[agere_contra]

For the millionth time, there's nothing atheistic about evolution, nor is there anything necessarily evolutionary about atheism. I believe in God, I am a religious man, and creationism is still bunk

Got to agree with you AK. There is NO doubt our physical forms have a transitional or evolutionary link to other hominids. There is also NO doubt that we humans are alone on the earth as regards Free Will, self awareness - and for those who believe - immortal souls.

I don't know if Neanderthals, Homo Erectus, etc had free will. I guess so: they certainly banged a lot of interesting rocks together in Olduvai gorge. I'm not sure that Christianity is predicated either way - after all, it's quite possible that we will meet Aliens one day who are also being saved by Christ, or aliens who will need such saving (or aliens who are not fallen - imagine that!). It's these sort of questions that I wish Christians would show interest in, rather than this tired 19th Century controversy.

[dread78645]

... it's quite possible that we will meet Aliens one day who are also being saved by Christ, or aliens who will need such saving (or aliens who are not fallen - imagine that!). It's these sort of questions that I wish Christians would show interest in,...

One did, Giordano Bruno.
The Church had him burnd at the stake in 1600 for heresy.

[stands2reason]

You sound like someone who understands that the state of one's soul is more important than the state of matter. I wish more people did.