Science or Religion: Whose Mind is Made Up?

So they’re rethinking your family tree. Actually, the latest research suggests it’s more like “a wayward bush.” The New York Times reports: Fossils Challenge Old Evolution Theory.

The discovery by Meave Leakey, a member of a famous family of paleontologists, shows that two species of early human ancestors lived at the same time in Kenya. That pokes holes in the chief theory of man’s early evolution — that one of those species evolved from the other.

And it further discredits that iconic illustration of human evolution that begins with a knuckle-dragging ape and ends with a briefcase-carrying man.

The old theory is that the first and oldest species in our family tree, Homo habilis, evolved into Homo erectus, which then became human, Homo sapiens. But Leakey’s find suggests those two earlier species lived side-by-side about 1.5 million years ago. . .

It’s the equivalent of finding that your grandmother and great-grandmother were sisters rather than mother-daughter, said study co-author Fred Spoor, a professor of evolutionary anatomy at the University College in London.

Ho-hum. Another tweak in the evolutionary model. What’s new? But even more interesting than learning my “grandmother and great-grandmother were sisters,” was this:

Susan Anton, a New York University anthropologist and co-author of the Leakey work, said she expects anti-evolution proponents to seize on the new research, but said it would be a mistake to try to use the new work to show flaws in evolution theory.

”This is not questioning the idea at all of evolution; it is refining some of the specific points,” Anton said. ”This is a great example of what science does and religion doesn’t do. It’s a continous self-testing process.”

Well I’ll be darned — the professor thinks I’m a moron! At least, an ignorant ape. Science asks questions and refines itself, Ms. Anton states, “and religion doesn’t.”  She’s confessing what I’m assuming most evolutionists believe:

• Science is honest, objective, open-minded
• Religion is not

But whose mind is made up? I know as many evolutionists who don’t critically examine their beliefs, as Christians. It’s foolish to assume that either group has cornered the market on honesty and objectivity.

Ms. Anton hails science because it continually asks questions. Nevertheless, she states, “This is not questioning the idea at all of evolution.” Did you get that? Science questions things, it just doesn’t question the idea of evolution.

While evolutionary theory may be constantly changing, it’s basic assumptions never do. Namely, that something came from nothing, that organic life arose unguided from inanimate matter, that there is no God, and that humans are a cosmic accident. Perhaps “science” is willing to rearrange the branches of our family tree. However, its roots are assumed untouchable.

I confess: I’m “religious.” But does this make me a monkey?