Ethical Implications Of Evolution And Religion

Evolution has long been touted by scientists, athiests, and Christians alike to be the only theory of how life began that is not religious in nature. All other theories require some form of belief in a Creator. 6This includes Intelligent Design. However, there are many reasons to suggest that evolution is just as much based on faith as Creationism. Not only does evolution fit all four criteria of religion, but it holds significant influence over social and ethical issues, and many evolutionists admit that their belief in evolution is faith-based, rather than scientifically derived.

The appeal of evolution to many atheists and agnostics lies in its lack of religious affiliation. However, despite being atheistic in nature, evolution answers all

6Evolution encourages anti-religious thought. 4During the French Revolution, the French sought to overthrow the monarchy, and improve humanity by eradicating religious belief, primarily Christinity and Catholicism. They believed that utopia could only be brought into being if religion was eradicated. Much of the bloodshed that occured during the French Revolution was caused by this fervor to rid France of Christianity. Many devout citizens were put to death, as they refused to waver on their beliefs. So many, in fact, that a new, more efficient method of execution had to be created, resulting in the creation of the guillotine. 2In addition to those killed by a guillotine, many died at the hands of criminals, released and paid to kill those of faith. 2In an attempt to forgo even more superfluous bloodshed, the French went so far in their attempts to rid the country of Christianity and Catholicism, they created a new religion, where a new goddess, called Reason, was worshipped. 2In order to rid the country of one religion, a different religion had to be adopted, as it is impossible to comprehensively eradicate faith. In addition to the French Revolution, evolution also justifies racism, and even genocide. Darwin's Theory of Evolution is founded on the belief that some humans are more evolved than others, and thus, are superior. The complete title of Darwin's famous book, Origin of Species, is actually The Origin of Species by

4Implying that he sees evolution as the only alternative to religion, Richard Lewontin stated, "Materialism is absolute, because we cannot allow God a foot in the door." Thomas Henry Huxley, known as "Pope Huxley" to many, despite being an atheist with firm belief in evolution, admitted that "evolution is accepted, not because it has been proven, but because special creation is incredible." 2In this statement, Huxley implies that the reason evolution is accepted by the general public is not due to evidence, but because it is an easier concept to grasp and believe, in absense of proof, than Creationism. His grandson, Julian Huxley, described evolution as being "something in the nature of religion," as well as referring to it as the "new Divinity." In his book, Break the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, Daniel C. Dennett wrote, "My faith in the expertise of physicists like Richard Feynman, for instance, permits me to endorse—and, if it comes to it, bet heavily on the truth of—a proposition that I don't understand. So far, my faith is not unlike religious