I started searching the internet for more information because much of what she was saying and what I was reading made sense,
Very good idea. Good for you for not being lazy and doing some legwork.
but I didn't trust my own judgment.
Trust your judgment, but also ask friends (those who have proven themselves and aren't invested either way in your religious future) to give you a second opinion. You can think for yourself. You are obviously an intelligent person. It is their goal to convince you that you can't and shouldn't think for yourself. If they achieve this goal, they literally have the keys to your mind.
I haven't seen the ugliness that I read about here and as an outsider, it looks comforting.
Likely you won't. They try very hard to appear happy and loving 24-7 in front of a prospective convert. I've literally heard a witness say "don't scare off my study!" And likely most of the witnesses you'll meet aren't as bad as some of the ones mentioned here; it's not that they are "ugly" all the time, it's that the consequences and effects of that ugliness, when it does surface, are absolutely unacceptable.
I don't have any formed religious beliefs, so she's really working with a blank canvas.
Yikes. It's not like you can just go out and pick up some religious beliefs at the nearest Kmart, but truly, if you can start to get an idea of your own core philosophy, you'll be much better protected. You're in a vulnerable spot otherwise because she can more easily mold you if you aren't yet set in any specific position.
I'm not at a place where I can honestly believe that the bible is *inspired* so it's all very hypothetical: IF the bible is truly the word of God, is what they're telling me accurate?
This is where I strongly re-emphasize studying with more than one bible and seeking out third-party commentaries on bible passages. You'll quickly note the diversity of translation and interpretation of meaning.
The arguments against evolution seem flawed because their definition of evolution is so limited - they don't seem to deny adaptation and natural selection as legitimate mechanisms.
Just remember that you can't *prove* a scientific theory, only disprove it. An unchanging earth is a theory that can be disproven with physical evidence. Evolution cannot.
But hell -- I haven't seen evidence of a change from one species to another.
How about dog breeding? All those "toy" and "teacup" size dogs? Dog breeding is an individual seizing the steering wheel of genetic selection and hitting the gas hard. Yes, I know, the dog breeding is a deliberate process, unlike the environmentally-driven evolution theory, but it does prove that genes from one generation translate into physical differences for the succeeding generation, and with evolution, the environment's challenges determine which gene carriers survive, based on their genetically-determined physical attributes.
What are the explanations for homo habilis, erectus, etc? Other species (not related to humans) that died off?
They had fundamental differences in the physical expression of their genes that made them undercompetitive and therefore they lost out to other species in their habitats.
I'm still coming here to see the Devil's Advocates, as it were -- to discover the questions that I want to ask, that I haven't been able to form.
Again, very very good idea. Diversity equals excellence, in opinion and perspective.
I don't have anyone to talk to about this - I've felt tremendously conflicted for the last several weeks.
And likely you will until you decide where you stand. It's a tough spot, I was there. But it will really build your character. Hang in there!!