Has evolution been proven ?

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Some evolutionists believe that the theory of evolution has been proven true and others think/feel "it is so darn close".

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It is more accurate to say that evolutionists accept the ToE as the best explanation currently available to explain the body of evidence.

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Some creationists believe in ex nhilo creation and some belive that the the word used actually means organized. Some evolutionists state that the enlargement of a birds bill is a proof of evolution and others state that it is simply an adaptation which will disappear when the rains come once again. Some creationists insist on a literal six day creation while others point out that the sun was not yet created when the first day was declared.

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EvC003: Regarding the theories of evolution and creationism, there is no consensus in either camp about the state of their individual case.

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Incorrect.There is no debate within the scientific community regarding the validity of the ToE. Scientists may debate the specific mechanisms of evolution, but there is no longer any debate regarding the validity descent with modification, and there hasn't been been for around a century.You are correct, however, that there has never been anything close to consensus among the Christian Creationist movement. You all can't even agree if the Earth is 6,000 years old or ancient.That's what happens when you let religious revelation replace evidence in scientific investigation.

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There are parts of cosmology and evolution that are untestable.
On other parts, tests have been run but we are required to rely on the veracity of the instrument and the reporter for the results.

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No, you misunderstand the scientific process.First of all, if you doubt the instruments and the researchers regarding evolution research, then you must doubt the entirety of science. The scientific method Biologists use is the exact same method every other scientist uses to do every other kind of science.Also, you don't have to rely on the resrarcher or the instruments; that is the tentativity of science. Anyone can attempt to repeat the observations or experiments.

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Some parts of the physical world can be sensed but not tested or described.

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Really? Which parts?

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The existence of God is untestable by instrument.

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Exactly. That's why we cannot include the supernatural in scientific investigations.Creationism is, in principal and in it's entirety, untestable.Parts of Evolution remain untested.Big difference.

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I think Charles Darwin was on to something when he said "If one part of the theory of evolution can be disproven then the whole of it is false." (that may be a paraphrase but it is close - I do not have my "Origin of the Species" handy).

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First, remember that Darwin's theory was Natural Selection, not Evolution.Second, Origin of Species is on line at the following site. Perhaps you could find where Darwin said the above and indicate the chapter?The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

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Though despite all of this, the authors all spoke with agreement; there are no contradictions.

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Actually, there are numerous contradictions.For example, in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke crucifiction accounts, the last supper is a Passover meal. In John, however, Jesus is dead before Passover.Which story is true?

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Well, I recently overheard someone talking about how the year that Jesus was crucified was "different" than usual in the fact that there was two passover meals or something like that. I know only that and will get back to you with the full story as soon as I can (Which may take a while).

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I have never found any historical evidence for a year with two passovers.The ONLY place I have ever seen references to this idea was where people were trying to explain away the contradiction.Maybe you will have better luck, but I doubt it.That claim smacks of a desperate attempt to revise history rather than admit that John changed the timing of Jesus' crucifiction.Of course, John changed the entire feel of the crucifiction story, as it was clear at that late date that Jesus wasn't actually coming back right away to lead the Jews to military victory over their enemies.By the time John was written, Jesus' death was meant to save our souls after we died, not the literal lives of the downtrodden people he promised redemption to in person, which is the message of the other three gospels.

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But in the mean time, feel free to supply me with any more contradictions you want.

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No, this one is my favorite.I'll wait.

Read all of Matthew 26, and here is an important verse:26:17
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?Read all of Mark 14, and here is an important verse:14:12
And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?Read all of Luke 22, and here are two important verses:22:7
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.22:8
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.Now, the account in John is radically different than the other three. Read all of John 19, and here are several important verses:(Pilate is speaking here)19:14
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.(emphasis added by me)19:31
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.John seemd to want to change the story in order to frame Jesus as a symbolic "Passover lamb" which God in heaven was sacrificing for the spititual salvation of humankind.This is a significant departure from the other three gospels, as I explained in a previous post.[This message has been edited by schrafinator, 04-08-2004]