Friday, February 15, 2013

I Don't Get This At All

Peter Hitchens on the theory of evolution:

First, what do these two gentlemen think my position is on the theory of evolution by natural selection? I will re-state it, yet again. It is that I am quite prepared to accept that it may be true, though I should personally be sorry if it turned out to be so as, it its implication is plainly atheistical, and if its truth could be proved, then the truth of atheism could be proved. I believe that is its purpose, and that it is silly to pretend otherwise.

This just leaves me uncomprehending. Why on earth wouldn't God work through secondary causes? We believe He created each one of us, without taking any of the credit from our mothers and fathers as proximate causes. And isn't evolution itself rather miraculous, when you look at it?

I would love to see the theory of evolution disproved. Not because it is any challenge to my faith. Simply because I would take tremendous glee in seeing Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, and all the other bullish Darwinists having to admit that the Intelligent Design crowd were right after all.

But I don't expect that. I really don't think there is a conspiracy by hundreds of thousands of biologists all over the world to hoodwink the public. Anti-Darwinists have been predicting the imminent demise of the theory of natural selection for at least a hundred years now, just like Socialist Worker party members confidently anticipating the downfall of "capitalism".

I am ignorant of all science, but I understand from my cursory reading that some details of the evolutionary theory remain shrouded in mystery. But how foolish it is to base your faith, and (for a Christian) the meaning of your entire life, on ignorance!

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