The New Road

Evolution

I've been reading a lot lately on evolution, and the debate about evolution and creationism. Of course, being an atheist, I'm don't give creationism a lot of though. It's just a myth, one of thousands of creation myths. It's certainly not a scientific theory, as there is no way to falsify it. Christians who revel in the fact that all they have is their belief and no facts, can't then turn around and say that creationism is a theory based on facts. You can' have it both ways.

But here is what I found interesting and empowering in myself. Creationists think that evolution is cruel because it's so clear cut, and there is no personal God in the mix who can help people in need out. I look at it exactly the opposite way. I marvel at the variety of creatures in this world and how amazing their adaptations have been. And I admire evolution because it's always straining to be better. The guiding principle of evolution is that natural selection brings out the best traits and dumps the mistakes. It's a process of constantly striving to improve.

While creationism, on the other hands, is a quitter's game. If you think that creature A is related to C, but you don't have the fossil evidence, that's ok, just quit. Call it a miracle and be done with it. That's what creationists call 'God in the gaps'. Where there is a gap in the evolutionary tree, then there must have been an act of God. Of course, as research does, it expands and we eventually find the missing links, and thus once again destroy the God of that gap.

I hate that whole philosophy of "letting go to God". It's taking what could be a noble life full of purpose and well lived, and giving every decision over to, well, nothing.

I could go on to talk about the multivariate reasons why there is no God. But I won't. If you believe, then I probably can't change your mind. You have found some positivity in it, and it probably works for you, which is fine. Suffice to say, don't worry about me. I'm happy and empowered in my atheism. I'm not concerned about returning my atoms to the cosmos when I die. In fact, I've died a million cellular deaths by now. I'm not, atomically speaking, the person I was just days ago. I embrace change. Change is the one constant. And I abide by philosophies which embrace change, and shun those which want preach constancy.