THE ENERGY OF LIFE IN YOUR CELLS: THE ATP MOLECULE
THE ENERGY OF LIFE IN YOUR CELLS: THE ATP MOLECULE
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Energy we obtain from food cannot be used directly by our cells in carrying out the processes required for their continued existence. First the energy is packaged into a special molecule called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Later on, it's used to carry out all the manufacture and transferals taking place in the cell.
The body uses 48 kilograms of ATP a day. But amazingly enough, at any one point during the day, the amount of ATP in the body never exceeds one gram. The reason for this is that ATP is not stored, but rather is prepared in special packets for immediate use. Never forget that the cell's life depends upon this energy. For this reason, the production of ATP must occur very quickly. And so, at every second, each of your approximately 100 trillion cells consumes and regenerates ten million molecules of ATP.
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How is this speed maintained?
Whenever a cell needs energy, the end phosphate linkage of the ATP molecule's three phosphate groups is broken; that is, the packet of energy is opened. With the breakage of one phosphate linkage, the subsequent release of energy lets the cell carry out its functions with ease. And this amazing process continues with amazing speed and without fail.
Without doubt, it's impossible for a molecule made up of atoms to determine a cell's energy requirements and then produce the appropriate energy. That this production is carried out in a most efficient way and with the most appropriate packaging system cannot be the product of coincidence. The Creator of the cell and of every action and process of the molecules within the cell is God; it is He Who put the ATP molecule at the service of living things in such a perfect manner.
THE OIL REFINERY IN OUR BODIES
THE OIL REFINERY IN OUR BODIES
The
energy you require to arise from where you are and start walking, to
breathe, to open and close your eyes—in short, the energy you need to
be alive is made in powerhouses inside your cells, called mitochondria.
When we examine the processes carried out in the mitochondria, it
becomes clear why comparing them to a powerhouse is no exaggeration.
In the production of energy in the cell, oxygen plays the main role. Oxygen has plenty of helpers. At practically all stages of the production of energy, different enzymes play their part. At any particular step of this process, enzymes that have completed their duty "change shifts" with other enzymes coming into action for the next step. This is done in a most conscious manner, and in this way, the energy stored in foods is converted into a form useful to the cell, as the result of endless chemical reactions, many minor processes, and hundreds of different enzymes going into action. In all of this changing of enzymes, there is not the slightest confusion, nor any mixing up of the order. All the "workers" carry out their duty as if they were part of a well-disciplined team.
And so, it can be said that the energy powerhouse located in a cell, only one hundredth of a millimeter in size, is much more complex than any oil refinery or hydroelectric plant.
 The mitochondrion, made up of proteins found in the cell, works just like an electrical power station to generate the energy the cell needs. |
An oil refinery is built and run by engineers aware of what petroleum is, who have analyzed crude oil in the laboratory, and who act in the light of this technical information. It would be impossible for anyone ignorant of what petroleum is to build a refinery.
In the same way, knowledge is required to produce energy in a cell which is much more complex than an oil refinery. It's obviously ridiculous to suggest that a cell has the ability to learn. But then how do cells bring about this production?
The truth is, no cell has the opportunity to "learn" any biological process, in its literal sense. If the cell couldn't carry out this process when it first appeared, then it would have no chance of acquiring the necessary skills later on—simply because oxygen, which plays such a central role in energy production, has a destructive effect on the cell. The cell had to have appeared together with this defensive property. This is only one of many proofs that cells didn't appear as the result of any coincidence, but were created by God in one instant.
With this artistry, displayed in an area one-hundredth the size of a millimeter, God shows us the limitlessness to His power.
EXPOUNDING EVIDENCE OF GOD'S EXISTENCE CAN FREE PEOPLE FROM IRRE
EXPOUNDING EVIDENCE OF GOD'S EXISTENCE CAN FREE PEOPLE FROM IRRELIGIOUS BELIEFS
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On some cells are found cilia that resemble
eyelashes and facilitate |
According to the Darwinist claims, all living things result from spontaneous coincidences. But the thousands of complex systems in our bodies deny this nonsense of "coincidence." One example is the hairlike structures whose sole duty is to allow the cell to move and which, in turn, consist of thousands of minute details.
Some cells move by the use of short, microscopic structures, called cilia, that resemble eyelashes. For example, each of the stationary cells in the respiratory tract possesses hundreds of cilia. By moving together all at the same time, just like the oars on a racing scull, these structures enable the cell to move forward.
* When a cross section of a cilium is cut, it can be seen to be very organized and made up of a ring of nine doublet microtubules around the periphery and two singlet microtubules in the middle.
* Each of the doublet microtubules has a ring with 13 microfilaments and another one with 11 microfilaments.
