Myths of Evolution

The theory of the evolution of biological species through the mechanism of natural selection (survival) of beneficial genetic variations has stood the test of time.

However, much of the hype and lore that have evolved around this elegantly simple hypothesis have done irreparable harm to the scientific ideal and to the moral culture. The ideology of Darwinism, a branch of Scientism (not science), has transformed Darwinian evolution into a godless religion.

What I call the Myths of Evolution are the profound lies, frauds and coercions that began with Darwin and persist to this day. In this post I will merely list the issues as I understand them. Future posts will examine these myths and the damage that they have done to society.

Myth #1. Darwinism is not hostile to the concept of God the Creator. In fact Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species not primarily to introduce the concept of evolution (that was already known) but to “debunk the concept of supernatural intelligence.”

Myth #2. Darwinism is pure science, as opposed to Intelligent Design, for example. In fact two of Darwin’s early disciples, Ernst Haeckel and Otto Ammon, taught that “Darwinism had to become Germany’s new religion,” a concept that was warmly embraced and utilized by Hitler.

Myth #3. Darwinism, being a science, is firmly grounded in empirical methods. In fact, the history of Darwinian evolution is founded on a speculation about the origin of species, has been perpetuated by some of the most egregious frauds in the history of science, and to this day hides its many deficiencies.

Myth #4. Darwinism, being an intellectual endeavor, is dispassionate. In fact, believers many times become angry, denouncing the mildest challenges to the faith as unspeakable heresy. It has happened to me.

There are other Darwinian myths and sub-myths, but these will suffice. I’ll close this post with a note about a current biological crisis that parallels many of the issues facing Darwinism.

The newspaper headline (12/16/05) read: “Top Scientist Accused of Faking Stem Cell Findings.” (See also The Roughstock Journal, 12/15/05)

"South Korean scientist Hwang Woo Suk rose to international prominence for his breakthrough research creating the first embryonic stem cells tailored to individual patients" that could lead to cures for spinal cord injuries, strokes and diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Now Hwang has been accused by his collaborators of fabricating the results in his landmark study. "I just did what he told me," said a visibly nervous researcher at Hwang’s lab. None of Hwang’s work has been replicated by other researchers, though many have been trying.

Lee Wang Jae, a dean at Hwang’s university, said that nine of the 11 cell lines did not exist and that the validity of the other two was in doubt. "We can declare today a day of national infamy" he said to the media.

"If it's true, it's going to go down as probably the biggest scandal in science," said Insoo Hyun, a bioethicist who spent a summer in Hwang's lab.

This is what can happen when enthusiasm for an idea overcomes ethics. Just wait until you hear about the frauds in the inglorious history of Darwinism.