[Tom]

About the world being complex, maybe its all just chance. There are planets out there with noone living on them because they physically can't, but because of our environment we can adapt to the environment (the environment does not adapt to us) and over years we can change ever so slightly so within a few million years we have changed again to fit out surroundings.

If we were a cm closer or further away from the sun then the world wouldn't be how it is as animals wouldn't be able to cope. Maybe that is just down to chance, it doesn't mean that there would be no life, there could be another form of life that can adapt to the new surroundings.

Also scientists only theorise the big bang and (Darwin's) evolution anyway, it doesn't mean it actually happened. Although the human mind can't process the thought there is nothing to suggest the world hasn't just always been here.

[NettoSuperstar!]

If we want to understand the world then we have to start from a rational perspective, collecting and critically analysing all knowledge. And thats where religions broke down in my view. Im not sure Jesus would ever have intended whats happened in his name, he was an advocate of seeking knowledge and asking questions! If you believe in Creationism over Evolution then your ignoring an overwhelming body of evidence and being irrational. Being irrational can be dangerous.

The theory of evolution has come about from evidence and critical examination of facts. We're not there yet, and probably will never know the ultimate "truth" but we've come along way since the days of Jesus, shame some religious thinkers havent.

In answer to the question- Can religion and science co-exist? Yes of course they can when organised religions and the people who practice them are prepared to "evolve" and look rationally at the important messages and purpose which people like Jesus intended and not get stuck in outdated dogma and highly probable misinterpretations(which many religious people are able to do- I'll add).

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Mark
Religion easily pushes off Carbon Dating as complete nonsense, and a non credible source. Just as well really as it does pretty much debunk one of their main texts in Genesis, in that God created the world 6000 years ago.

The church ARE clever yes, and it's ridiculous how much power and freedom they are allowed in today’s society. Don't get me started on their tax exemptions, the fuss they are causing over the Atheism ads on busses in London, or even the uproar after Obama rightly mentioned 'non believers' in his speech.

I don't understand how you can believe in evolution but also be religious. They are a complete contradiction of each other, and to try and piece them together seems a cop-out from what more than likely probably happened. None of us will know in our lifetime what REALLY happened, but every day science is coming up with more explanations, and trying to piece together the evidence to back up its findings. Religion has stuck to the same old story for thousands of years, and will continue to brainwash kids at the age where they aren't old enough to think for themselves. At the end of the day they are a profit making organisation, and if you have to tell a small white lie to make billions of pounds, why not!

Of all the replies thus far this is the one I aree with the most......A huge touch of realty.....

Considering the argument evolution or religion in theory they can both be compatible..(Not that I believe either) Compatible in the sense that evolution could be an aspect of creation. In other words created to evolve but evolution not in itself responsible for creation......If that makes sense...

From my perspective Religion is something from the dark ages and should have remained there and evolution is just an attempt to answer what will probably never be answered.