Can evolution be "believed" or "not believed"?

[CleanShavenJesus]

I know a couple of people who claim not to "believe" in evolution. But is evolution something you can really believe or not believe? Is there not enough evidence to show that evolution is true? If so, why do people think it's a choice whether or not to accept it. From what we know, it's true, whether people like it or not.

[DeistPaladin]

I know a couple of people who claim not to "believe" in evolution. But is evolution something you can really believe or not believe? Is there not enough evidence to show that evolution is true? If so, why do people think it's a choice whether or not to accept it. From what we know, it's true, whether people like it or not.

I've often thought the same thing about the question along the lines of "who believes in evolution". Sometimes such a thing is asked of GOP presidential hopefuls (most of the hands don't go up). I object to the very question as well.

If it is a legitimate question, then for the record, I'd also like to express a "belief" in the theory of gravity, germ theory and atomic theory.

[Cyberman]

Most certainly it's something that can be believed or not - much like the Apollo 11 landing. That it's a stone cold fact tends not to make much difference.

[One Above All]

It's not "believed" or "not believed" in. It's "accepted" or "not accepted because I've never actually studied it".

[CleanShavenJesus]

If it is a legitimate question, then for the record, I'd also like to express a "belief" in the theory of gravity, germ theory and atomic theory.

To be fair, isn't gravity a law?

[NoraBrimstone]

I was going to reply properly, but instead just smacked my phone into my face. That's my response.

[Darkstar]

To be fair, isn't gravity a law?

There is the law of universal gravitation, and then there is the theory of gravity. Law only applies to things that can be put into equations, as far as I know.

[Minimalist]

But is evolution something you can really believe or not believe?

I have no doubt that dumb-assed jesus freaks - and their equally dumb fundie muslim counterparts - don't "believe" it. Of course, they also believe in fucking miracles and a dead jew coming back to life so their beliefs are pretty retarded in any case.

[Anomalocaris]

I refuse to believe in evolution. Random chance could never produce a creature as totally perfectly stupid and as perfectly designed to embarass humans as a creationist.

Only a perfectly malicious intelligence can explain the creationist.

[pocaracas]

If it is a legitimate question, then for the record, I'd also like to express a "belief" in the theory of gravity, germ theory and atomic theory.

To be fair, isn't gravity a law?

This equation here:
F = G M1.M2/r^2

Is the law of Universal gravitation, as devised by Newton.... of course he didn't use equations, he just wrote the equation in words.

It's a nice, and simple equation. It has been superseeded by General relativity, but it's still a very good approximation of the observed effect that the phenomenon of gravity can have between two bodies of mass M1 and M2 at a distance r.

Gravity itself is a force. This force is mathematically described by the law of gravitation and that's why we get a F in the equation.


So, where does belief enter this construct?... this law?
We all feel gravity.... unless you were born in outer space and spent your whole life there, then you have first hand experience of gravitational force.

Observation of the movements of astral bodies, namely our closest, moon, planets and sun fit all too well with this law. Actually, the law arises when a guy takes all the available data and tries to fit an equation to it... this guy tries a lot of different equations until one fits quite nicely.
Other people check the results and, if they pass the test, the equation is approved and can be used in other situations, providing a reliable outcome.

Where is belief?