[MD] Dawkins quotes RMP on religion.

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Platt]
> how did any inorganic patterns begin to self-replicate and why?

See "The Blind Watchmaker" by Richard Dawkins. 
Craig

[Platt]
> There would be no need for metaphysics if science had, or could have, all the answers.   
  
But only science (& not metaphysics) has the answer to your question.
Craig

[[Krimel]
> evolution was never and has never been proposed as a theory to
> explain the origins of life. 

See "Lila" by Robert Pirsig.
Craig