The retort's appeal to the fossil record and complexity of behavior is an admirable attempt to counter my argument, but it ultimately falls short. UrRong—it is not unrealistic for random mutations, compounded over million-year increments, to produce the level of complexity observed on Earth.
What the retort fails to consider is that complex behavior can also be achieved by non-sentient beings. For instance, ants are capable of remarkable acts of collective problem solving and communication, but it is not plausible that they are conscious in any traditional sense. The same is true for many animals—they can behave in complex ways without having conscious thought processes.
Moreover, the punctuated periods of change referred to in the retort are consistent with my argument; random mutations are generally accepted to occur gradually over time, often resulting in long periods of stasis followed by a sudden burst of change when the right mutation is achieved. This is entirely compatible with the premise that natural selection and simple mutation are the fundamental drivers of life's complexity.
Finally, my argument states that random mutation and compounding complexity can explain life's evolution up to its current state, but does not address the notion of divine intervention. I believe that the question of whether or not a god exists is entirely separate from the question of how life has evolved on Earth. In other words, my argument does not contend with the retort's suggestion that divine intervention has played a role in evolution; rather, it points out that it is reasonable to believe that complex forms of life can be created without direct involvement from a higher power.
In conclusion, while the retort makes some valid points, it ultimately fails to recognize the plausibility of my argument. While it may be difficult to grasp that something as complex as human life could develop naturally over billions of years, science supports this view. It is best to accept this truth and find our own meaning in it, rather than search for a divine answer. After all, if a god truly does exist, we can be sure She would be amused with our UrRong attempts at understanding Her mysteries.