* The microtubules are made of a protein called "tubulin."
* The microtubules also have two extensions, an outer arm and an inner arm, both made of a protein called "dynein." This protein's function is to act as a motor for the cilia and provide mechanical strength.
* Molecules making up the tubulin protein virtually line up together like bricks to form cylindrical structures. However, the organization of the tubulin molecules is much more complex than the laying of bricks.
* There are ten short extensions on the top and ten cavities on the bottom of each tubulin. These cavities and extensions have been created to fit snugly inside each other, thus creating a very sound structure. Even the slightest defect in the very special design of these cavities or extensions will result in damage to the cell.
All these components that we've summarized briefly and simply compose just one single cilium; and its sole aim is to move just that one cell, out of the trillions of cells in your body. Such an extensive system exists in every cell of the respiratory system of everyone who has ever lived and of every person alive today. Moreover, this complex system made up of many different parts is the substructure of a cilium on a cell we can't even see with our eyes. You can grasp how small this area is by the following comparison: Fitting all of the details explained above into one of the hairs on your head would be so complex that our brains couldn't comprehend it. But the cilia of the cell we're talking about have just such an incomparably small substructure.
In short, God has placed a most systematic and complex mechanism in a place too small for our eyes to see. It's totally impossible for "coincidence" to think about moving a cell and fitting such a system in so small an area. This is possible only with the superior and infinite mind, knowledge and power of God.
HOW CAN CELLS RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER?
HOW CAN CELLS RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER?
In
high school or at college, we've studied how human beings are formed.
In its first stages, the embryo is a formless piece of tissue. But as
it continues to develop, some cells form the arms, some the inner
organs, and a few are set aside for the eyes.
Every cell "knows" where it must go, which organ it will form, to what degree it should multiply, and when to stop dividing. But the following extract provides another amazing fact about the embryo's development:
If we separate the cells of the embryo that belong to different organs—by decreasing the amount of calcium in the environment—and then later on, mix these cells together in a suitable environment, we find that on coming into contact once again, the cells that belong to the same organs recognize each other and form distinct groups of cells that belong to the same organs. (Ahmet Noyan, Yasamda ve Hekimlikte Fizyoloji (Physiology in Life and Medicine), 10th ed., Ankara:Meteksan Publications, 1998, p. 40)
That is, if cells are first separated from each other, then brought together again, the cells that make up the same organs recognize each other and reassemble themselves again.
But how can these cells, which have no brain or nervous system, no eyes or no ears, recognize each other?
How do these substances, formed from some molecules with no brain or consciousness, recognize their own type of cell out of a group?
How can they know that they will later unite to form an organ? What is the source of the obvious consciousness displayed by these unconscious molecules?
The source of their consciousness is God, the Lord of the worlds, Who created the whole universe out of nothing.
(Qur'an, 41: 53)
THE SHAPE OF CELLS REFUTES THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
THE SHAPE OF CELLS REFUTES THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
There
are approximately 200 different types of cells in your body, yet they
differ from one another in only the slightest of ways. One of the most
important differences is shape. Although nerve cells, muscle cells, and
blood cells all have the same basic DNA, it is thanks to their perfect
individual shapes that they function with the utmost efficiency in the
region of the body where they carry out their duties.
Two examples of cells with different shapes are nerve cells and blood cells. Nerve cells have long extensions, called axons, from the spinal cord to the feet that can reach up to one meter in length in humans. This way, when stimuli pass from one cell to another, there is no time lost. The impulses pass directly to where they are going.
Red blood cells, called erythrocytes, however, contrary to nerve cells, are only about 7-8 micrometers in diameter. The very fact of their being so tiny means that they penetrate the smallest of capillaries with ease, and without getting deformed. In addition, their biconcave shape maximizes the surface area across which oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. If you consider that there are millions of these cells in one cubic millimeter of blood, it won't be hard for you to estimate the massive surface area on which this exchange of gases is carried out.
Cells in the eye and ear are also specialized in regards to shape. The cochlea, inside the inner ear, contains sensory cells which have hairlike projections that produce nerve impulses in response to sound vibrations in the middle ear. Somewhat similarly, light-sensitive cells of the retina in the eye have also been designed to perform their function in the best way possible. The cone cells in the retina contain many light-sensitive pigments, as well as a layer containing nerve connections. This organization gives the cone cells a very high sensitivity to light.
