Evolution Unites those of Faith and Atheists

In this round, I will examine both the current conflict between faith-based groups and the scientific consensus regarding evolution, and the source of this conflict: fundamental differences between the basis of evolutionary theory and faith in general.1) The Current Conflict, and What It ProvesThere is a current conflict between religious organizations and the scientific community regarding evolutionary theory, as many religious organizations refuse to accept scientific consensus. Groups such as The Creation Research Society and Answers in Genesis serve to promote young-earth creationism, among other ideologies, that directly contradict the mountains of evidence which support evolution by natural selection. [1][2]These creationist platforms often speak out publicly against prominent scientists who affirm Darwinist theory. The recent debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye serves as a potent example of this trend. The Creation Museum, a project spearheaded by Ham himself (who also happens to represent Answers in Genesis as well), presents a historical narrative which places dinosaurs and humans as existing simultaneously, one which I'm sure my opponent would agree is utterly false. The effort by these groups represents a post-truth mindset that completely ignores scientific fact and instead upholds a scarily dogmatic worldview. The visitors to the Creation Museum are only victims of this effort, as they are introduced to a completely erroneous version of history which has been created for the sole purpose of complying with ancient Judeo-Christian ideology. Regardless of how false this narrative is, its very existence represents an effort to further an alternative view to evolution by natural selection, one which undermines the scientific community's effort to present the actual evidence. Thus, evolution has left in its wake a mob of religious fundamentalists who continually deny it and incite unwarranted conflict.2) Science and Religion: The Perpetual ConflictScience and religion often seem locked in an omnipresent ideological conflict, one which is inevitable considering the fundamental differences of the two worldviews. Science is best defined as a rational process. It can be generalized as the means by which we are able to synthesize isolated facts and observations into a coherent, whole understanding of the world around us. A large part of science, thus, is the observations themselves, the empirical basis for this developed understanding of the natural world. [3]Note that science deals with the natural world, as explained above. Scientists aim to draw conclusions about the natural laws which govern our universe, our reality. The same cannot be said about religion. The most basic definition of a religion is a set of values, a system of faith and worship. [4]Faith is the most important word in the aforementioned definition, as this is the crux of the abyss that lies between science and religion. Faith is complete devotion which knows no bounds. Even from a Christian perspective, faith is absolute in Jesus Christ, without question. Faith in some deity or another, simply put, is the very foundation of religion as an institution which extends into the present. The origin of the conflict between science and religion is the gap in rationality between the logical scientific process, rooted in observation and testable hypotheses, and faith, a nonevidential mindset which necessitates devotion to someone or something not seen. It is this gap which makes science and religion impossible to reconcile ideologically. This is not to say that one cannot appreciate science as a religious person. Considering ideology, however, this gap cannot be closed. The fundamental differences remain. -----------------Evolution is a scientific theory, supported by mountains of evidence, and rooted in logic and observation. The scientific community has achieved virtual consensus over evolution's validity, however, religious organizations still contend that evolution is flawed. Evolution by natural selection simply does not comply with their worldview. Yes, there are many religious scientists who believe evolution is true. But ideologically, Darwinist theory, and science in general, cannot be considered compatible with religion. Especially considering the nature of fundamentalist religious organizations today, and their efforts to promote an antiscientific view which contradicts evolution, evolution certainly cannot be considered a unifying force at present. I await my opponent's response in the next round. Next, I shall respond to Pro's arguments in their entirety. [1] . https://www.creationresearch.org...[2] . https://answersingenesis.org...[3] . http://undsci.berkeley.edu...[4] . https://www.merriam-webster.com...