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A Few Definitions
In any debate it is important to define the terms
used, or confusion results instead of persuasion. Take a moment to review these
definitions before proceeding to the main arguments of the book.
1. Evolution
"A gradual process in which something
changes into a significantly different, especially more complex or more
sophisticated, form."4
The evolution referred to in this book is not
simply change or adaptation. Evolution must result in more complexity in order
to account for the major transitions, such as from land animals to flying birds.
In contrast, adaptation is frequently seen both artificially and in nature.
These changes do not conflict with creation. The secular community maintains
that evolution--more properly stated as macroevolution--explains life, from
beginning to end. This is the type of evolution that is referred to in this book
and which will be shown to be irrefutably false.
2. Natural Selection
"The process in nature by which, according
to Darwin’s theory of evolution, only the organisms best adapted to their
environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in
increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be
eliminated."5
Creationists do not dispute the basic concept of
natural selection, sometimes called "adaptation" or "the survival
of the fittest". In fact, natural selection helps to explain the Bible’s
use of "kinds" in the book of Genesis. Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25
states that God created birds, plants and animals after their kind, e.g.,
cattle. Therefore, God did not create every breed of cow seen on Earth today.
Through natural selection (and later artificial selection) came cattle with a
variety of colors and characteristics.
The Flood account states that animals and birds
after their kind went into The Ark (Genesis 6:20 and 7:14). Natural selection
and selective breeding help explain the many varieties within a species, such as
the breeds
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Dogs are Dogs
There are many varieties of dogs, including
coyotes, wolves and dingoes. Some have long, fuzzy, hair; others have short
hair. Some are big; some are little; some are brown; others are black;
others have patches. Some have floppy ears and some have pointy ears. The
variations are endless, but they are all dogs. No dog is a cat or a rabbit,
though some dogs are the size of a cat or rabbit. The various breeds of dogs
form subspecies, not new kinds of animals.
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of dogs. Though scientists refer to natural
selection as evolution,
it is not. Rather, it is adaptation. Changes within species come from the
recombination of genes and the loss of genetic information. For example, breeds
of dogs that only produce longhaired offspring have lost the genetic information
for short hair. This is not adding new information; it is the combination of
genes and the loss of information that makes up the breed.
Minor changes and adaptation to the environment
do not conflict with the creation model. Indeed, creationists agree with the
concept of natural selection, but reject Darwinian gradualism. Some call these
adaptations microevolution, but that would make the discussion confusing.
Natural selection (adaptation) does not produce new information and thus is not
evolution.
Copyright ©2004 Evidence Press
and its licensors.
It is illegal to copy any material in this book without prior written
permission.
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