READERS WRITE
The Origin of the Species?

I recall it as though it was yesterday. I came home from my sixth grade class armed with this fantastic new knowledge my teacher had given me - we humans had evolved from animals! While sitting in his easy chair reading the paper, my father listened to an enthusiastic recitation of all that I had learned that day. But when I finished, my dad's simple reply caught me up short when he looked at me and said, "Yeah, but what about Adam and Eve?" I was silenced, my young mind now being forced to try and reconcile two opposing ideas. You see, my dad was not a Christian. He didn't even attend church. But he was an intelligent man who understood deep down that for every project there had to be a designer.

A couple of weeks ago President Bush made it clear to a group of newspaper reporters that he believes intelligent design (the view that an intelligent, unseen force is behind creation) should be taught alongside the theory of evolution. Of course, that comment earned him immediate scorn from liberal congressmen and groups like Americans United for Separation of Church and State whose director, Barry Lynn, called the President's remarks "irresponsible," suggesting they demonstrate a "low level of understanding of science." Lynn went on to say, "The President doesn't understand that one is a religious viewpoint and one is a scientific viewpoint." Oh, really?

Science is knowledge and the essence of the scientific method is experimentation and observation. Science is the study of observable and measurable phenomena. Observation can only be made in the present, hence, scientists can only speculate about the past or the future. And so we find ourselves with one of the strangest paradoxes in the history of science, i.e., that a theory so barren of scientific proof as evolution could be so universally accepted as scientific fact! Since it is impossible to make observations or experiments on the origin of the universe, the origin of the earth, the origin of life, or the origin of any basic organism (not to mention the origin of the soul) the very definition of science ought to preclude the use of the term when talking about evolution.

Proponents of evolution often sling mud at the proponents of creation or intelligent design, but never offer any scientific proof of their belief. Why? Because the missing link is still missing! Evidence for evolution really does not exist and when pressed concerning flaws in Darwin's theory, evolutionists would rather attack than show proof. The current lawsuits against state schools in Pennsylvania and Georgia by the ACLU over equal time are typical examples.

Is intelligent design "scientific?" A long and growing list of scientists - who supposedly do not exist - seem to think so. Dr. John West of the Seattle based Discovery Institute lists a parade of scientists with PhDs in biology, along with geneticists from Cornell University, and a biochemistry professor from the University of Georgia. This does not include a number of highly qualified researchers actively involved in organizations like Answers in Genesis or the Intelligent Design Network.

For decades there has been a carte blanche acceptance of the theory of evolution worldwide. One becomes tired of hearing the worn catchphrase "millions of years" due to the naturalist's inherited assumptions when viewing a favorite nature show. I believe it was Adolph Hitler who said, "If you repeat a lie long enough, eventually it will be believed." Accepting and repeating the lie of evolution (teaching kids that they really are animals) only facilitates concepts like "the master race" because, of course, some groups must evolve farther and faster than others, making genocide of the lesser life forms perfectly acceptable. You see, if you tell a child that he is an animal frequently enough, he begins to act like one. Why maintain any morals if we are only animals? Why not kill other people, they are only animals? Why not abort a human life, it's only an animal? Why not euthanize old people…? Do you see where it goes?

Barry Lynn's claim that intelligent design is religious and evolution is scientific is exactly wrong. Properly stated, both viewpoints are religious. Belief in creation and intelligent design is based upon faith in God's Word and His truth given in the bible. Belief in evolution is based upon blind faith in man's word and evidence that does not exist. I would much rather trust, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," Genesis 1:1, than the ever changing, unproven ideas of fallible men, who, according to Paul in Romans 1:22, 20, 21, "Professing to be wise, they became fools… For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

A recent Harris poll showed that 64 percent of American adults believe "human beings were created directly by God," while 22 percent believe they "evolved from earlier species." If the average person, just like my dad, knows deep inside they were created by God, why do scientific elites hold so desperately to an untenable, unproven theory? It is because it is their "religion." Because to admit to creation is to admit to a Creator. To admit to a Creator is to admit to a higher authority. To admit to a higher authority is to admit to accountability, and accountability admits to fallibility, something man's proud sinful heart does not want to do. So instead of believing the legal, historical document known as the Holy Bible - which science is unable to disprove, and only proves day by day - men would rather deny God and teach each succeeding generation we are just animals. The acceptance of such a notion only demonstrates the fallen nature of man and his actual "de-evolution." All we have to do is look around us to understand that man is not evolving to a higher life form and will not no matter how many millions of years you give him. There is only one way man will ever be perfected and that is through the Creator and His own Son Jesus Christ. It is only through Him man will ever make an upward "evolution."

Rev. Todd R. Gould, The Evangelical Free Church of Cass City

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A reader from England writes:

Hello there, I picked up a copy of The Lakeshore Guardian while visiting there and saw your article about Minic cars. I wonder if you could give me an idea of the age and value of a Triang Minic service station that I bought at auction. It is a Triang model #3, is in very good condition, and I have the box it originally came in, plus the petrol pumps and the oil barrels. Any help will be appreciated.

Regards, Martha

Reply from Rosemarie Ouellette, Liberty Rose Antiques, Port Sanilac:

Hi Martha, Your "Pre-war" garage, No. 3, is a real treasure. It was made in 1939 or 1940 in England, as you know. It was originally fitted with 2 electric lights located just outside the pumps. The bulbs were shaped like the B.P. petrol signs: It had 3 lead "petrol" pumps, oil bins and (as you can see on yours) has a base length of 16 inches. It is valued, if complete, at $400 to $500 and quite rare. I'd have to say that you are very fortunate to have found one with the original box, which will enhance the value considerable. Thanks for your correspondence.

Martha replies:

Thanks for your response, it is most helpful. I live in Cheshire, England and bought it at a local auction for 38 pounds. (38 pounds = $67.19) It is very complete, even down to the little pump nozzles. I am delighted and I thank you and The Lakeshore Guardian.

Regards, Martha