Talk about the change in American history as popularity of the Theory of Evolution increased and as the theory changed

It is a popular belief that Charles Darwin was the first person to suggest the Theory of Evolution, however it was actually first started by the Greeks and then later revised by Darwin. It was the Greek philosopher, Anaxiamander (611-547 B.C.), who first coined the idea that everything in the universe was connected. It was during his lifetime though that science was observational and not at all experimental so he could hardly prove anything.

The leading biologist of the 18th century was Karl von Linn, the Swedish botanist. He wrote 180 books that are filled with precise descriptions of nature, however, he did little analysis or interpretation as he believed that he was just revealing the unchanging order of life created by God. Then, in the late 18th century French zoologist Comte de Buffon, actually said that things do change through time. He speculated that this was as a result of the change in environment or even by chance. In 1774 he conjectured that earth had to be at least 75,000 years old but publicly rejected the idea that species could evolve into other species.

Then, in early 19th century Chevalier of Lamarck confidently stated his ideas about the processes that lead to biological change. However his theories were concluded to be incorrect. Finally, Charles Lyell, an English scientist provided “conclusive evidence” for the theory of ‘uniformitarianism’. This theory stated that the best way to understand the past is to observe the present. This revolutionary idea was key in leading Charles Darwin to his understanding of biological evolution in the 1930’s.

In 1859 the Origin of Species was published. The author, Charles Darwin- a British scientist- is perhaps the most famous evolutionist in history; he is known as the ‘father of evolution’. He developed his theory while on a voyage observing birds. He noted that he could see similarities in each species and saw ties to how they could have all been related at one point in history- so everything was homogeneously related; and although he never worked directly along side of Darwin, Alfred Wallace came to the same conclusion at the same time and together their theory changed the world forever.

It must be noted that there are two different kinds of evolution: microevolution and macroevolution. The difference is extremely significant. Microevolution states that an organism can slightly change form but that it will remain the same species. No one can rebut this; clams over a constant period of time might form smaller or larger ridges in its shell, but it is still a clam. Macroevolution, however, states that over a given period of time a species can form a completely new taxonomic group, or a completely different species (we have never in history seen this happen and there is absolutely no proof that it is even the slightest bit possible)- the theory of evolution is based in macroevolution.

It was 1960 when the theory of evolution popularized in the United States and supporters of this theory skyrocketed. This theory had been introduced to biology textbooks, secondary schools, and universities in 1895 but became a public issue and by 1925 the teaching of evolution greatly declined. From 1922 to 1929 forty-six pieces of legislation were aimed at not teaching evolution- three of those passed but the others were considered unconstitutional. It was probably the public school however that the most diverse suggestions were made. Some proposed that the theory of evolution was the only theory that should be taught in the classroom while still others said that was unconstitutional and that only Creationism should be taught in the classroom. Nevertheless, in 1962 that prayer in public schools was outlawed. It was also from 1960-1970 that illegal abortions began to occur nationwide- over half of which were by women under the age of 25; it was from 1960-1970 that women’s suicide rates jumped higher than any other time in history; it was also from 1960-1970 that crime rates in many states began to triple; it was in 1967 that the first state legalized abortion, and by 1973 the devastating majority of states had legalized abortion altogether. Many say that these somewhat disturbing statistics and facts are due to the overwhelming percentage of people that began to believe in evolution and the happening of life by chance.

“There is no evidence either in the present or in the world of the past, that man has arisen from some “lower” creature. He stands alone and as a separate and distinct created type, or basic morphological design, endowed with qualities that set him far above all living creatures,” Duane T. Gish, Institute for Creation Research (1985). The theory of evolution has changed our world for good, we are no longer a society where the vast majority of people believe that they have come from Higher Power, but a people who believe they happened by chance and are here by some mistake. This is not because of the evidence of Evidence of macroevolution, as there is none, but because of mans tendency to think that he is the ultimate authority over his own life. However, the bible makes it very clear that there are signs of a Higher Power all around us, and that all of us will be held accountable for that because none of us is with an excuse. God’s holy Word says it best when it states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1:1)

Questions:

1. Who was the author of Origin of Species?
a) Anaxiamander
b) Charles Darwin
c) Alfred Wallace

2. What year was the first legalized abortion?
a) 1967
b) 1973
c) 1960

3. Which type of evolution has never been proven?
a) microevolution
b) macroevolution
c) both, neither have been proven

4. How many pieces of legislation were aimed at not teaching evolution in the school from 1922-1929?
a) 19
b) 172
c) 46

Bibliography:

Creation vs. Evolution Hokaj, Tracy- student.

Disturbing Facts

Prayer in the public school Mike Carrier

http://www.drdino.com/

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ev_school.htm

Pre-Darwin Theories

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