4 out of 4 stars
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Darwin was not cut out to be a physician, like his father. Instead, he nurtured a desire to please his father for years, somewhat in spite of himself. However, quite by chance, as soon as Captain Fitz Roy offered him an opportunity to tour the world aboard his H. M. S. Beagle, he quit on his father’s dreams. In so doing, Darwin might have brought disgrace to his family; but according to referenced sources contained in Michael Earl Riemer’s book Reindeer Don’t Fly: Exploring the Evidence-Lacking Realm of Evolutionary Philosophy, Charles Darwin was the golden boy whose great mind influenced modern thought.
During his voyage, Darwin spent 5 weeks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean’s Galapagos Islands. Based on the observed physical differences in 13 “species” of finches, Darwin advanced a suggestion that complex organisms have matured gradually over geologic time from simpler ones. As you can imagine, Darwin’s work caused an immediate sensation among scientists, who drew attention to the most foundational issue of creation versus evolution. Why then does Riemer postulate that there are no facts or evidence for evolution? What is the philosophy of Naturalism that hinders an evolutionist from considering Intelligent Design (creationism)?
The above is only part of the numerous questions Riemer tackles effectively in his book. In an animated tone, peppered with humor for effect, Riemer exposes evolution for what it is—a stealth religion based on beliefs and masquerading as science. The first chapter, “How Old is the Earth?”, is especially important as it lays the foundational framework of these two opposing belief systems. Early on in my reading, I was really curious to know why various radiometric techniques can’t be relied upon as dating methods, as often our world is portrayed (erroneously?) as being billions of years old by geologists (evolutionists).
On the other hand, as a parent, my pet subject in this drawn-out “fight for souls” is directed at the manner of indoctrination I witness happening to preschoolers through numerous dinosaur stories or cartoons, and later on, to school-going kids in the form of textbooks with content promoting evolution. As Riemer notes, “a once vibrant devotion to God that had resided within a young child’s heart is educated out of them.” Over time, children find themselves believing in evolutionism which insists on a common ancestry of all organisms, “and out of necessity, that original ancestor was a rock.”
Riemer’s book is non-technical and delivered in a discussion-based format. In addition, it has a lot of reference materials from all sides of the divide, hence, readers will be well equipped to decide for themselves as to their standpoint. Furthermore, to those readers who choose creationism, they will learn to appreciate more the wonders of creation and learn how best to employ the resources designed by God: as an example, I was especially intrigued by the “back to Eden method of organic gardening” practiced by one Paul Gautschi. Based on his method, it doesn’t matter what kind of soil (sandy, rocky, clay, etc.) someone starts with, “within a few years one would be harvesting nutritious produce from those very spots without removing any small rocks or digging the ground first!”
Riemer’s book is well-edited: because I came across a few errors touching on misplaced commas, a wrongly capitalized word, and one instance of mixed tenses in a sentence. For the above-mentioned reasons, I happily recommend the book to Christians, and especially parents, who need materials to rebut the lies that are leveled at them by the adherents of Darwinism. Comparably, the book will build faith in God and answer questions to often difficult but common theological questions. Additionally, secular readers who need insights into agricultural techniques, propagation or philosophy will also find the book worthwhile. Lastly, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars.
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Reindeer Don't Fly
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