Challenging Darwin

Challenging Darwin [Excerpts]

Despite decades of urging, most Americans still do not believe Darwinist explanations. Four big groups are putting out fascinating books as they compete for the lead role in critiquing evolution—and sometimes they don’t get along.

It seems an uneven match. On one side sits a science "Goliath," using evidence for proven evolution (animals getting bigger or changing color) to sell the unproven doctrine of macroevolution (one kind of animal turning into another). On the other side roam [the] "Davids," [who are] skeptical about such claims. Prestigious groups like the American Association for the Advancement of Science attack them for exposing what the AAAS dubs “so-called ‘flaws’ in the theory of evolution or ‘disagreements’ within the scientific community.”

The debate seems even more uneven this summer as the scientific establishment turns up the heat. One example: Fueled by $9 million from the Templeton Foundation, the AAAS this summer is inviting seminary professors to “faculty enrichment retreats” at historic seaside inns and mountain lodges. For example, from July 18 to 21 “evangelical/conservative Protestant” professors will have “positive dialogue” on evolution at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, where they can enjoy “deluxe accommodations. … Ranger-led walk on Mt. Hood (easy trail). Guided stargazing and astronomy tour. Stellar dining. … Hot tub. …”

Meanwhile, judging from press coverage, the only significant response from “evolution deniers” is a 510-foot-long replica of Noah’s Ark to be unveiled in Williamstown, Ky., on July 7. The popular Wonkette website earlier this year complained about this product of a purportedly “meth-addled creationist lame brain…literal interpretation of the Noah’s Ark Bible.” Americans would generally never know from the press that a great intellectual ferment among creationists and intelligent design proponents is under way...

(Olasky, "Challenging Darwin," World Magazine, 6/25/16, p. 57-58)

[TBC: The creation/evolution debate seems to be heating up for the summer, with money being offered by the Templeton Foundation to win support for evolution specifically among Christians. Yet, as Dave Hunt noted in the May 1998 newsletter, "We have thoroughly documented the fact that Sir John Marks Templeton promotes Antichrist's coming world religion and offers a prize for contributing toward its development. That Christianity Today would promote Templeton and his occultism, that Billy Graham, Charles Colson and Bill Bright would praise Templeton, endorse his Antichrist religion, and accept that infamous prize for contributing to its development, and that other Christian leaders such as Dobson, Swindoll, Falwell, et al., would not rebuke such betrayal of the gospel is an incredibly flagrant rejection of the mandate to contend for the faith!"

The Templeton Prize often singles out individuals who seem to be working overtime to deny any accountability to our Creator. For example, the 2008 winner was Roman Catholic priest Michael Heller who aligns himself with his Church's belief in evolution.]