Evolution has demostrated itself to be factual, it has been tested and shown to be true, yes there are gaps in the evolutionary line, but with time we find those gaps, and even if those gaps exists, logically speaking it maybe impossible to find every single one as it's not like nature at some point decided to peserve every single oraganizm that ever existed. As such since we can prove that evolution occurs, that we can prove the evolutionary trail as well, even if there are gaps. It's the ignorance of those that want to say god made us as is and there is, because they are afraid of the truth, that their god does not exist, that the world and the universe does not care for them in particular and there is no deity overlooking them for their happiness and protection.

Thanks. I actually like that one better as it goes right out and says this is strong evidence against intelligent design.

Someone posted this idea a while back, not sure who. But evolution can be thought of as an intelligent designer. If you explain to the theist how evolution is not random, it is pretty cool when the light bulb comes on - if it ever does. It dismantles their argument without bringing evidence against a God into the picture. This will not stop the adhocism that "therefore God created evolution to do that" but its a start. Unfortunately, christians think they are winning the "great" debate even though its all old arguments now called ID. It would be nice to move on to more fruitful questions.  So christians can give up fighting evolution, and atheists give up fighting ID. It can be taught in a philosophy course, not as science. Then everyone's happy!

Thats true unfortunately. We tend to anthropomorphize God too anyway. It would be nice if we could all agree we do that. Maybe by anthropomorphizing evolution you could "sell" it better to believers so its not some giant impersonal force, to make the transition less painful. Because on the one hand, we want to think God is in control and taking care of us but on the other hand, does that mean anything in practice?  

This article says that the fish had a serious mutation to evolve, but can someone please tell me any time when mutation has been proven to be a positive thing?

The HIV virus' ability to mutate is why it is so difficult to deal with. Obviously for us that's a big negative, but as far as the virus is concerned it is a positive thing.

i actually remember arguing with this guy on another forum, who posted a Dawkins video on flatfish evolution and ranted about how ridiculous it is. now the proof's out. unfortunately i got banned because i showed them jesus didn't exist so i can't do anything about it now......

As was said: the virus is negative for us, but the mutation's not in us, it's in the virus. So the mutation has to be evaluated with regard to the organism that has mutated.

But... you want a beneficial mutation in a mammal? SURE!

My cat climbs trees. He climbs them very well, and gets a much surer grip on the bark than his siblings do. He does this because he has six toes (and thus, six claws) on each forepaw, instead of four. His feet at also broader than his siblings' because of the extra toes, which distributes the weight from his front end better,  making it somewhat easier for him to walk across the surface of snow. If he had extra toes on the rear paws, he'd have an even easier time of it.

There you go. A beneficial mutation: Polydactyl cats.

google it. Yes there are polydactyl cats, and if you'd have read his statement, you'd have gotten a classic example of what a many(poly) digit(dactyl) cat is about.

yeah, it is; there's a community near where I live and 3/4ths of the feline population there is polydactyl, the other 1/4th being introduced rather recently as house pets. Over 75 cats in a town of less than 25 people.

Thanks Matt.. I was joking.