Half of British adults do not believe in evolution, with at least 22% preferring the theories of creationism or intelligent design to explain how the world came about, according to a survey....... Half of the 2,060 people questioned were either strongly opposed to the theory or confused about it...... Guardian newspaper, Febuary 2009.
The survey was conducted by the respected polling firm ComRes.
Introduction. Charles Darwin published his book "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" in 1859. Although the theory has been modified since Darwin's original theory (for example neo-Darwinism), he is still considered a major originator of the theory of evolution as it stands today. Although still a theory, nowadays the theory of evolution tends to be accepted largely as fact in most schools and universities across the world and by most of the media.
However, since the theory of evolution was first put forward, scientific knowledge has progressed enormously. One major area of scientific progress since Darwin's day concerns DNA. The structure of DNA, the way in which DNA replicates and codes for proteins and the genes involved in coding for specific proteins were unknown in Darwin's day. Also, in Darwin's day there was little known about the intricate and highly complex inner workings of cells, they were thought to be relatively simple.
Indeed, there are many well qualified scientists and academics who are writing books that question the science behind the theory of evolution or have publicly declared dissatisfaction with the theory of evolution.,
These include:-
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Professor Michael Behe (Biochemist and author of Darwin's Black Box).
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Professor Norman Nevin (OBE, Professor of Medical Genetics, editor and one of the authors of Should Christians Embrace Evolution).
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Dr Michael Denton (molecular biologist, medical Doctor and author of Evolution: A Theory In Crisis).
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Professor Paul Back (Former Rhodes scholar and author of Darwinism and The Rise of Degenerate Science).
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Phillip Johnson (Professor of Law and author of Darwin on Trial).
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Professor William Dembski (author of Intelligent Design: The Bridge between Science and Theology).
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David Swift (author of Evolution Under the Microscope: A Scientific Critique of the Theory of Evolution)
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Dr Gary Paker (Biologist, author of The Fossil book).
+ Many other books and authors. Over 800 Scientists with at least a PhD have signed a dissent from Darwinism statement.
"Darwinian evolutionary theory was my field of specialization in biology. Among other things, I wrote a textbook on the subject thirty years ago. Meanwhile, however I have become an apostate from Darwinian theory and have described it as part of modernism’s origination myth. Consequently, I certainly agree that biology students at least should have the opportunity to learn about the flaws and limits of Darwin’s theory while they are learning about the theory’s strongest claims." Dr. Stanley Salthe, Professor Emeritus, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.
Professor Michael Behe comments that there have always been since the time of Darwin, well informed and respected scientists who have found Darwinism to be inadequate (Darwin's Black Box, page 30) and Michael Denton also makes a similar comment in his book Evolution: A Theory In Crisis.
What are the main contentious points (see Conclusions page for this summary + more or see videos):-
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There is no explanation for the appearance of the first living cells (Abiogenesis).
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Living systems are irreducibly complex, mitigating against chance.
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There is a rapid appearance of life in the Cambrian rocks (Cambrian explosion).
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There are gaps in the fossil records.
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Living fossils show the stability of species over time.
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Anatomical homology (e.g. similar limb bone structure between species) does not always relate to similar genes, suggesting no common descent.
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Mutations tend to lead to slight changes in function or loss of original function, but not novel function.
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Mutations do not lead to larger and more complex genomes.
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The evidence for early man can be considered inconclusive.
So, does current scientific knowledge try to fit to an old theory that is no longer viable? Is there any scientific justification to believing in Creation or is belief in Creation an outdated belief like the old belief held by Eighteenth century scientists that phlogiston was released into air by combustion?
Is it not possible that God designed creatures to adapt to a limited extent to their environment and created diversity within species as part of a beautiful and imaginative Creation?
It is accepted that even amongst Christians who believe that God "Created" there are different ideas of "how" God created and some different ideas are briefly explored on the viewpoints page.
