Torch, Fall/Winter 2009

22 TORCH | Fall–Winter 2009 But evidence suggests that some of these groups also practiced human sacrifice, cannibalism, slavery, and genocide, which contradicts this “noble savage” myth. The biblical account, in contrast, reveals a highly developed system of technology early in history. Tubal-Cain produced useful instruments through insights drawn from metallurgy. In addition to following God’s instructions for building the ark, Noah utilized the construction and engineering expertise of his day to assemble a seaworthy vessel capable of withstanding a worldwide flood. Both violence and a high degree of technological development characterized the pre-Flood world of Genesis. Clearly, society and human nature remains unchanged since the Fall, and “setbacks” like private property are far from the problem. Cultural Anthropology In a Darwinian world, everything is in a state of flux, with the slowness of change necessitating a timeline of millions of years. This rules out an unchanging God and calls into question any concept of moral absolutes. The Ten Commandments, for instance, are denied the status of a universal moral code that applies to all human societies. Evolutionists claim human society has progressed beyond the need for the arbitrary, authoritarian codes of behavior that characterized superstitious religious societies of the past. But the problem with this perspective is that an absolute standard of fairness will always accompany attempts to correct the inequities of society and the oppression of powerless victims. This standard of human rights applies to all people groups. The conflict seems obvious, but a Darwinian perspective can tolerate logical inconsistencies in moral codes. It allows a person to hold others to ethical obligations without him or her being personally accountable. Sociology and Religion Sociology assumes all human experience and knowledge is socially produced, including religion. For instance, religion is explained in terms of cultural influences — beliefs and practices passed from one generation to the next by way of oral tradition. In a Darwinian world, where “time plus chance” is preeminent, concepts of reality and truth are socially constructed. Each person’s religious “realities” are subjectively generated and may prove to be personally beneficial. With that in mind, it is acceptable if one’s spiritual experience provides peace of mind and release from fear. But it is unacceptable if one promotes his or her religion as obligatory for others. In a world where all truth claims are culturally relative, no religious “truth” can exist beyond human experience. The typical Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán outside Mexico City. The Aztecs, who performed human sacrifices, later used the pyramid and surrounding structures for religious purposes. STEVE ALLEN / ISTOCKPHOTO