[MD] Dawkins quotes RMP on religion.

[Krimel]

[Krimel]
> Asking how a purposeless universe can evolve purposeful creatures is no
> different than asking how an entityless universe can evolve entities. We
> don't need to ask how it 'could' when we can look to the evidence and see
> how it did. Entities that have the ability to access memory and use it as 
> a guide to the future are more likely to pass along their genes.

[Platt]
So I take it your answer to how can a purposeless universe evolve 
purposeful creatures and how can an entityless universe evolve entities is 
"Don't ask." 

[Krimel]
Not at all that is what biologists are doing. They are asking. If you were
seriously interested you would be asking them and paying attention to their
answers.

[Platt]
Also, I know of no evidence that answers the question of how "did" a 
purposeless universe evolve entities with a purpose to pass along their 
genes. So far as I know the beginning of life (the first life form) on 
earth is still a mystery to science with some theorizing it came from 
space. Have I missed a discovery?

[Krimel]
The evidence takes the form of the fossil record and the spectrum of
creatures that share our planet. Evolution is the bedrock of biology, I
would suggest E.O Wilson or Stephen Gould but Dawkins' early work in the
Selfish Gene and Blind Watchmaker would be instructive as well. Regardless I
would insist that anyone who does not understand evolutionary theory in
today's world can not truly claim to be educated.