Does evolution have a purpose? (Evolution)

by dhw, Tuesday, October 21, 2014, 18:49 (3469 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

dhw: Millions of God-fearing, God-loving Christians believe in theistic evolution, and I very much doubt whether every agnostic and atheistic evolutionist goes round denying personal responsibility, getting what he can etc. Much as I dislike his approach to religion, even Dawkins approvingly quotes from an atheist website such precepts as: “Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.” Though perhaps like many a religious believer he doesn't always live up to those principles!-TONY: So, are you honestly trying to tell me that the majority of people in this world put others first? That people don't destroy the environment either by intention or apathy? That people don't support, either through silent consent or voting choices, wars that slaughter thousands? That they denigrate peoples, such as the aborigines, who try to live in harmony with the earth? That they don't profit on misery and death? Westerners haven't slaughtered hundreds of thousands for profit? 
-Of course not. I am as aware as you are of the evil in the world, but you used the theory of evolution as a basis for your attack on evil-doers! Your understandable diatribe against them was preceded by the comment that the “assumption of evolution” is “a self-delusion fuelled by a desire to defame/eliminate the knowledge of God and bypass the influence that religion has/had on the political sphere.” I was merely pointing out that, as Darwin himself repeatedly emphasized and as the Church has confirmed, belief in evolution is not incompatible with religion or with decent behaviour. I don't think the Pope would take kindly to your view of his motives! Just like your biblical texts, people extrapolate what they want to from the theory of evolution, and frankly, I doubt if the folk you have described care two hoots about it!