Lionz wrote: Player,
What do physics and aerodynamics have to do with whether or not there's universal common descent on an earthwide scale?
Not sure. Why do you even ask?
Lionz wrote:Thread,
What in terms of scientific evidence suggests He didn't instantly create earth out of nothing?
Nothing. He did. He just did not create Adam and Eve from nothing (nor does the Bible claim he did). And, he almost certainly used known geomorphic processes to create the landforms (not what young earther's propose.. that is plain impossible, sorry) and evolution to create the whole divirsity.(again, the young earth postulations are absolutely impossible).
If you mean why young earthers are wrong the evidence includes, but is not limited to: The entire fossil record, Geologic layers, Plate Techtonics, biology, genetic studies, the wide diversity of life and its distribution, archeological evidence, chemical analysis, etc, etc, etc.
Lionz wrote:Creatures very much do bring forth variety as a result of mutations and natural selection perhaps, but what suggests there's universal common descent across earth if a) famous evolutionists have made it clear that they didn't think the fossil record backed that up
Evolution is NOT predicated on one universal common descent for every creature. That the animals we see now have descended from earlier types that go well beyond what young earthers like to call "kinds" is firmly proven in the fossil evidence. As for what "a famous evolutionist said" A. you would have to show of whom you are speaking and give what he actually said, not just the highly edited stuff found in young earth sites. (Too often, they utterly distort what people say.) B. Famous or not, he might be wrong. C. Evolution is NOT predictated upon (does not depend upon) there being one universal descent. This has been explained to you many, many times..and no, it is not "just a matter of definition" (note, the "no perhaps"). The young earth sites that try to bring up this garbage are meeting their own ends, not telling full truths.
Lionz wrote:and b) similarities can be viewed as evidence for common ancestry or a common designer?
Cooincidence, lack of proof, whatever you wish... Alone, (that is strictly looking at the similarities) it is explained equally by both theories (plus a few others) and therefore is NOT evidence.
However, while the basic similarity seen today
might (not really, but ..t hat takes more explanation that I wish to get into now anyway), be explained by both, the fossil evidence, genetic evidence, etc is NOT explained at all, in fact very much disproves the young earth ideas.