The Times of London publishes today one of the more ludicrous pieces ever claimed by a "conventional Christian." It hails 2009 as the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, and the 150th anniversary of his work Origin of the Species.

Michael Reiss is the author and his biography according to the column's slug is Professor of Science Education and Assistant Director at the Institute of Education, University of London, and a priest in the Church of England.

Odd...

His emphasis in the piece is to attempt to claim that Darwin's unproven theory somehow deepens Christian faith (his brand of it anyway...)

His main argument of support for marrying the two is focus on the "decentering" of humanity (as distinct and of more value than animals) and of the "upcentering" of animals (bringing them closer on par with humanity in terms of moral value).

His primary quote that he pulls for support of this "Darwin deepening faith" sham is from Richard Dawkins--an avowed Atheist.

And his conclusion, as is often the case with elitist academics, is to reject the scriptural text.

It might also be pointed out that with the previously mentioned four points of worldview one can claim Christianity AND simultaneously claim evolution, abortion rights (because human life is not distinct from animals), the rejection of God, AND assert that the Bible is wholly unnecessary for guidance in life's questions.

The problem was and is today that Darwin was a fraud, his theory is yet unproven, and with the exception of "evolutionary process" being able to change existing species, there has never since Darwin's theory was openly stated been the creation of a species that did not previously exist. And so says this Berkley professor of science...

This should be reason enough for American schools to open up the science debate in the classrooms of today to allow analytical criticism of Darwin's theory.

But by continuing to teach Darwin as gospel, the academic community can continue to also open up doubts as to the validity of scripture, and of scripture's God. "Christians" that do so can argue away sin, the foundation of reconciliation - Jesus Christ, and ultimately the need for repentance, forgiveness and salvation.

And they do so knowingly...