Talk:Objections to evolution/Readersdigest
Point list
Objections
| Major objections to evolution |
|---|
| Evolution is just a theory, not a fact. This objection is probably one of the most prominent objections, but it is just based on semantic confusion and is so discredited that many creationists suggest that it no longer be used.[1][2][3] |
| Evolution is controversial or contested. This is absolutely false. The theory of evolution is widely accepted by over 99.9% of biologists and the vast majority of other scientists.[4][5] |
| Evolution is a religion. By every reasonable definition of a religion, evolution is no more a religion than plumbing is. |
| Evolution is unfalsifiable. Evolution has been forced to change as new data becomes available; the prior theories of evolution are replaced by newer theories with more explanatory power. This replacement of the theory is proof that evolution is falsifiable. |
| Evolution has never been observed. Evolution within species have been observed in the laboratory, and new species have been observed in the laboratory. Evolution has also been observed in the field in the last few decades, and evolutionary change is recorded in the rocks as fossils. |
| Past evidence for evolution has been overturned. |
| Evolution's evidence is unreliable or inconsistent. |
| Life is too unlikely to arise by chance. |
| Evolution doesn't explain enough. |
| Evolution cannot create complex structures. |
| Evolution cannot create information. |
| Evolution violates the second law of thermodynamics. This is based on an old misunderstanding and is absolutely not true, any more than a tree growing violates the second law of thermodynamics. A Nobel Prize was even given for a more careful discussion of this issue. |
| Evolution says that humans are no better than animals. |
| Evolution leads to immorality and social ills. The statistics do not support this position; in fact, the opposite appears to be true.[6][7] |
| Evolution leads to atheism. This is incorrect, as demonstrated by the religious beliefs of most scientists that accept evolution, and the acceptance of evolution by the denominations that about 90% of Americans belong to. |
Notes
- ^ Arguments we think creationists should NOT use, Answers in Genesis website.
- ^ Moving forward: Arguments we think creationists shouldn't use, Jonathan Sarfati, Creation 24(2):20–24, March 2002.
- ^ name=Luskin> Response to ACLU ID FAQ: Part 6-"Is evolution 'just' a theory?", Casey Luskin, Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness Center website article
- ^ For more details, see Level of support for evolution.
- ^ Finding the Evolution in Medicine, Cynthia Delgado, NIH Record, July 28, 2006.
- ^ Cross-National Correlations of Quantifiable Societal Health with Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies: A First Look, Gregory S. Paul, Journal of Religion & Society, Volume 7 (2005) ISSN 1522-5658
- ^ Barna Group survey results
Numbered list
3. Objections to evolution's scientific acceptance
3.1 Evolution is just a theory, not a fact. This objection is probably one of the most prominent objections, but it is just based on semantic confusion and is so discredited that many creationist suggest that it no longer be used.
3.2 Evolution is controversial or contested.
4 Objections to evolution's scientific status
4.1 Evolution is a religion. By every reasonable definition of a religion, evolution is no more a religion than plumbing is.
4.2 Evolution is unfalsifiable. Evolution has been forced to change as new data becomes available; the prior theories of evolution are replaced by newer theories with more explanatory power. This replacement of the theory is proof that evolution is falsifiable.
5 Objections to evolution's evidence
5.1 Evolution has never been observed. Evolution within species have been observed in the laboratory, and new species have been observed in the laboratory. Evolution has also been observed in the field in the last few decades, and evolutionary change is recorded in the rocks as fossils.
5.2 Past evidence for evolution has been overturned
5.3 Evolution's evidence is unreliable or inconsistent
6 Objections to evolution's plausibility
6.1 Life is too unlikely to arise by chance
6.2 Evolution doesn't explain enough
7 Objections to evolution's possibility
7.1 Evolution cannot create complex structures
7.2 Evolution cannot create information
7.3 Evolution violates the second law of thermodynamics. This is based on an old misunderstanding and is absolutely not true, any more than a tree growing violates the second law of thermodynamics. A Nobel Prize was even given for a more careful discussion of this issue.
8 Objections to evolution's morality
8.1 Evolution says that humans are no better than animals Another long time compaint is that evolution teaches people that they are little better than animals, so they behave badly.
8.2 Evolution leads to immorality and social ills. They commit crimes and do drugs and have abortions. However, the statistics do not support this position; in fact, the opposite appears to be true.
8.3 Evolution leads to atheism. This is not true, as demonstrated by the religious beliefs of most scientists that accept evolution, and the acceptance of evolution by the denominations that about 90% of Americans belong to.