Evolution syndrome is the tendency of some people to insist compulsively that human evolution from animals must somehow be true, and to spend nearly all of their time pushing that belief on others. It is reflected on the internet by people who devote over 90% of their edits and postings to pushing their belief in evolution and insisting on censoring or demonizing alternative views of the issue. They are particularly against teaching any alternative theories to children in school, sometimes claiming that this will harm children's critical thinking. A childish insistence on last wordism is a common characteristic of evolution syndrome.
Sufferers of evolution syndrome tend to be college students or graduates who wanted to excel in math or physics, but lacked the ability or work ethic to do so. They are frustrated "wannabes" with respect to academic recognition. But they find that liberals will praise their intelligence if they promote evolution. This is analogous to a struggling ball player deceitfully turning to steroids to enhance his performance, and thereby make it to the "Big Leagues."
Evolution syndrome blinds its victims to the logical fallacy of their materialism: if human senses have merely evolved, then it is to be expected that human senses have not developed to the point of being able to detect all of reality. Much of reality would still be "unseen" to an evolving human. Yet victims of evolution syndrome insist that there is nothing unseen, and no God.
The primary effect of evolution syndrome is to keep its victims away from learning the Bible. Victims of this syndrome claim to be educated, yet justify their complete ignorance about the Bible in their slavish commitment to their evolution belief system.
Characteristics of evolution syndrome include:
- Frequent use of bizarre jargon such as "quote mining," "moving the goalposts," and "fundie"
- A belief that consensus can somehow define scientific truth, even though consensus cannot define mathematical truth
- An utter lack of open-mindedness
- A reluctance to debate when large audiences will see the debate. See: Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates
- Liberal style
- A superficiality or pseudo-intellectualism
- A lack of critical thinking
- Over-reliance on name-calling
- Ruthlessly demanding "provable fact" by the other side while themselves insisting on unproven theories
- Utter intolerance for other positions in science
- A complete lack of curiosity and knowledge about anything that might contradict materialism, such as migration and homing
- Deliberate ignorance about the Bible, despite its historical value, and even though evolutionists pretend to be learned
- A tendency to be irrational atheists (see: Causes of atheism)
- A tendency to favour non-democratic political ideals such as socialism or fascism
- An over-reliance on academic authority
- A tendency to be easily amused by deceit
Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers. They are like minor league baseball players who take steroids to try to get to the major leagues: they think that harping on evolution will gain them credibility they lack based on their intellect. Evolution syndrome can be seen on wikis, Usenet groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs.
There is a high incidence of atheism among this group and indeed, many if not most atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of theistic evolutionists suggest that the link is not absolute.
Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views, and avoiding the insistence that others should share in one's view are key to avoiding evolution syndrome.
The behavior of the fans of Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers and other matters
In February 2010, the news organization The Telegraph reported that agnostic and evolutionist Richard Dawkins was "embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and 'frivolous gossip'." In addition, Richard Dawkins has a reputation for being abrasive.
|“||Scienceblogger Chad Orzel described the commentators on PZ Myers ' Scienceblogs.com site Pharyngula, and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."||”|
In addition, there is a widespread problem with atheist cyberbullying on YouTube toward Christian and creationist YouTube channels. CreationWiki has developed a web page entitled Creationist YouTube video designed to show creationists how to thwart atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies.
Question evolution! campaign
See also: Question evolution! campaign
Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the theory of evolution which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists. In 2011, a campaign called the Question evolution! campaign was launched by the biblical creation organization Creation Ministries International which is a worldwide "grass-roots movement to challenge the anti-Christian dogma of evolution". The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on "15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer." The 15 questions posed to evolutionists (and undecided individuals) can be found HERE The campaign will be primarily conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.
- Atheism and obsession with God
- Disturbed character
- Evolutionist and atheist helpline - satire
- Evolution of the gaps
- Essay: Conservapedia obsessive compulsive disorder - satire
- Atheists say the darnedest things! - satire
- Richard Dawkins
- Creation denial
- Question evolution! campaign by Creation Ministries International