Evolution

Evolution means change over time. This time began around 13.7 billion years ago with the Great Radiance (also known as the Big Bang). Earth emerged 4.5 billion years ago, and life began a billion years later. Humans, like all life, descended from a predecessor, in our case, a relative of chimps.

Biological evolution proceeds by natural selection, not necesarily via the agency of an otherworldly Intelligent Designer. Yet just because an aspect of evolution involves randomness and mutations, this does not mean that life is without purpose and meaning.

Evidence for Biological Evolution

• Observation
  • Evolution of cultivated plants
  • Evolution of domesticated animals
  • Evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
  • Evolution of pesticide-degrading bacteria
  • Experimental evolution of cultured bacteria
  • Directed Evolution
    
    
• Fossil Record
  
  
• Genetic Phylogenies
  • Ribosomal RNA comparisons
    
• Phenotypic Phylogenies
  • Galapagos Finches
  • Barnicles
    
• Imperfect and Vestigal Parts
  • Male nipples
  • Gill slits in human embryogenesis
  • Appendix
  • Unused "pelvic" bones in snakes
  • Bladders that don't reabsorb water
  • "Wisdom" Molars