Evolution, Such a Lie!

CNN reported that a Christian group has printed a copy of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species adding a 50-page preface to it. The preface reportedly speaks against evolution in favor of creationism. Part of the reason this news has achieved notoriety is that former teenage television star Kirk Cameron is part of the initiative. But also because many people are speaking against evolution.

The group, it was reported, planned to distribute free copies of the book to students at a 100 American universities. CNN reports that the preface links Darwin’s theory of evolution to, among other things, Adolph Hitler.

The problem is not so much that this Christian organization is handing out the book at universities (after all, it is advantageous for college students to be exposed to all kinds of views). The problem is that they are going about it the wrong way. If their intent is to change the science world’s opinion in relationship to evolution, then they should try to do it in a scientific way.

Because of fossils, carbon dating and DNA testing–to name a few fields offering evidence–evolution has gained in acceptance since it was first postulated. The only way to seriously challenge it would be with verifiable scientific evidence. That has not happened.

Now, one may choose to believe or not to believe in a supreme creator, God, or intelligent energy. That doesn’t necessarily mean that evolution is wrong. Why is it then that these Christian groups  are targeting Darwin?Except for people who believe that the Bible has to be interpreted literally, believing in evolution should pose no threat to Christianity.

I’m arguing that the fight against evolution is not by any means a fight belonging to the Christian world in general, but one of radical Christian believers.

Because a group is radical, it does not necessarily mean that it is a tiny minority. In fact, one does not have to look too hard–for instance on the AM radio stations or online–in order to find preachers delivering tirades against evolution for people who believe that Darwin is God’s enemy.