Some people describe evolutionary theory as "Darwinism". After Darwin and the re-discovery of genetics, the Modern Synthesis (produced in the 1930s and 40s). PZ Myers today listed some of the way our current understanding is no longer reflected by the Modern Synthesis. This much change to a theory developed decades after Darwin died, yet somehow people still use "Darwiniac".
....regardless of what "modifications" evolutionist have made or would like to make over the past century, the fact remains that the definition of what constitutes "evolution" has NOT changed! In the context of this thread and our discussion of "evolution" it is necessary that we clarify what we are talking about —the theory that the first living organism developed from nonliving matter. Then, as it reproduced, it is said to have changed into different kinds of living things, producing ultimately all forms of life that have ever existed on earth, including humans. And all of this is believed to have been accomplished without intelligent direction or supernatural intervention.
Or put another way: Organic evolution is the theory that the first living organism developed from lifeless matter. Then, as it reproduced, it is said, it changed into different kinds of living things, ultimately producing all forms of plant and animal life that have ever existed on this earth. All of this is said to have been accomplished without the supernatural intervention of a Creator. Some persons endeavor to blend belief in God with evolution, saying that God created by means of evolution, that he brought into existence the first primitive life forms and that then higher life forms, including man, were produced by means of evolution.
Of interest in this regard is the following comment and observation:
“A century after Darwin’s death, we still have not the slightest demonstrable or even plausible idea of how evolution really took place—and in recent years this has led to an extraordinary series of battles over the whole question. .*.*. A state of almost open war exists among the evolutionists themselves, with every kind of [evolutionary] sect urging some new modification.”—C. Booker (London Times writer), The Star, (Johannesburg), April*20, 1982, p. 19.
....and
The introduction to the centennial edition of Darwin’s Origin of Species (London, 1956) says: “As we know, there is a great divergence of opinion among biologists, not only about the causes of evolution but even about the actual process. This divergence exists because
the evidence is unsatisfactory and does not permit any certain conclusion. It is therefore right and proper to draw the attention of the non-scientific public to the disagreements about evolution.”—By W. R. Thompson, then director of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Ottawa, Canada.