I find it hard, if not impossible to believe we are descended from rocks. There are too many problems with chance producing everything we see around us. I find faith in a Creator easier than faith in time and chance. The bottom line is evolution teaches there was nothing, then presto, there was a whole lot of something, then there was people. It doesn't matter to me how much time you add to the logic, I can't swallow it. I think most people can't accept it. Polls show people don't buy it, even after decades of indoctrination in our schools and media.

To start any discussion of evolution it is useful to define some terms. Definition of terms is important so we are thinking of the same thing. Definitions have been taken from the Webster dictionary.

  • evolution - a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state.
  • natural selection - a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment
  • science - knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method
  • scientific method - principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses
  • philosophy - a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means or an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs or the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group
  • truth - in accordance with fact
  • Theory - 1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. 2. The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory. 3. A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics. 4. Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on experience rather than theory. 5. A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime. 6. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

    • In the definition of evolution we see change from simple to complex. To put it bluntly, from a rock to person. Most people think of natural selection when they think of evolution, but that is a mistake. Nobody disputes natural selection, that is observable everyday. Natural selection is science. Evolution is nothing caused the big bang which produced a bunch of rocks and billions of years later here we are. It's interesting that when I was in high school they claimed millions of years, but as they find problems they keep adding years. Now in terms of observation, think of one observable example of simple to complex without an outside agent.

    The claim is made that evolution is "scientific" so science must be defined. If science is defined as what high school biology teachers are teaching, and what the media promotes, then we will have a definitions problem. The definition of science is knowledge obtained from observation and testing. Since evolution, by its own admission, happened millions if not billions of years ago no observation could have taken place. The other aspect of the scientific method is testing. The common method is to take a hypothesis based on a theory and test it, if the testing is false then the theory should be discarded.

    Darwin postulated the passage of time would bring forth many transitional examples or missing links. He even went so far as to say if none are found his theory must be discarded. We talk of a missing link meaning a link between man and ape. In reality there are thousands of missing links. The link between dog and cat for example. So far no confirmed links have been found. For any observable fact there is any number of explanations depending on your presuppositions. The sediment layers could be from millions of years or from a flood. The one that has faith in time and chance will have to come up with some explanation of vertical trees sticking up through several layers of sediment.

    Since there are no observable examples and no testing has confirmed evolution let's classify it where it belongs, as a philosophy. Majority does rule in this case but that doesn't make it true. If there is a God, which I believe there is, each of us will have to give an account. Make sure what you believe is true.