Does Evolution Demonstrate Purpose in Nature?

 

Does Evolution Demonstrate Purpose in Nature?

by Robert L. Johnson

The great thinker and writer Henry Thoreau once wrote, "The cricket, the gurgling stream, the rushing wind amid the trees, all speak to me soberly yet encouragingly of the steady onward progress of the universe." Is Thoreau right in writing that the universe, or nature, is making "steady onward progress"? I'm forming the idea that it does make progress and that evolution is proof of that progress of nature.

It's hard for people to see the big picture in most situations. For example, when I was a child I had asthma. My parents took me to the doctor on a regular basis for shots to help me overcome the asthma. I remember one time getting in the far corner in the back seat of our car trying to avoid my father who was trying to get a hold of me to bring me in for my shot. I couldn't understand why my parents would be so mean to me as to allow a stranger to stick me with a sharp needle. I couldn't see the big picture.

Not long ago I was watching the National Geographic Channel. They showed a baby sea turtle trying to make its way to the ocean but a crab got a hold of it and killed it and ate it. I was wondering why God would design the universe to have such suffering. Thinking about it, it dawned on me that I'm not seeing the big picture. My extremely limited view of the Creation is similar to my view of my parents when I was four or five years old being taken to the doctor for the dreaded shot. Nobody could have convinced me at that place and time that my parents were actually helping me. Of course, when I got older I understood. Maybe that's how it will be with us understanding why there is so much suffering built into nature. As we grow and learn we will see more of the big picture and then understand the purpose more. I think evolution can explain a lot of this question.

Organisms and their species evolve to make them better at survival. Based on nature, it appears more concern is placed on the progress of the species than on that of the individual. The baby sea turtle did not survive, but eventually through evolution the species of sea turtles will probably develop a better way of making it to the ocean, perhaps better camouflage or increased speed and/or awareness. If this happens, as it has been happening from the beginning of life, that will be progress for sea turtles, but not for crabs. They in turn will have to develop through evolution better ways of catching their dinner, the sea turtle. Which again will lead to yet more progress on the part of the sea turtles if they are to survive. It seems that nature is involved with never ending progress!

 






Latest News of Interest to Deists
Was America created to destroy Islam?
John McCain, who says he agrees with the majority of Americans who erroneously believe the US Constitution established the United States as a Christian nation, is endorsed by a powerful Christian preacher who believes America was founded, in part, to destroy Islam!

Click here to read the article
Both Democratic candidates promote the nonsense of the Bible!
Hilary Clinton says, "I think the whole Bible is real." So she believes in the talking donkey (Numbers 22:28), that any nation that will not serve Israel should "be utterly wasted" (Isaiah 60:10-12), among many other ridiculous claims! Based on the blank check both Democratic and Republican politicians give to Israel, it appears they're all strong believers in the Hebrew Bible!

Barack Obama gave a speech in which he used the genocidal maniacs, Moses and Joshua, as great examples to be followed! It's pathetic and dangerous when in this nuclear age politicians still cling to the insanity found in the Bible, Torah and Koran! Here are just two examples to demonstrate that Moses and Joshua were murderous butchers. Deuteronomy 2:34 in which Moses brags about killing "men, women and the little ones", and Joshua 6:21 which says the Hebrews "utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword."  How Obama can think this is good is beyond reason!
At least 50 people were blinded due to religious superstition!
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