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The ‘Scientific Fact’ of evolution

From Gregory Tyson of Canada, (indented text) who gave permission for his full name to be used. This letter illustrates once again how many anti-creationists are short on facts and long on rhetoric. The response immediately follows his letter, first in its entirety. The comments in the response are interspersed. Ellipses (…) at the end of one of Mr Tyson’s statements signal that a mid-sentence comment follows, not an omission.


While I respect the beliefs and opinions of others, I cannot hold my tongue to not comment on this trend to push us back into the realm of religious ignorance. It seems to me a blatant disregard for common sense to attempt to refute a SCIENTIFIC FACT, that of evolution. While the mechanism of evolution is subject to hypothesis, it must be accepted that evolution is fact. This trend backward into the Dark Ages of religious dogma and ignorance is a disturbing and damaging path that does not lead closer to truth but directs us deeper and deeper into the world pseudoscience and fallacy. To deny the fact of evolution is paramount to denying that the earth is round, an absurdity for a rational and well informed population. To seek alternative answers in a work of fiction that is the Bible is a crime of ignorance to all mankind. Even worse is to corrupt the minds of children with conflicting and dogmatic information that is not applicable to the modern world. Fester in your own ignorance, let the rest of us realize the true nature of the world. It's far more interesting and spiritual than seeking answers in Genesis. Thank you.

Response:

While I respect the beliefs and opinions of others, …

Actually, that does not exactly come across. Example: I believe that I have the right to defend my opinion publicly, which is that biblical creation is right and that goo-to-you-via-the-zoo evolution is wrong and has had baneful consequences on society. I believe that I have the right to firmly refute opposing views. Finally, I believe that your letter is nothing but aggressively-stated assertions, devoid of facts or any semblance of logic. By your own statement, you must respect those beliefs of mine.

… I cannot hold my tongue to not comment on this trend to push us back into the realm of religious ignorance. It seems to me …

But things are not always as they seem.

… a blatant disregard for common sense to attempt to refute a SCIENTIFIC FACT, that of evolution.

I understood that science involved evidence, not bald assertion.

While the mechanism of evolution is subject to hypothesis, it must be accepted that evolution is fact.

Why must this be accepted? Is this your example of ‘scientific’ reasoning? Screaming ‘evolution is fact’ over and over doesn’t make it so.

This trend backward into the Dark Ages of religious dogma and ignorance is a disturbing and damaging path …

It might surprise you to discover the historical fact that it was biblical Christianity that brought the world out of the Dark Ages.

… that does not lead closer to truth …

So, what is your source of truth? If we are really rearranged pond scum as you believe, then your brain and mine are just the products of random mutations and natural selection. So how can you be sure that what you think are true thoughts are really true? How do you know that they aren’t really just certain types of molecular movements that merely once conferred a survival advantage on your alleged ape-like ancestor?

… but directs us deeper and deeper into the world pseudoscience and fallacy.

Again, biblical Christianity is the best antidote to superstition.

To deny the fact of evolution is paramount to denying that the earth is round, …

We can observe the roundness of the earth (of which the Bible informs us in Isaiah 40:22). But who observed, say, a dinosaur turning into a bird 100 million years ago?

… an absurdity for a rational and well informed population.

A ‘rational and well informed population’ would seem to be defined as one which agrees with you.

To seek alternative answers in a work of fiction that is the Bible …

I didn’t notice any documentation for your assertion that the Bible is fiction …

… is a crime of ignorance to all mankind. Even worse is to corrupt the minds of children …

Is it better to teach them that they are just rearranged pond scum, the results of an unplanned process? Such wonderful results: escalation in suicide rates, kids wearing T-shirts with the words ‘Natural Selection’ shooting other kids (see How to build a bomb in the public school system ) …

… with conflicting and dogmatic information that is not applicable to the modern world.

The great writer C.S. Lewis called this ‘chronological snobbery’ …

Fester in your own ignorance, …

Well, I would have thought that an earned Ph.D. in science would count for something.

… let the rest of us realize the true nature of the world. It’s far more interesting

For whom? I find Genesis fascinating.

… and spiritual …

Spiritual? What has evolution to do with spirituality, given the dogmatic materialist bias shown by the leading evolutionists (see this revealing admission from Richard Lewontin of Harvard)? Perhaps it depends on which spirit you mean.

… than seeking answers in Genesis.Thank you.

With respect, how would you know? It would seem from your letter that you haven’t even tried, e.g. by using our search engine or the Q&A page.

Dr Jonathan Sarfati, Creation Ministries International–Australia

Published: 1 February 2006