Garrett Haley
These days it’s easy to surround ourselves with people who agree with us. We like to create comfortable echo chambers for ourselves so that our beliefs are constantly reaffirmed and reinforced.
But it’s good to occasionally consider other viewpoints. Instead of demonizing people who disagree with us, we should hear them out and try to understand where they’re coming from.
With that in mind, I recently checked out a couple pro-evolution books from my local library—Why Evolution Is True by Jerry Coyne and Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye. Both books criticize young-earth creationists and argue that evolution gives us a logical explanation for the diversity of life we see today.
Although I finished reading Nye’s book earlier this week, I am still going through Coyne’s book and processing his main arguments. Here are three things I’ve realized from reading these pro-evolution books:
- Evolutionists believe Charles Darwin was one of history’s most important figures. Even though he did not invent the concept of evolution (did you know that his grandfather actually wrote about evolutionary ideas before Darwin was born?), Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species helped the theory of evolution gain traction and public support.
- Evolutionists believe young earth creationism is ridiculous. Not only do they disagree with the Bible’s creation account, but they think it is disturbingly unscientific, based on myth and not fact. They believe it is comparable to scientific illiteracy.
- Evolutionists believe that evolution is “humbling.” Whereas creationists warn that evolution strips life of meaning and long-term significance, evolutionists like Bill Nye describe it is “humbling.” Humbling to realize that we are the result of natural selection, humbling to believe that no one created or designed us.
Reading these books by Nye and Coyne is eye-opening and thought-provoking, for sure. If you, like me, grew up surrounded by well-written, persuasive creationist materials, I encourage you to read and consider pro-evolution arguments every once in a while.
Don’t be afraid to ponder alternative viewpoints and competing worldviews. After all, truth can withstand scrutiny.
