It has been suggested by some that evolution is speculative, or that it isn’t testable. I can understand why someone coming from a creationist background might think that because they are continually told that this is the case. The science behind evolution is a bit opaque and is much harder to understand than the straightforward arguments used by some creationists. There are lots of reasons why a well meaning person may not have a full appreciation for the science that backs the theory of evolution.
Perhaps the first question a person should ask, if they think evolution is speculative, is why so many biologists have no problem with the theory. This includes thousands of christian scientists. This isn’t an atheist only thing. This is 99+% of biologists regardless of religious or political affiliation.
A creationist named Todd Wood had this to say about 9 years ago:
“Evolution is not a theory in crisis. It is not teetering on the verge of collapse. It has not failed as a scientific explanation. There is evidence for evolution, gobs and gobs of it. It is not just speculation or a faith choice or an assumption or a religion. It is a productive framework for lots of biological research, and it has amazing explanatory power. There is no conspiracy to hide the truth about the failure of evolution. There has really been no failure of evolution as a scientific theory. It works, and it works well.”
–Todd Wood
Again, this is a creationist saying this. There is no conspiracy to hide a failing theory. There is no way that a conspiracy would even work given the global nature of the scientific community and the diversity of its membership.
In the name of Peaceful Science, I think it would be helpful if creationist realize that there has to be something to the scientific theory in order for so many scientists to accept it. On the flip side, those of us who accept the science of evolution should be a bit more forgiving for those well meaning people who have not spent as much time looking at the science as we have. Just to continue on with Todd Wood’s thoughts:
“Creationist students, listen to me very carefully: There is evidence for evolution, and evolution is an extremely successful scientific theory. That doesn’t make it ultimately true, and it doesn’t mean that there could not possibly be viable alternatives. It is my own faith choice to reject evolution, because I believe the Bible reveals true information about the history of the earth that is fundamentally incompatible with evolution. I am motivated to understand God’s creation from what I believe to be a biblical, creationist perspective. Evolution itself is not flawed or without evidence. Please don’t be duped into thinking that somehow evolution itself is a failure. Please don’t idolize your own ability to reason. Faith is enough. If God said it, that should settle it. Maybe that’s not enough for your scoffing professor or your non-Christian friends, but it should be enough for you.”