Uncanceled Eugenics
Ryan Cox • March 19, 2021
February 24, 2021 marked the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man. This book served somewhat as a sequel to his 1859 On the Origin of Species. In the first work, Darwin did not deal with human evolution in much detail. Now that his publication of evolutionary thoughts had gained notoriety, he attempted to tackle human evolution in the 1871 book.
Expounding upon his thoughts of civilized and barbarous peoples, he continued, “In a tribe thus rendered more numerous there would always be a rather better chance of the birth of other superior and inventive members. If such men left children to inherit their mental superiority, the chance of the birth of still more ingenious members would be somewhat better, and in a very small tribe decidedly better. Even if they left no children, the tribe would still include their blood-relations; and it has been ascertained by agriculturists that by preserving and breeding from the family of an animal… the desired character has been obtained.”(2)
Darwin concluded, “At some future period… the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes [i.e. less evolved people]… will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.”(3)
Darwin clearly believed that peoples of Africa and Australia are less evolved (hardly any different than gorillas) and such peoples will one day be exterminated. His works were then used by men like Herbert Spencer, Francis Galton, Ernst Haeckel, Charles Davenport and many others to promote eugenics-based teachings and policies. In the early 1900s, 32 states in the USA enacted eugenics programs. Some 60,000 to 70,000 individuals were forcibly sterilized from 1907 through the 1960s.(4) In Germany, millions were killed in the eugenics-driven holocaust.
One would think there would be a deafening cry for Darwin and his works to be canceled in the current political climate. The problem is, most supporters of the “cancel culture” are of an evolutionary worldview; they support today’s means of eugenics.
The vast majority of women having abortions are considered to be “low income” (75%).(5) Minority women are disproportionally having abortions (6.3% of “white” women vs 21.2% of “black” women).(6) It is believed by some that these statistics represent purposeful targeting of low-income and minority communities.(7) Indeed, the late Supreme Court Justice and abortion activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in 2009, “Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.”(8)
And now in today’s technological era, there is the ever-growing genetic manipulation of babies that is raising deep moral questions.(9) In the words of embryologist Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge, “We are entering a new era, one where we can manipulate the cellular units of life as skillfully as a potter works clay.”(10)
The importance of Biblical worldview cannot be overstated. It must be taught in homes and churches. World history has witnessed the devastating, deadly effects of evolutionary-based worldviews. If we are to prevent these things in the 21st century, we must make Biblical worldview training an essential part of life.
In his evolutionary worldview of humanity, Darwin wrote, “At the present day civilised nations are everywhere supplanting barbarous nations, excepting where the climate opposes a deadly barrier; and they succeed mainly, though not exclusively, through their arts, which are the products of the intellect.”(1)
Expounding upon his thoughts of civilized and barbarous peoples, he continued, “In a tribe thus rendered more numerous there would always be a rather better chance of the birth of other superior and inventive members. If such men left children to inherit their mental superiority, the chance of the birth of still more ingenious members would be somewhat better, and in a very small tribe decidedly better. Even if they left no children, the tribe would still include their blood-relations; and it has been ascertained by agriculturists that by preserving and breeding from the family of an animal… the desired character has been obtained.”(2)
Darwin concluded, “At some future period… the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes [i.e. less evolved people]… will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.”(3)
Darwin clearly believed that peoples of Africa and Australia are less evolved (hardly any different than gorillas) and such peoples will one day be exterminated. His works were then used by men like Herbert Spencer, Francis Galton, Ernst Haeckel, Charles Davenport and many others to promote eugenics-based teachings and policies. In the early 1900s, 32 states in the USA enacted eugenics programs. Some 60,000 to 70,000 individuals were forcibly sterilized from 1907 through the 1960s.(4) In Germany, millions were killed in the eugenics-driven holocaust.
One would think there would be a deafening cry for Darwin and his works to be canceled in the current political climate. The problem is, most supporters of the “cancel culture” are of an evolutionary worldview; they support today’s means of eugenics.
