(Note: if you haven’t checked out Kaysen’s Korner lately, he has some new galleries posted.)
Although I certainly am a confessing Christian and believe in every respect the truth and inerrancy of the Bible, the complete erosion of my confidence in the theory of evolution had nothing to do with my Christian faith. When I first learned and accepted evolution as a viable theory, I wasn’t particularly well versed with the scriptures and wasn’t aware of any significant contradictions. The Bible didn’t claim to be a science book, so I believed that God could certainly create the world in an evolutionary manner if he chose. My misgivings grew from an analytical examination of the facts, apart from any need to satisfy a religious conviction. Despite a majority of opinions within the scientific community supporting evolution, I was hardly alone in my inability to accept such an improbable notion explaining the state of life on earth. Many respected members of the scientific community have clearly and vehemently stated their position that evolution is not only highly improbable, but it is completely discredited by the physical evidence.
Much could be said about this evidence, but my object here is to simply have some fun looking at some of the most incredible creatures God created. It can easily be seen through their astounding complexity that one of the fundamental building blocks of evolution requires gullibility that staggers the imagination. It has long been accepted that mutations of the DNA structure must occur to achieve the drastic changes necessary to produce a new and distinct species. We can imagine such a mutation altering a particular section of the DNA code, resulting in a significant change in the organism. Virtually every observed mutation has been destructive, however, the real dilemma is that even if a non lethal mutation occurs, in almost every case there must be simultaneous constructive mutations in several other totally separate portions of the code. Taking a look at the amazing creatures here, it is easy to see how impossible it would be to have such simultaneous mutations.
No matter what one thinks about evolution, these fascinating creatures are well worth taking a look at. First, consider this Killer Cone Snail: It would have to form its harpoon arm, while at the same time developing its poisonous chemicals. Not only that, but it must have its neuromuscular system in place in order to target and fire successfully.
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Let’s look at this remarkable species of sea cucumber and imagine how it must develop its specialized parts simultaneously so it can survive:
These next two are just as amazing in their own way. For the Electric Eel, it’s interesting to note that while developing its electric capabilities, it would also have to alter its internal chemistry both for conduction to deliver the shock and insulation to make sure it didn’t zap itself:
I have been intrigued as well by the symbiotic relationships in nature. Here are a couple of really strange ones:
Bullfrogs will certainly eat about anything, even their own young, but they digest everything else, so how did this strange behavior evolve?
Finally, here are a couple of my favorite critters:
Like it? Hate it? Agree? Disagree? – Let us know.
Hi Uncle Hank,
So, your post has been distressing me for a while. It has taken me a couple of days to digest it, and decide what I want to say, whereas I suspect you’ve wanted to make a post like this for quite a while.
I know you said that you posted it because you wanted to have a fun look at God’s amazing creatures, and I love that. They certainly are staggeringly unlikely, beautiful in their way, and awe-inspiring regardless of how they came to be.
However, you threw in a statement that, well, frankly, came off a little insulting to me. Specifically, you said, “It can easily be seen through their astounding complexity that one of the fundamental building blocks of evolution requires gullibility that staggers the imagination.” That’s a very strongly-worded opinion, about anyone who gives even a little credence to the notion that evolution is possibly a viable explanation for the wide variety and specialized features of life on the planet.
I’m not trying to defend evolution with this comment, although I will definitely go into a dialogue with you about its merits, if you like. Nonetheless, I’m troubled that you, whom I regard generally as a man who knows what science is and what science is not, would resort to such a condescending attitude towards those who generally describe themselves as just seekers of an understanding of this remarkable world.
At any rate, I do appreciate that you shared your wonder of these little and not-so-little critters. Personally, I’m still pretty amazed by magnets, water surface tension, how butterflies can do anything involving flying on purpose, and sunrises. So details about these animals are hugely interesting to me, and I hope you’ll keep sharing your observations.
Thanks Alan for commenting. I certainly didn’t intend to come across as offensive or condescending in expressing my opinions, but I do apologize if I did. However, I’m very glad you responded; your comments and opinions are always appreciated here.