Defeating Darwinism By Opening Minds [Paperback]

For example, he attacks the Theory as one of random chance. And yet, he completely ignores that one of the primary mechanisms of evolution is Natural Selection which is decidedly Non-Random. Natural Selection (better termed Differential Reproductive Success) isn't some roll of the dice, but is rather an observable, mathematical and measurable quantity that maximizes fitness to the environment of the organism.

So too, he mistakenly (or perhaps, deliberately) misrepresents the Second Law of Thermodynamics to make it appear that Evolution stands in opposition to it. And yet, fifteen minutes of research beyond Johnson's misrepresentation at your local library will reveal that there is no problem. The Earth is not a closed system - (ever hear of the Sun?) - therefore energy is constantly being provided to the planet and such massive expenditures of energy is more than sufficient to account for the increases in order we observe.

Ultimately, books like this are scary because they give the uninformed reader a gross and dishonest picture of the Theory of Evolution. If you find yourself pursuaded by Johnson, please take the time to read why genuine scientists support the Theory of Evolution. It certainly isn't because they are part of some grand naturalistic conspiracy (as Johnson suggests), but rather because the vast overwhelming preponderance of the evidence supports it. Visit the NCSE (National Center of Science Education) and learn the facts.

Please don't let shams like Mr. Johnson fool you.

I also think it's pathetic to see people proudly proclaiming that they didn't finish the book or didn't look at the research notes and then go on to say that the book is wrong, useless, irrelevant, misguided, etc.

It's rather entertaining to see people who dislike this book because it abandons and questions naturalistic philosophy, but then these same people claim that it's not the naturalist who is narrow-minded, but the person who questions it. Great stuff.

And then there's one reviewer who says that by leaving naturalistic philosophy, religion replaces the beloved naturalistic way of thinking and superstition and witchcraft ensue. That's just what Johnson is talking about: people take an argument, and unfairly frame it so that science is "rational" and religion is "superstition" and "witchcraft." With those sorts of definitions, the evolutionist wins by default, becuase they rationalize religion away by claiming it to be a bunch of old, unreliable fables and myths mixed with wishful thinking. And you say it is the religious person that is narrow-minded?

And to the reviewer who said that Darwinism has stood the test of time: Darwinism has been around for 150 years. Christianity has stood the test of time, much longer than that. (See "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.) Who's kidding who?

Now, on to the actual book itself. One problem I had with the book was that it was too short. I realize some high schoolers aren't willing to read a 400-page book about refuting evolution, but I wish it had been a bit more substantial. My other problem was the lack of evidence to back up a lot of claims. The evidence certainly exists. I just wish Mr. Johnson had provided an appendix or recommended books section.

For those looking for a powerful argument against evolution, read Michael Behe's book "Darwin's Black Box."