Hi Bzrd, first of all we don`t know all the physical laws in the universe, and also don`t understand many of the ones we are aware of.
Secondly, I agree that it is the special circumstances of our planet that has given life the opportunity to begin and thrive here, however, to place this in a category of jumping through hoops I think belongs more to the theological arena of thinking, where explanations can be tailored to "historical" events, which cannot be duplicated or tested. It is the materialist who demands as much proof as can be gathered who can change acording to new evidence.
As far as trying not to see the design in nature, nothing could be farther from the truth, it is only that this is exactly what we attribute the design to, natural laws, not something which created natural laws and has intelligence.
In the area of probability, it is just as likely for you to have been born as it was for life to begin on our planet when viewed from the universal scale, endless and timeless.
Where are the bounderies? Who can measure the amount of atoms in the universe?
It has always been and always will be, the absurdity of numbers themselves are exposed in light of this concept, and gives the assurance that life is a natural occurance according to the possibilities contained within its grandure.
Our very existance proves this beyond doubt.

• Your last line is interesting - Lake - July 2, 2000 - 06:25 UTC
  • I might call it belief based on hard evidence - Phil.O.Sofir - July 4, 2000 - 13:38 UTC