Principle of Natural Selection
Natural process is an inevitable but very gradual process wherein biological traits such as the physical characteristics of a certain population of species become more or less dominant. This is usually a result of differential reproduction of the breeders. In the process of natural selection, there are usually only two things that could happen.
Either a certain specie will become more dominant than the others, or it will continue to be less dominant against the other until such time that it reaches extinction. Darwin always argued that natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution. Darwin is actually right and many evolutionary experts and scientists believe it too.
Darwin suggests that all animal populations could vary genetically. These variations could be the reason why different species encounter different reproductive challenges. Some may be successful and some may not. These variations are also most likely inherited. In the end, the variations that contributed to the reproductive success will more likely be inherited to the next generation (Berkley, 2010).
The theory of natural selection suggests that there will always be a variation within a single population and that variation will be the spark of natural selection and later on, evolution. When it comes to the general effects of changes acquired via the process of natural selection, most experts agree that it has nothing to do with survival although at some point, the biological changes may be able to help certain species survive. A rabbit that could run faster than normal rabbit specie is a good example. With faster and more hind legs, the differentiated rabbit will most likely be able to escape predator attacks more frequently. Finally, it is crucial to know that natural selection, genetics, and evolution has strong links with each other because each one could affect the other although the changes could take place very gradually.
Evolution and Christian Belief
Evolutionary Scientists who attack and ridicule the Christian Belief are actually making a mistake. In reality, there is really no conflict between what Darwin had said about the process of natural selection and Christian belief. The theory did not mean to violate any belief that the people had or currently has. It is the people who have wrong interpretations to what Darwin is trying to say with his theory that’s wrong. There are scholars who believe that evolution forces such as Darwin’s natural selection draws immoral conclusions but that is because they are making everything about natural selection exaggerated up to the point of being immoral. Clearly, Darwin did not intend to contradict what the Christian belief. Evolution is a normal and inevitable process and it also happens gradually and what part about that violates Christian beliefs?
Intellectual Consequences of Darwinism
Darwinism is a set of concepts and principles that has something to do with evolution. Darwinism is rather a complex term and it has changed a lot over time. However, one cannot change the fact that it has affected a lot of minds, both positively and negatively. One intellectual consequence of Darwinism is immorality. If we are going to bring evolutionary statements and principles into an extreme level, we could easily conclude that for humans to be fit and survive, they should be able to kill somebody or even wipe entire species out. Violence usually comes along with this consequence and we could say that it’s a chain reaction. Extremism is most likely paired with violence. Darwinism could also trigger a love for “modification” because according to Darwin (1859), adaptation is necessary for survival. Therefore, if this world would be filled with people who strongly believe in Darwinism, we could expect more disturbances and even chaos. Lastly, believers of evolution could also damage one’s faith especially if it is not that strong yet and this is one of the biggest consequences of Darwinism although this particular topic between Darwinism and religion still remains an unsolved issue.
References
Darwin, C. The Origin of Species by means of natural selection or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life. London: J. Murray.
Rick, H. Evolution and Natural Selection. University of Michigan Global exchange, 2010. Print.
Roughgardern, J. Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an evolutionary biologist. Island Press, 2006.
Berkley. Understanding evolution and Natural Selection. Evolution Library, 2010.
