The Sermon Part 2 (Agnosticism)

by Carl, Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 23:50 (5946 days ago) @ BBella

BBella writes "The choice's of possibilities, in my opinion, for why we find ourselves here on Earth, are endless, and limited only by allowing our imagination. Why peruse only two choices:"
From some of your remarks, I am sure that you are aware of the Ancient Astronaut controversy. Here is a Wikipedia article that is a good overview.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_astronaut#Criticism
Speculation can indeed conjure up endless scenarios for creation and our existence. The only test to be applied is "Is it possible?", meaning that it cannot be proved impossible. I have enjoyed many sessions, especially over a cold beer, in conjuring up scenarios. If, however, the test is "Is it plausible?", meaning there is strong evidence that the conjecture could be true, then the Ancient Astronaut and other theories fail the test for most people. Unfortunately, religious beliefs play into the plausibility question, so that an idea which is outrageous on its face becomes plausible because it is consistent with accepted religious dogma. I believe there are true answers to the questions we have been discussing, and it may be one of the "implausible" ideas is the true one. But most of us prefer to stick with simple plausible ideas. And, even then, you still get strong disagreement over what is plausible on things such as abiogenesis. However, the strong evolutionary fossil chain for early man, the DNA similarity to apes, and the continuity of the archeological and historical record of gradual achievement through millennia would argue against outside interference in the last several million years. But it is still possible.