Don't Underestimate the Fool

In the years I've spent watching the walking, babbling idiocy that is young earth creationism, I have learned never to underestimate what they will do, never to be surprised at what they claim, and certainly never to think that most of those who believe this way will be open to reason. No claim is too absurd, no denial of reality too patently ridiculous for the proponents of a literal Genesis. Belief is a powerful thing, especially a belief that refuses to see objective evidence, and such are the beliefs of young earth creationism. Whether it is Ken Ham or Eric Hovind, they are united in their conviction that true Christianity requires that the Bible be taken literally, especially the creation myth of Genesis. Further, they believe that to accept, as many Christians do, that evolution is reality is to join the ranks of the compromisers, and to risk eternal damnation.

 

While there is no debate among scientists as to the fact of evolution, this has no meaning to the creationists. While Darwin's theory was at first opposed within the scientific community, acceptance of the theory by scientists today is total, and the evidence in support of it is beyond overwhelming. The evidence is powerful, but the belief of a creationist and their stubborn denial of reality is more powerful still. So to see no less a person than Richard Leakey say that critics of evolution will soon be silenced is somewhat dismaying. I've immense respect for Leakey, for both he and his parents have made discoveries crucial to advancing our understanding of the human past, but in this instance I must conclude that this notion is nothing more than wishful thinking. After all, at this point there is surely evidence enough to convince anyone with even a modicum of an open mind that evolution is historical fact, and while not every detail is clear (and scientists may quibble about certain aspects of the idea), there can be no doubt that evolution is reality, not a wild conjecture. If there remain those unconvinced that evolution is true, it is not for lack of evidence. While I wish that just one more discovery would be enough, the many discoveries that have already been made, and the stance of creationists, do not make me especially hopeful in that regard.

 

Leakey made the statement that, were all the hominid fossils lined up, "even a fool" could establish their relatedness. Never underestimate a fool, Dr. Leakey, for in discussing what you had to say the great fools at Answers in Genesis proclaimed yet again that there are no transitional fossils because creatures don't evolve into different "kinds," whatever that means. Whatever else they are, the people at Answers in Genesis are not going to be moved by the evidence; this is a matter of faith to them, and no amount of evidence will overturn their cherished convictions, especially as they seem to think that evolution is Satan in disguise trying to lure them into hell. Give a creationist that "just one transitional fossil" they always demand, and they'll simply deny it. That's what they've done thus far.

 

So why even bother then? If the diehard creationists will never be swayed, why try, and why spend time writing something like this? Simply put, of all the people who believe that the world is only six thousand years old, not all are of the same caliber as the Answers in Genesis charlatans. For many, a lack of understanding as to what evolution really is stands between them and reality. Anyone who has even a modicum of an open mind may yet be saved from ignorance. I should know: I used to be one of them.

 

To hope that young earth creationism will be eradicated is unfounded wishful thinking. At best, we may hope for and work towards their increased marginalization, so that the court cases and school board battles become a thing of the past. To imagine that this strand of denial will go extinct when more evidence is found is not at all realistic. In this battle, though, achieving the complete irrelevance of the creationists is a goal we can achieve, and, as Leakey believes, it is a goal that we must achieve if we are to face the perils that humanity must confront to survive.