Evolution and Tolerance
November 30, 2016 | Gerald WestonSubscribe Today! If you would like to receive weekly emails informing you when new commentaries and Tomorrow's World Viewpoint videos are uploaded, please subscribe to our e-newsletter.
It appears that Canada's most conservative political party can no longer tolerate those who find fault with the theory of evolution. Certainly, politicians are good at reading the direction in which the wind is blowing, so what does this say about the likelihood of questioning evolution in one of the more liberal-minded parties? Questioning evolution is just not politically correct. Tolerance may be found elsewhere, but not when it comes to the theory of evolution.
Michael Ruse, a former Professor of philosophy at the University of Guelph, is the author of an essay titled, "Why I Think the New Atheists Are a Bloody Disaster." He points out that there are certain metaphysical underpinnings that accompany evolutionary theory, to the dismay of many prominent evolutionists who have been angered by his work. Ruse wrote: "If teaching 'God exists' is teaching religion-and it is-then why is teaching 'God does not exist' not teaching religion? Obviously it is teaching religion." Though some try to imagine a kind of "theistic evolution" not supported by the actual scriptures of any religion, the fact is that "macro-evolution"-the idea that one species can develop into another-is by definition a theory that has no need for God.
The more we learn from microbiology about the complexity of life, the more faith it takes to believe in a random, unplanned, chance convergence of the many complex events that would need to occur to make life "just happen." And it is significant that, despite all our technological advances and knowledge about the building blocks of life, mankind has not even once been able to replicate this process and create life from non-life.
Skeptic Michael Denton, explains why so many people are eager to jump on the bandwagon of evolution: "The fact that every journal, academic debate and popular discussion assumes the truth of Darwinian theory tends to reinforce its credibility enormously. This is bound to be so because . . . it is by conversation in the broadest sense of the word that our views and conceptions of reality are maintained and therefore the plausibility of any theory or world view is largely dependent upon the social support it receives rather than its empirical content or rational consistency." (Denton, pp. 74-75).
So, are Messrs. Lunney and Nicholls really out of touch with reality? And should their sincere questioning of an unproven theory rob them of a place in the diversity kettle in which Canadians pride themselves? Have they been given a fair shake in the media and among their fellow parliamentarians? Not according to Lunney: 2015).
"My remarks were inflated by media, blended with other unrelated but alleged heretical statements and became a top story on national media creating a firestorm of criticism and condemnation... it is clear that any politician or candidate of faith is going to be subjected to the same public scrutiny in coming elections.
In a society normally proud of embracing difference, the role of the media and partisan politics in inciting social bigotry and intolerance should be questioned. Such ignorance and bigotry cloaked in defence of science is as repugnant as bigotry of any other origin. It is based in a false construct from another century and is a flagrant violation of a society that is multicultural, multi-racial and multi-faith and strives to be accepting of differences" (The Globe and Mail, March 31, 2015).
Whose "reality" matters, anyway? Certainly not the facile acquiescence required of the politically correct; the Bible warns that only fools claim there is no God, and that these fools' deeds are corrupt (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Will you believe the arguments of those whose anti-God, pro-evolutionary ideas will "end in destruction" (Philippians 3:18-19)? Or will you believe that God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, are truly the ones who created all things? (Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3). There is evidence! The choice is yours to seek it.
This commentary is an adaptation of the article Evolution and Tolerance originally published as part of the Oh Canada! section of the July-August 2015 Tomorrow's World. Click here to read this article in its original format. For more information on the evolution vs creation debate, watch: Darwin's Legacy.
Stock media provided by 2@kjpargeter / Pond5.com