The vast majority of women having abortions are considered to be “low income” (75%).(5) Minority women are disproportionally having abortions (6.3% of “white” women vs 21.2% of “black” women).(6) It is believed by some that these statistics represent purposeful targeting of low-income and minority communities.(7) Indeed, the late Supreme Court Justice and abortion activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in 2009, “Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.”(8)
And now in today’s technological era, there is the ever-growing genetic manipulation of babies that is raising deep moral questions.(9) In the words of embryologist Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge, “We are entering a new era, one where we can manipulate the cellular units of life as skillfully as a potter works clay.”(10)
The importance of Biblical worldview cannot be overstated. It must be taught in homes and churches. World history has witnessed the devastating, deadly effects of evolutionary-based worldviews. If we are to prevent these things in the 21st century, we must make Biblical worldview training an essential part of life.
Creation Truth Foundation exists to assist families, individuals, and churches in worldview development. Thank you so very much for your faithful prayers and support.
(1) Charles Darwin. The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. Published by John Murray, 1871. 1st edition, p. 161.
(2) Ibid., p. 162.
(3) Ibid., pp. 168-9.
(4) Edwin Black, War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race. Dialog Press, 2012, p. xvi. See also “The Supreme Court Ruling that led to 70,000 Forced Sterilizations”, Fresh Air, 24 March 2017, <https://www.npr.org/2017/03/24/521360544/the-supreme-court-ruling-that-led-to-70-000-forced-sterilizations>
(5) Jerman J, Jones RK and Onda T, “Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients in 2014 and Changes Since 2008”, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2016, <https://www.guttmacher.org/infographic/2016/abortion-patients-are-disproportionately-poor-and-low-income#>
(6) CDC Abortion Surveillance – United States, 2018, published 9/27/2020, <https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6907a1.htm#T5_down>
(7) Steven Ertelt, “79% of Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics Target Blacks, Hispanics”, LifeNews.com, 16 October 2012, <https://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/16/79-of-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinics-target-blacks-hispanics/>
(8) Interview with New York Times Magazine reporter Emily Bazelon, quoted by The Federalist and National Review
< https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/24/ruth-bader-ginsburg-really-wants-poor-people-to-stop-having-babies/>
< https://www.nationalreview.com/2009/07/ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-question-eugenics-jonah-goldberg/>
(9) See for example: <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-jennifer-doudna-walter-isaacson-the-code-breaker/>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article/designer-babies-arent-futuristic-theyre-already-here>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/designer-babies-all-you-ever-wanted-know-and-more-kicks-webinar-series-genetics>
(2) Ibid., p. 162.
(3) Ibid., pp. 168-9.
(4) Edwin Black, War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race. Dialog Press, 2012, p. xvi. See also “The Supreme Court Ruling that led to 70,000 Forced Sterilizations”, Fresh Air, 24 March 2017, <https://www.npr.org/2017/03/24/521360544/the-supreme-court-ruling-that-led-to-70-000-forced-sterilizations>
(5) Jerman J, Jones RK and Onda T, “Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients in 2014 and Changes Since 2008”, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2016, <https://www.guttmacher.org/infographic/2016/abortion-patients-are-disproportionately-poor-and-low-income#>
(6) CDC Abortion Surveillance – United States, 2018, published 9/27/2020, <https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6907a1.htm#T5_down>
(7) Steven Ertelt, “79% of Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics Target Blacks, Hispanics”, LifeNews.com, 16 October 2012, <https://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/16/79-of-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinics-target-blacks-hispanics/>
(8) Interview with New York Times Magazine reporter Emily Bazelon, quoted by The Federalist and National Review
< https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/24/ruth-bader-ginsburg-really-wants-poor-people-to-stop-having-babies/>
< https://www.nationalreview.com/2009/07/ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-question-eugenics-jonah-goldberg/>
(9) See for example: <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-jennifer-doudna-walter-isaacson-the-code-breaker/>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article/designer-babies-arent-futuristic-theyre-already-here>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/designer-babies-all-you-ever-wanted-know-and-more-kicks-webinar-series-genetics>