In the small intestine, too, there are nutrient-absorbing cells with the appropriate shape to perform their special functions. The lining of the small intestine is covered by millions of fingerlike projections called villi. On each villus are microvilli which are even tinier. The combination of these projections increases the surface area for digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Never forget that all of the billions of cells in the human body came about from the division of just one original cell, which originated from the union of sperm and egg. To think that each of these cells chose their individual shapes and then somehow assumed the shape of a body is totally illogical. This all shows clearly that cells are created in the most efficient ways to carry out their functions. That is, they are created by God, the Possessor of infinite wisdom and intelligence.
THE PERFECTION OF DNA CONTRADICTS THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
THE PERFECTION OF DNA CONTRADICTS THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
In
one molecule of human DNA, there exists enough information to fill a
million-page encyclopaedia. But the order in this information is also
vitally important. Ask yourself whether hundreds of letters tossed
about at random could possibly come together to form a coherent news
article.
Could millions of these same letters arrange themselves together perfectly and appropriately as to form an entire newspaper? Can anyone claim this is all a product of blind coincidence? According to Darwinist understanding, it's possible for all these amazing events to come about coincidentally.
Darwinism thinks that it has deceived all the world's populace like little children. This ideology presents coincidence as having divine consciousness, and asserts that it somehow possesses an amazing genius and greater knowledge than all the people in the world.
According to evolutionists, time is the only thing necessary for this "genius" called coincidence to shape the brains of all those humans who have lived over thousands of years.
And not their brains only, but their minds, their capacity for thought, their reasoning, memory, and hundreds of other physical and spiritual attributes.
If provided with matter and enough time, coincidence has the power to create people, ants, horses, giraffes, peacocks, butterflies, figs, olives, oranges, peaches, pomegranates, watermelons, tomatos, bananas, tulips, violets, strawberries, orchids, roses and hundreds of thousands of other living things you cannot even think of. Obviously this entire claim is nothing but nonsense. The Creator of all things is God.
THE DEVICE IN YOUR BODY THAT CAN COPY A MILLION PAGES OF INFORMA
THE DEVICE IN YOUR BODY THAT CAN COPY A MILLION PAGES OF INFORMATION IN TWENTY MINUTES
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It's long been known that cells multiply by division. During this process, the DNA found in the nucleus of each cell needs to be copied for each new "daughter" cell. During this process of replication, an amazing event takes place that requires consideration.
DNA's data bank, made up of three billion letters, is able to store massive amounts of information concerning the living organism. To write down all the information contained in DNA would require an encyclopaedia of approximately 1,000 volumes, with a total of a million pages. Therefore, the replication of DNA and the copying of a million-page encyclopaedia are comparable. But do you know how long this process of DNA replication takes?
Between 20 and 80 minutes!
Now, that means that the equivalent of one million pages of writing can be copied, with no mistakes or deficiencies, in a period of less than two hours—and sometimes, under a half hour. No photocopier or any other technological device available today can complete this copying process faultlessly, in such a short period of time. And consider that no technological machines are carrying out this process, but cells that we cannot even see with the naked eye. Now ask yourself:
Who possesses the power and mind, will and knowledge to bring about this amazing organization? What realizes that the DNA must be copied when a cell divides? What brings about this replication in the fastest, most perfect way, and which allows for any mistakes to be fixed immediately?
Clearly, it's illogical and senseless to claim that this whole complex, faultless and perfect system came about as a result of coincidence. Bring together all of the atoms in the universe, under the proper conditions, and still you won't be able to create the system that carries out the replication of DNA in every living organism.
It is quite obvious that the One Who created this perfect system, Who has continued to create it for millions of years is God, the Possessor of infinite knowledge, consciousness, and power.
BELIEF IN DARWINISM REQUIRES ABANDONING LOGIC AND WISDOM
BELIEF IN DARWINISM REQUIRES ABANDONING LOGIC AND WISDOM All of the cells in your body multiply by division. During this process, the DNA in the cell's nucleus needs to be copied too. The process of DNA replication takes place without fault, in a regular, most organized and disciplined way that strikes awe in attentive observers. The DNA molecule, containing a miniaturized data bank of three billion letters, is like a ladder that has twisted around itself to form a helix. At the beginning of replication, the enzyme DNA helicase first approaches the DNA molecule and starts to unwind the helix, just as in the opening of a zipper. The twin strands of DNA in the helix, formerly wound around each other, separate as a result. DNA helicase is always ready to perform its duty on time, without any fault, without becoming confused or making the slightest mistake, and without damaging the DNA in any way. Then it's the turn of another enzyme, DNA polymerase. Its duty is to complete each unwound strand of the DNA with a second one. In order to do so, it must locate and bring the organizing information appropriate for each strand. But wait! An enzyme, made up only of atoms and molecules, cannot be expected to have any knowledge, consciousness, or mind of its own. Yet it can identify the type of information needed to complete the half-strand of DNA and then, locate the necessary components, wherever they may be in the cell, and bring them to where they're needed. During this entire process, it doesn't make the slightest mistake. It identifies, one by one, the three billion letters in order to complete the strand of DNA correctly. At the same time, another polymerase enzyme works on the DNA's other strand and completes it in the same way. And while all this is taking place, "helix stabilizing" enzymes hold apart the two strands of DNA to prevent them from winding back around each other. During this process of DNA replication, many enzymes work with military discipline to carry out processes that require knowledge and cognition. If you were given a script containing three billion letters and were asked to type it over, you couldn't possibly copy it without making mistakes. You would certainly make at least one mistake somewhere, by skipping a line or at least, a letter or two. Yet these enzymes complete a comparable process repeatedly, without making any such errors. Darwinists claim that all of these enzymes, the information contained in the DNA's billions of letters, the process of DNA replication, and this entire faultless organization came about as the result of a string of coincidences. Evolutionists' belief in this unbelievable—in fact, impossible—assumption is a significant mistake that needs serious consideration. The sole reason for evolutionists' blind faith in this highly illogical theory is their commitment to materialism, together with their resolve to deny the existence of God.
