Look, I say we can have both sides of the story at the same time. To clarify further adaptation which is the pre-curser or early stage of evolution occours though the reproductive process of dominate traits. The more dominate or diserable the trait the more likely it will be present in future generations. Such as the lengths/sizes of various parts of the animal's body. This typically allows for increased chances for survival and possibly to better preform their niech or however you spell that word meaning 'job'.
During the ice-age there was a mammal which is the evolutionary ancestor of the modern Giraffe. Through mutations that occoured within the early stages of cell division for the fetus or through cellular metosis for the parents of some or several of this species became more pronounced such as the neck. The trees at this time were also evolving into taller trees. So those that could not reach the leaves died through a lack of nutrition or breed out of the gene-pool. Over time and subsequent mutations we got the modern giraffe.
Now then, personally I believe that we evolved, but the conditions may have been altered, slowly, by god to favor humanity. Kinda like how some mutations are not beneficial but are in fact harmful such as those which cause irregular cell growth aka cancer. This prevents evolution from happening while alive in nature as a form of natural selection. Leaving out humanity's understanding of medicine and such.
DNA mutations occour as the result of copying errors, and/or enviromental mutagens such as sunlight/radiation, elements/atoms, etc. This means that cells which do not correctly copy when they undergo cellular mitosis die-off as they are unable to preform their jobs in most cases such as feeding and dividing. However in the event the error in the copy does not prevent it from dividing in the future a new cell, with a new/different genetic code forms or has evolved.
In terms of more complex multi-cellular organisms. Such mutations can only be passed on and truely 'evolve' through that organism's reproductive process. Such as a sponge that reproduces by budding. If there is a natural mutation/growth that is different from the original organism and it breaks off/away from the parent sponge, that new sponge may exhibit characteristics of a new kind of sponge. We have to accept the fact that the fossil record is incomeplete due to the difficulty of fossilization or rather the conditions required for it. However the one evolutionary thing which no other animal seems to exhibit is culture which is dirived from consiousness aka the soul. So, in a way, I think we came from monkies and their ancestors, but at a certain point, if not all along we were helped by God.
Notes: The greek philosophers had a form of evolution, similar to ours in popular concept. Interestingly they also had their own atomic theory. Furthermore readers might wish to research Asian, particular Indian(as in India) religions and philosophies as some of their concepts were things such as the earth being billions of years old instead of thousands or millions.
And now to see the responces I get lol.