Creation occurred at some point in space time from which evolved first a physical universe then life and finally consciousness that could speculate upon the process, the next stage .... who can tell.

The manner in which the universe and life evolved is described in 2 general ways......
The concept of Special Creation  based on faith in biblical scriptures states that the universe, life and humans were created by God in 7 days several thousand years ago.

  • fossils are the result of the flood
  • all species were present at the same time only some of these survived the flood
  • evolution does not occur.
The theory of evolution states that life forms  evolved over time to fill many available niches and is supported by much fossil, genetic, and empirical evidence.
 
  • simple molecules (RNA) began replicating)
  • prokaryote cells were formed
  • endosymbiosis of prokaryote cells lead to the eukaryote cell then complex organisms
  • mutations in genetic material lead to physical traits that are tested in the environment
  • traits that ensure the overall well being of organisms in a given environment give individuals  greater relative reproductive abilities or fitness and their genes will survive and increase in the gene pool leading to evolutionary adaptive change
  • the evolution of a new species has never been observed

     

                                  Beliefs, Facts, and Theories

A belief is an idea that you hold that comes from a strong intuitive feeling or religious dogma. Much of the foundation of science was built by individuals with strong religious beliefs.

A fact is an an idea that seems so valid that it is true in all respects.

A scientific theory is an idea that started as an intuitive belief or hypothesis that is validated for greater believability by much observation, experimentation, and experience. Very often a hypothesis is disproved in an attempt to test it!


The Theory of Evolution is a scientific attempt to explain the source of diversity found in the natural world. Evolutionary theory has helped advance the studies of ecology, astronomy, medicine, psychology, and many other fields of study as well as like relativity, shaped much of modern western thought. 

Why the quest for meaning? Human consciousness bears presents and pitfalls. Imagine the first human inkling of mortality.  The sentient mind must create meaningful thoughts from a meaningless universe, the alternative is constant sense of ambiguity which can hamper living. Humans may thus have evolved consciousness and belief systems around the same time. 
Science is an attempt to extract a greater validity from the meaning making process and its results have produced new challenges for humans.