Re: Quote Mine Project - Part II

david ford wrote:
> Correct me if I am wrong, Charles & Mambo, but you believe that
> life came from non-life in the distant past, correct?
> What is the basis for your belief that life came from non-life?
> Perhaps partly your atheism?

"My atheism" is not the basis for anything. It is the other way around - I 
am an atheist because I rely strictly on reason, rationality and logic, 
which is just the opposite of faith, superstition and religious brainwashing.

I hold no "beliefs" about life "coming" from anything, and instead rely on 
science to provide the best possible answers, theories and explanations on 
how something happened. Since one can observe fossils nicely layered in 
different radiometrically dated strata, starting from simple multi-celled 
organisms 4 billion years ago to complex mammals and reptiles much later, 
and also knowing that amino-acids were successfully replicated in the lab 
conditions simulating the early Earth, there is no possible reason not to 
conclude that life developed from "non-life", if you wish.

Considering the preponderance of available evidence and considering the 
absence of any other scientifically formulated hypothesis, it is only 
reasonable to assume this flow of events.

Now, if you have any evidence to offer as far as deities or aliens 
"creating" life, we'd all like to see it. Of course, if this will mean the 
standard creationist crap, then spare us. We heard it all and were utterly 
unimpressed.



-- 
Got to be a Chocolate Jesus, better than a cup of gold
See, only a Chocolate Jesus can satisfy my soul
When the weather gets rough and its whiskey in the shade
Best to wrap your Savior up in cellophane
He flows like the Big Muddy, but that's okay
Pour him over ice-cream for a nice parfait...
Got to be a Chocolate Jesus, make me feel so good inside
Got to be a Chocolate Jesus, keep me satisfied