Evolution: Mask of Science Second Edition

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Evolution: Mask of Science Second Edition Evolution: Mask of Science Second Edition John B. Andelin, MD Dakota Prints Williston, North Dakota Acknowledgements I would like to express deep appreciation to my wife, Cindy, for her never-ending support and encouragement over the past several years during the writing of this book. Her suggestions and encouragement have been invaluable. It would have been impossible for me to compose this work were it not for her patience, love and support. I would also like to acknowledge the profound influence of my parents, Aubrey P. Andelin (1918-1999) and Helen B. Andelin (1920-2009). Their teachings and example have provided a foundation for which I will be forever grateful. Copyright © 2021 By John B. Andelin www.maskofscience.com 2 Table of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………..………… 4 1. The General Theory of Evolution ………………………………………………….….….. 6 2. History of the Theory of Evolution and its Effect on the World ….…….….. 23 3. Principles of Science ………………………………………………………….…………….….. 39 4. Primary Evidences for Evolution …………………………………………….……….…… 62 5. Secondary Evidences for Evolution ………………………………………………….….. 89 6. Probability: A Pillar of Science ……………………..……………………………………... 113 7. Abiogenesis ……………………………………………………………………………………….… 135 8. False Assumptions of Evolutionary Theory ……………………………………….….. 148 9. Radiometric Dating of the Earth’s Strata …………………………………………….… 163 10. Obstacles to Evolution ………………………………………………………………………… 175 11. The Paradigm of Evolution ………………………………………………………………….. 208 12. The Evolution of Man ………………………………………………………………………….. 243 13. The Science of Beauty …………………………………………………………………………. 256 14. The Central Darwinian Mechanism ……………………………………………………… 269 15. Can Evolution be Falsified? …………………………………………………………………… 281 16. The Religion of Evolution …………………………………..………………………………… 287 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 299 References …………………………………………………..…………………………………….. 304 Index …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 324 3 Introduction The theory of evolution has become a widely accepted explanation for the origin and diversification of life. Although traditional tools of science are utilized in the attempt to validate its premises, the entire framework of evolution is founded on metaphysical presuppositions. Despite the fact that it is commonly portrayed to be the foundation of biological science, the theory of evolution is actually irrelevant as a tool in the advancement of biology as it applies to our world. The evolution hypothesis requires the undirected appearance of billions of purposeful highly complex genetic code sequences to have occurred over time. Although this process is believed to have been the basis for the origin and diversification of all life, not a single example of such evolution has been observed. Sophisticated biologic systems including hundreds of millions of enzymatic reactions, oxygen transport systems, cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, complex pathways of nerve transmission and integration, hormonal feedback systems, blood coagulation cascades, instinctive behaviors, and a host of other complexities are all believed to have evolved into existence by random mistakes in reproduction. A fundamental doctrine of Darwinism is that all life is the result of natural processes and that no intelligent design exists. This doctrine is assumed to be self-evident, and all observations are interpreted around that assumption. The theory of evolution, as it is propagated today, is a religious philosophy that wears the mask of science. The fundamental purpose of promoting evolution is the attempt to disprove intelligent creation and promote a worldview. In attempting to do so, there has been a retreat from legitimate methods of scientific investigation in attempting to validate pre-drawn conclusions. In the evolution controversy, two fundamental questions can be asked: 1. Does science demonstrate that evolution did occur? 2. Does science demonstrate that evolution could occur? The contention that evolution has occurred is justified primarily by metaphysical arguments. The mechanistic explanation as to how evolution actually could occur is not squarely addressed. In writing this book, it is not my purpose to scientifically prove any aspect of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis. Scientific observation does, however, lead to the inference that an intelligent cause, not further defined, exists to account for the complexity of life. Whatever one's belief system might be as to the origin and diversification of life, science cannot be invoked to explain proposed evolutionary mechanisms. Anyone who challenges the evolution hypothesis will inevitably be told that there is “overwhelming evidence” to support evolution, that it is a biologic “fact”, and that controversy exists only because of pre-held religious beliefs. It can be difficult to refute arguments presented outside of one’s scope of knowledge. Nevertheless, it is possible for the average person to understand with certainty the utter falsity of evolution without deferring to the expertise of someone else. For many who have limited understanding of science, their religious beliefs are defended by the contention that evolution is "just a theory." Evolution is not a legitimate scientific theory. 4 Evolution contradicts science. Ultimately, a belief in evolution requires one to reject scientific facts in favor of philosophical beliefs. In conducting research for this book, I noticed a common thread in books and articles written in defense of evolution. Generally, those who promote evolution present only what they deem compelling evidence, and address only the weakest of challenges. Invariably, serious logical inconsistencies to evolution are not considered. In this book, I’ve chosen a different approach. I have presented what I feel are the most compelling evidences in favor of evolution, and I’ve squarely addressed them. In this writing, I document that the primary evidence employed in defending evolution is not scientific evidence, but constitutes philosophical and religious persuasions which are presented in such a way as to masquerade as science. This is evident by studying the specific claims that are set forth to defend evolution and recognizing the philosophical presuppositions underlying those claims. Millions of educated people believe in evolution. That belief is founded primarily on the trust that people have for the integrity of the scientific community. Very few can claim that his or her belief in evolution is founded solely on personal research of the natural world. This includes evolutionary biologists. A belief in evolution is overwhelmingly based on trust in consensus opinions. It is my hope that the reader will come to a new realization. There is no need to rely on someone with a degree in a scientific field to instruct you of the history of life on earth. My challenge to you is to carefully study the facts and judge for yourself. 5 Chapter 1 The General Theory of Evolution: Overview The theory of evolution proposes that all living things are descended from a common ancestor which is ultimately traced to single cell life. By extension, most evolutionists believe that single cell life itself evolved from non-living matter. It is proposed that after the earth was formed by random events, it was covered with a primordial ocean rich in the necessary chemical building blocks of life. It is believed that over a period of approximately one billion years, self-replicating single cell organisms gradually came into existence from non-living matter. Over subsequent hundreds of millions of years, single cell life gradually produced more complex multi-cellular life. About 530 million years ago, the oceans are believed to have contained abundant complex life forms with diverse body plans, including crustaceans, echinoderms, arthropods and various plant species. The abrupt appearance of numerous complex life forms in the fossil record is frequently referred to as the Cambrian explosion. It is assumed that from these early species, all life as we know it today gradually descended. Evolutionary theorists contend that these changes occurred as a result of very small steps involving imperceptible changes, which over eons of time resulted in significant changes in species, a process sometimes referred to as gradualism. Gradualism is a process of gradual progressive change of plant and animal species, presumably due to accumulations of increased genetic information. Gradualism is believed to have been achieved through natural selection, a concept advanced by Charles Darwin. It is observed that genetic variations in offspring are random, but that competition for food and survival enable only the "survival of the fittest". Thus, through the mechanism of natural selection, directional, purposeful changes were allegedly accomplished from random variations of offspring. Amphibians are believed to have gradually descended from fish. They gradually developed lungs for breathing, gradually acquired the ability to walk on land, and gradually changed their reproductive systems into what exist today. The mechanism for evolution proposed by Charles Darwin was very simple. All theories of evolution today are based on Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, although variations of that theory are proposed. An important tenet of evolutionary theory is that everything that occurred to produce species is explicable through only materialistic means. Natural selection alone is credited in the creation and diversification of all life. The
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