(10) Kate Womersley, “The Beautiful Science of Embryology”, Prospect Magazine, 3 March 2021, <https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/the-beautiful-science-of-embryology>
One of the most important ministry focuses CTF has is the Sharp Institute for Biblical Worldview Studies (SIBWS). Dr. Sharp began this division of our ministry in 2005 because of a specific call from the Lord. As Doc would share often, the Lord challenged him. He saw that even with all of the programming and books sold in the church programs that we did year after year, and as impactful and Kingdom-building as that was, when we left there was most often no one in the local body to continue our message and teaching on Genesis 1-12 and its importance to the Gospel. The Lord directed Doc to multiply the teaching and mission of CTF in the local body. So Doc heard the call and accepted the challenge, as he always did from the Lord, and IBWS was born. Doc called a few people to join him for study that first meeting of the IBWS at a dude ranch in north Texas. I was one of those first invited to come and study, as many of you know from my personal testimony shared over the years. It was Providence that directed me to this Cadre study group and laid the foundation for me to be in the position I am today. As the four of us in that first group studied, the Lord connected, emphasized, and exhorted the importance of Genesis in our worldviews. When I left that first meeting, I was full and ready to teach and preach what the Lord had just challenged and changed in my worldview. Now, 21 years later, Doc’s original calling and direction for the IBWS continues. Over the course of these years, 146 members have completed the training. Each one has been challenged to use what they have learned wherever the Lord places them in ministry. For some it is from the pulpit, others are in vocational student ministry, and some have been called to primarily impact their own families with worldview training. We send them off with all of our outlines and presentation slides to help accomplish this task. It is quite exciting to look back and see what the Lord has done through this endeavor. Ryan and I literally might not be where we are today if we hadn’t first studied in our Cadre program. When Doc retired and passed the mantle of the presidency to me in 2018, it seemed fitting to honor his enduring call to Biblical worldview training by renaming the Institute to bear his name. So now it will forever be called the Sharp Institute for Biblical Worldview Studies. Over the course of its history we have had consistent numbers of invited members desiring to learn more of the Word of God. However, we have never had a consistent location to provide the training. It’s through the generous offerings of borrowed church facilities that we have been able to continue SIBWS without a home of its own. It is time to change that. We are in need of our own facility to house the SIBWS presently and for future expansion of this CTF ministry division. We have been pursuing different options, from renovating our present office building to the purchasing of additional space. Providence would have it that 2 doors north of our offices there is a property for sale. It is a great fit for the SIBWS Cadre program needs, and it would also provide room for our books and resources department to expand out of its present cramped space. It has a room for a training facility, a kitchen (needing renovation), dining room options, possible sleeping quarters for a Cadre member in need, 3 bathrooms and a shower, parking out back (which we have been blessed to utilize for years by permission), and the afore mentioned room for our books and resources department. We have no idea how we could ever afford such a property without the Lord’s help, as we are devoted to being as debt free as possible moving forward in this ministry. In the midst of seeking the Lord for this need to be met, He has already sent us a generous offer of a $100,000 matching gift toward the purchase of a property , even if the building up the block is not the one. Truly, our financial position has never been more blessed at any other time in our history than at present, being completely debt free. So, I share all of this to ask for your prayers as we move forward to find a solution to our need of a home for the SIBWS and it’s continued effectiveness for the Kingdom. Also lift up the matching gift offer: I must exhort you to seek the Lord if you are one to help us do what, at this moment seems impossible, to purchase property without incurring debt . The mission of CTF is accomplished month in and month out with the exceeding blessings of churches, family members, and individuals that support us. The Lord’s faithfulness through all these years is unmistakable and we look forward to seeing Him do more of the impossible. May the Lord bless, keep, and challenge you for His Kingdom!
The First Prayer In Congress by T.H. Matteson, 1848