowledge does not encompass all, not even close. But, with the scope of what we can personally verify, the arguments and claims set forth by christians have been largely proven false

I was Christian for a long time. However, when examining the bible closely, and comparing it with evidence, I have seen too much to claim that I am a Christian any longer. When I realized the truth, I was freed from my shackles of belief. My entire morality changed -- I had morality before, but the values I had then were not grounded in anything except a magykal man in the sky ready to smite me if i disobeyed. the morality I found through logic moved me to become a better person, a better husband, and a better father. It is possible to claim that God does exist, as human knowledge does not encompass all, not even close. But, with the scope of what we can personally verify, the arguments and claims set forth by Christians have been largely proven false