>> Online poll ignores Native beliefs on origin of Americas. <<

Oh, come on...should they have included Christian creationism as an option? The Mormons have a rather unique view as well on this subject...should that have been included?

The poll in question only addressed scientific explanations for origins, not religious ones. It ignored *everyone's* religious beliefs, and it was wholly appropriate to do so.

Doug

The point you miss, Doug, is that the native understanding of their origin is NOT religious in origin but a part of the culture and traditions of the people.

As a Cherokee, I have been taught that we were created right here, not on some far away continent. And I have seen enough in my years to know that much of what people (including "scientific" people) know is so off base that this belief might well be true.

>> The point you miss, Doug, is that the native understanding of their origin is NOT religious in origin but a part of the culture and traditions of the people. <<

At the risk of sounding callous...so what?

Allow me to amend my point: The poll in question only addressed scientific explanations for origins, not religious or traditional ones. It ignored *everyone's* religious and traditional beliefs, and it was wholly appropriate to do so.

How's that?

>> As a Cherokee, I have been taught that we were created right here, not on some far away continent. And I have seen enough in my years to know that much of what people (including "scientific" people) know is so off base that this belief might well be true. <<

Umm...please explain the complete lack of evidence for hominid presence in North America before 15,000 BCE (or so). How would you explain the fact that only H. Sapien remains have been found? If humans had evolved in North America, there would be fossils of Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, etc.

>> At the risk of sounding callous...so what? <<

That pretty much sums it up, but remember this is a two way street. More on this later.

>> Umm...please explain the complete lack of evidence for hominid presence in North America before 15,000 BCE (or so). How would you explain the fact that only H. Sapien remains have been found? If humans had evolved in North America, there would be fossils of Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, etc. <<

You are making an argument based on your world view, and predicated on certain assumptions which form the basis for your interpretive schema. Others use different assumptions. From a practical standpoint, I would look at your argument about evolution and say, at the risk of sounding callous, so what? On a practical level, exactly what difference does it make whether we view origins from other than a scientific perspective? None, really. Except that it seems to violate the tenet of forcing everyone to one point of view.