Why is Charles Darwin's theory disputed?

Answer 1

Opinion

Darwinism is "disputed" for religious reasons. Most religious people think that because it contradicts the story of creation in The Bible then natural selection and the evolution of species is unacceptable. Elaborate pseudo-scientific disputations have been developed simply because it contradicts the bible.

The Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection, first suggested by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace is not disputed among scientists, who have masses of evidence and expertise. It is disputed among laypeople who do not know enough to really have a standpoint. It is disputed by religious people (maybe fundamentalist) who are unable to reconcile the discoveries of biology and genetics and palaeontology with literal readings of religious texts and such text's creation stories.

The religious, whether creationist or Intelligent Design proponent or straightforward religious have tried to give a picture of controversy between creationism and evolution. This may be due to 'moral outrage' as Richard Dawkins puts it, rather than real factual objection. If religious bible-living people think their bible is the work of all morality, then the apparently godless world of evolution and abiogenesis may become (by spoken word among fellows) drummed up as 'heretical'. In such a case, moral objection would occur. Or if there is a desperate desire or belief that a god did indeed create everything, the idea of 'self-producing' life may seem difficult to swallow. Religious/Creationist or moral objection may be the ancient reason for the attacks on today's science of evolution.

But today, with the internet and such hypercommunication as that, there is much confusion, whether stemming from religious objection or the addition of 'Creation Science' and 'Intelligent Design theory' 'science' into the public's eyes. Laymen are too ready to jump on this bandwagon of pseudoscience, giving the idea of controversy between creation and evolution. Creationism is an ancient story, now classified a creation myth. Intelligent Design and Creation Science are political nonsense. All this generates confusion and from that stems dispute and debate. Some of the confusion is right here on this very page. By this I mean the tired recitals of objectors to evolution. (The big bang may have to do with the 'evolution'/development of the Universe but has nothing to do with the Evolution of life. Yes, there are negative mutations. There are also neutral mutations and positive mutations. There is no objection to Evolution among scientists. There are most definitely transitional fossils. Evolution most certainly does not violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics.)

What can be done to remove all this confusion and and thus confused dispute? The answer is that everyone should learn about Earth and its multitudinous and extraordinary life. 'Look at the evidence'. 'Just go and look' are Richard Dawkins' insistings. 'Isn't this lovely?' says David Attenborough, regarding the beauty and complexity of life. Well, if it is lovely, let us learn about it and learning will vanquish all this confusion.

Anyone interested and willing to gain a better understanding of this opinion should take the time to read Kitzmiller V. Dover at the related link.

Answer 2

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is disputed for various reasons, including religious beliefs that conflict with the idea of evolution, lack of understanding or acceptance of scientific evidence, and fear that accepting evolution undermines traditional beliefs about the origin of life. Additionally, some people may find it difficult to reconcile the concept of random genetic mutations driving evolutionary change with their worldview.