I haven't gotten any answers yet and I  _really_  didn't want to post
here but I have no choice as the people I've written to have not written
me back and the only person that did write me back sent me some article
that infuriated me because it didn't have _ anything_  to do with my
question.

I want to start off by saying that I am a Christian and nothing is
likely to shake that, but I am also hoping to be a zoologist and so I
have a particular interest in science which won't allow me to just
discount anything.  Life is precious and I still believe it was created
but I just don't really understand how that all fits yet. It certainly
doesn't help that no one will answer any of my questions.

You're probably saying to me now.. "Just get on with it woman!!!" .. so
here are my questions:

1. Why would God create intelligent animals like Gorillas that look so
similar to humans? If we are created in God's image, then are they
created in human's image?

2. What are kinds? Dogs, wolves, coyotes, and foxes are similar and I
really do believe they have a common ancestor. They're also carnivores.
Do they share a common ancestor with other members of Carnivora?
Carnivores in that group are placentals. Do all placentals share a
common ancestor? Do all mammals? And how far back does it go?

3. Why do modern plants like angiosperms (fruit trees included) not
appear in the fossil record at the same time as ferns and gymnosperms
and lower plants?

To be honest I hate these questions but I can't get rid of them. I can't
just... not think of them. That doesn't work for me even if it does for
other people. I want answers badly but I haven't been able to find
anyone who can help me. This place is my last hope to find something to
help me understand. Also keep in mind I am only in my second year of
college so try to explain things so I can understand them.

Wendy