Theory of Evolution

The modern theory of evolution was developed by Charles Darwin, an amateur English naturalist in the 19th century. He proposed that all of the millions of species of organisms present today, including humans, evolved slowly over billions of years, from a common ancestor by way of natural selection. This idea said that the individual best adapted to their habitat passed on their traits to their offspring. Over time these advantaged qualities accumulated and transformed the individual into a species entirely different from its ancestors (ex. birds from reptiles, whales from bears, humans from apes). There is proof of evolution everywhere you look, with fossils and even primates. Most significantly, look at DNA. According to National Geographic scientists have sequenced the genome and discovered that humans share over 95% of our DNA with primates. Evolutionists say, early cells evolved into the millions of species of organisms that ever lived.

In the process of evolution, a change, called a mutation, in the genetic code of an organism occurs because of radiation, chemicals, or a chance event. This change is then either kept or removed by natural selection. If the organism survives, it passes its traits on to its offspring. Over time, these changes accumulate in the population and another species evolves, which is totally different from its ancestors.

According to All About the Journey Evolutionary Theory appears to have seven distinct and interrelated phases, set by Science in the following order:

1. Cosmic Evolution - development of space, time, matter and energy from nothing.

2. Stellar Evolution - the development of complex stars from the first elements.

3. Chemical Evolution - the development of all chemical elements from an original two.

4. Planetary Evolution - the development of planetary systems from swirling elements.

5. Organic Evolution - the development of organic life from inorganic matter (a rock).

6. Macro-Evolution - the development of one kind of life from a totally different kind of life.

7. Micro-Evolution - the development of variations within the same kind of life.