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Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers.  They are like minor league baseball players who take steroids to try to get to the major leagues: they think that harping on evolution will gain them credibility they lack based on their intellect.  Evolution syndrome can be seen on [[wiki]]s, [[Usenet]] groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs.

Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers.  They are like minor league baseball players who take steroids to try to get to the major leagues: they think that harping on evolution will gain them credibility they lack based on their intellect.  Evolution syndrome can be seen on [[wiki]]s, [[Usenet]] groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs.

There is a high incidence of [[atheism]] among this group, and indeed, many if not most atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of [[theistic evolution]]ists suggests that the link is not absolute.

There is a high incidence of [[atheism]] among this group; indeed, many, if not most, atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of [[theistic evolution]]ists suggests that the link is not absolute.

Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views, and avoiding the insistence that others should share in one's view are key to avoiding evolution syndrome.

Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views, and avoiding the insistence that others should share in one's view are key to avoiding evolution syndrome.

*The evolutionist myopically focuses on one variable/aspect of a matter rather than looking at the whole issue. See also: [[Fallacy of exclusion]]

*The evolutionist myopically focuses on one variable/aspect of a matter rather than looking at the whole issue. See also: [[Fallacy of exclusion]]

*The evolutionist engages in "mind reading" and baselessly attributes bad intentions in the other party  

*The evolutionist engages in "mind reading" and baselessly attributes bad intentions to the other party  

*The evolutionist becomes angry - even when not provoked.

*The evolutionist becomes angry - even when not provoked.

*Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the evolutionists engage in personal attacks and/or seek to harm the other party. See also: [[Ad hominem]] and [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]]

*Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the evolutionist engages in personal attacks and/or seeks to harm the other party. See also: [[Ad hominem]] and [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]]

==== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist who has shut down rational thinking ====

==== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist who has shut down rational thinking ====

== The behavior of the fans of Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers and other matters ==

== The behavior of the fans of Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers and other matters ==

In February 2010, the news organization ''The Telegraph'' reported that [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and evolutionist [[Richard Dawkins]] was "embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and 'frivolous gossip'."<ref name="telegraph" /> In addition, Richard Dawkins [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|has a reputation for being abrasive]].

In February 2010, the news organization ''The Telegraph'' reported that [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and evolutionist [[Richard Dawkins]] were "embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and 'frivolous gossip'."<ref name="telegraph" /> In addition, Richard Dawkins [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|has a reputation for being abrasive]].

In 2010, the [[Christian apologetics]] website [[True Free Thinker]] wrote: "Scienceblogger [http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2008/04/the_cost_of_not_framing.php Chad Orzel described]  the commentators on [[PZ Myers]] ' Scienceblogs.com site [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]], and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."<ref name="telegraph">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html</ref>

In 2010, the [[Christian apologetics]] website [[True Free Thinker]] wrote: "Scienceblogger [http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2008/04/the_cost_of_not_framing.php Chad Orzel described]  the commentators on [[PZ Myers]] ' Scienceblogs.com site [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]], and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."<ref name="telegraph">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html</ref>

''See also:'' [[Question evolution! campaign]]

''See also:'' [[Question evolution! campaign]]

Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution|theory of evolution]] which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been atheists.<ref>

Since [[World War II]], a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution|theory of evolution]], which employs [[methodological naturalism]], have been atheists.<ref>

* Dr. Don Batten,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.

* Dr. Don Batten,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.

* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]

* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]

</ref> In 2011, a campaign called the [[Question evolution! campaign]] was launched by the [[Bible|biblical]] [[creation]] organization [[Creation Ministries International]] which is a worldwide "[[grassroots|grass-roots]] movement to challenge the anti-[[Christianity|Christian]] [[dogma]] of [[evolution]]".<ref name="qevo" /> The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on "15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer."<ref name="qevo" /> The 15 questions posed to evolutionists (and undecided individuals) can be found [https://creation.com/15-questions HERE] The campaign will be primarily conducted in the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Singapore]] and [[South Africa]].<ref name="qevo" />

</ref> In 2011, a campaign called the [[Question evolution! campaign]] was launched by the [[Bible|biblical]] [[creation]] organization [[Creation Ministries International]], which is a worldwide "[[grassroots|grass-roots]] movement to challenge the anti-[[Christianity|Christian]] [[dogma]] of [[evolution]]".<ref name="qevo" /> The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on "15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer."<ref name="qevo" /> The 15 questions posed to evolutionists (and undecided individuals) can be found [https://creation.com/15-questions HERE]. The campaign will be primarily conducted in the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Singapore]] and [[South Africa]].<ref name="qevo" />

== See also ==

== See also ==