Evolution–Science or Religion?
By Arlo E. Moehlenpah, D.Sc.
When I wrote my book Creation Versus
Evolution: Scientific and Religious Considerations, I pondered over
several other possible titles. Among these titles were “Evolution–Hoax of
the Centuries” and “Have You Been Brainwashed By Evolution?” I do not
know how marketable the book would have been with one of these titles, but
still feel these phrases have some merit.
The reason I believe that the theory of
evolution is a hoax is that the public has been brainwashed into believing
that it is supported by scientific evidence. In most of the school boards
and courts considering creation versus evolution, the issue has been
presented as religion versus science. They argue that creation should not
be taught in public schools because it is religion, but that evolution can
be taught because it is science.
The truth is, the theory of evolution is not
scientific.
The theory of evolution contradicts known scientific laws such as the law of biogenesis, the law of kinds and the second law of thermodynamics. These laws are indisputable.
·
The Law
of Biogenesis
states that life can only come from other life. Life does not spring from
non-living things. This is what we observe and what the Bible teaches in
Genesis 1, where various forms of life were created to reproduce. Perhaps
the most difficult problem that evolutionists face is the question of how
self-replicating life systems could form from non-living, non-replicating
systems. Some evolutionists propose that in the beginning small
inorganic molecules such as water, methane, ammonia, and somehow-by-chance
chemical reactions, formed amino acids. These amino acids supposedly
combined to form proteins and then, eventually, living cells. The idea
that living creatures can be produced naturally, from non-living
substances, is called spontaneous generation. Never has this been
observed, repeated or verified, and thus, this idea is not scientific.
·
The Law of Kinds
states that life reproduces after its own kind. The phrase after his
kind is used at least ten times in the creation account (Genesis 1:11,
12, 21, 24, 25). This applies to both the plant and the animal kingdoms.
Specifically mentioned are grasses, herbs, trees, fishes, birds
, beasts and creeping things. What this
means is that pear trees produce pears and not monkeys, cows have calves
and horses beget colts. In other words, “like produces like.” The theory
of evolution
contradicts the “law
of kinds
” by saying that one kind of creature
evolved into another kind.
·
The truth is, both creation and evolution
are religious views. The issue is not religion vs. science, but religion
vs. religion. Any concept regarding origins is not scientific, in that
origins were not and cannot be observed, repeated or verified. Scientists
can only deal with present evidence. The choice of which theory to accept
becomes a matter of faith.
To accept something without evidence
requires faith. The New Testament states, “Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…By faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the
things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
(Hebrews 11:1-3)
The Christian believes that God created the
universe, life and man, while the evolutionist believes that the universe,
life and man somehow evolved without any supernatural direction; in
essence: “Evolution cannot be proved or tested, it can only be believed.”
Considering the majesty, beauty and
complexity of the earth and universe, it is relatively easy to believe in
Creation. Yet to believe that dead matter could create life, and have
absolutely no evidence, requires faith of another order. Some believe that
a cosmic egg of energy exploded to form chemical elements, stars
, galaxies and finally people. Some even
have the faith to believe that life was planted on earth
by an unknown civilization from outer
space. Since evolution cannot be observed, repeated or verified, it is no
more “scientific” and no less “religious” than Creation. One person was
asked, “Why aren’t you an evolutionist?” His reply was, “I don’t have
enough faith to believe that random particles arranged themselves into
ordered life.”
The zeal of Darwinists to evangelize the
world with their theory makes it also seem like a religion. They see
evolution as a light that illuminates all facts. To them, evolution is the
god they worship.
Christians, however, recognize that the
great Creator became our Savior and all of God’s fullness dwells in Him.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of knowledge and wisdom.
ninetyandnine.com
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2000, Arlo Moehlenpah
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Arlo Moehlenpah
earned Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Science degrees in chemical
engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a Bachelor
of Theology in Apostolic studies from Apostolic Bible Institute and a
Master of Science in chemical engineering from the University of
Minnesota. He has taught in three secular colleges and universities and
four Bible colleges endorsed by the United Pentecostal Church
International. He and his wife Jane were involved in the “evolution” of
three grown children, Ed, Glenda, and Sam.
Editor’s Note:
All scientific references for this article can be found in Moehlenpah’s
Creation Versus
Evolution: Scientific and Religious Considerations, available at his
www.DoingGood.org
web site. The site also contains 31 challenging Bible Quizzes on various
aspects of the Bible, as well as study guide questions for a number of
books of the Bible. Have an opinion
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