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Huxley’s suggestion that human be- nists, make crystal clear the fundamental
ings’ sacred aim was to accelerate their beliefs of the Religion of Evolution. An
own evolution had a profound effect on imaginary process of species evolution
the American philosopher John Dewey. is first dreamed up, and it is then assu-
He developed this line and founded the med that this process is the creator of
movement known as Religious Huma- everything. The further, it is thought that
nism in 1933, publishing the famous Hu- this process can represent salvation for
manist Manifesto. The main idea he humanity, and it is believed that huma-
emphasized was that the time had come nity’s sacred destiny is to serve that pro-
for the traditional Theistic (God-orien- cess. In short, evolution is both a Crea-
ted) religions to be done away with and tor, and a savior, and a sacred purpose.
replaced by a new system based on sci- To short, it is worshipped as a deity.
entific progress and social cooperation.
The deaths of 50 million people in
Evolutionary paganism
World War II as a result of “scientific
progress” rocked the optimism exhibited Some people believe in Divine reli-
in the Humanist Manifesto. In the wake gions revealed to them by God. Others,
of similar blows, Dewey’s followers we- are devoted to religions they have made
re forced to partially revise their views, up for themselves or that have been pro-
and they published the second Humanist duced by the society they live in. Some
Manifesto in 1973. This one admitted worship totems, others the Sun, while ot-
that science may sometimes harm man- hers beseech beings from outer space.
kind, but preserved the basic idea: Man These second groups ascribe partners
should now direct his own evolution and to God and are commonly defined as pa-
could do so through science. As the Ma- gans in Western literature.
nifesto said: Evolutionists also adopt the theory of
Using technology wisely, we can control evolution, and indeed use science as a
our environment, conquer poverty, mar- general religion. These people say they
kedly reduce disease, extend our life- place their faith in scientific fact proven
span, significantly modify our behavior, by means of concrete evidence. They al-
alter the course of human evolution and
so regard themselves as representatives
cultural development, unlock vast new
of a concrete reality, superior to religion.
powers, and provide humankind with un-
These deceptive claims of evolutionist
paralleled opportunity for achieving an
abundant and meaningful life. 157 pagans place them in an imaginary posi-
tion above other religious believers. For
In fact these ideas, adopted conscio-
them, accordingly, other religions are
usly or subconsciously by all Darwi-
subjective beliefs, whereas evolution is
THE EVOLUTION IMPASSE I