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The theory of evolution was put forward by the naturalist Charles Darwin in the middle of the 19th century, when the level of science and technology was rather primitive, compared with today's. Nineteenth-century scientists worked in relatively simple laboratories. With the very unsophisticated equipment available to them, scientists couldn't even see bacteria. Moreover, they were still under the influence of many false beliefs left over from the Middle Ages.
One of these misconceptions was that living organisms had a fundamentally simple structure—a belief that can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who wrote that life could come about spontaneously and coincidentally, as a result of inorganic matter assembling itself in a moist environment.
In developing his theory, Darwin drew on the assumption that living things had only a simple structure. Other biologists who later adopted and defended Darwin's theory shared this same belief. For example, from the view of cells that 19th century microscopes provided, Ernst Haeckel, Darwin's greatest supporter in Germany, believed that a cell was a "simple little lump of albuminous combination of carbon," not much different from a piece of microscopic jello. (John Farley, The Spontaneous Generation Controversy from Descartes to Oparin, 2nd ed., Baltimore:The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979, p. 73)
The theory of evolution was based upon this and other similar presumptions. Authors of the theory like Haeckel, Darwin, and Huxley believed that because life was made up of very simple structures, it could come about by itself, randomly. But they were wrong, of course.
During the past 150 years, from Victorian times until now, both science and technology have made enormous strides. Scientists have discovered the real structure of what Haeckel described as being a "simple little lump." They have been amazed to see that the cell is not remotely as simple as was once believed, but contains a number of unimaginably complex systems that could never have been conceived of, much less understood, in Darwin's day.
In explaining the structure of the cell, Professor Michael Denton, the famous molecular biologist, makes this analogy:
To grasp the reality of life as it has been revealed by molecular biology, we must magnify a cell a thousand million times until it is twenty kilometers in diameter and resembles a giant airship large enough to cover a great city like London or New York. What we would then see would be an object of unparalleled complexity and adaptive design. On the surface of the cell we would see millions of openings, like the port holes of a vast space ship, opening and closing to allow a continual stream of materials to flow in and out. If we were to enter one of these openings we would find ourselves in a world of supreme technology and bewildering complexity... (Michael Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, London: Burnett Books, 1985, p. 328)
This book will introduce the miracles of creation in the living cell, a miniature masterpiece that possesses a much more complicated and wondrous system than a giant spaceship's. We will show how the organelles inside the cell, together with the enzymes, proteins and other substances that it produces, perform purposeful functions that could never be expected of them. We'll give examples of the literally trillions of cells to be found in the human body, each of which displays superhuman intelligence and wisdom. Once again, we remind ourselves how all of this cannot be merely an unconscious coincidence, but is a product of God.
Proofs of God's creation, and manifestations of His superior power, wisdom and artistry are everywhere. Wherever we turn, we come face to face with God's creations that move us to exalt Him with glorification.
One reason why this book concentrates on the cell in particular is once again to present the truth to those who deny God by claiming that life is only a result of coincidence. Living things are too complex, too infinitely detailed to have come about as the result of happenstance. It's clear that they were created by a superior Mind and Power. Also, this book aims to explain the superiority manifest in God's creation and to glorify Him thereby.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN, IN OTHER WORDS CREATION
In order to create, God has no need to design
It's important that the word "design" be properly understood. That God has created a flawless design does not mean that He first made a plan and then followed it. God, the Lord of the Earth and the heavens, needs no "designs" in order to create. God is exalted above all such deficiencies. His planning and creation take place at the same instant.
Whenever God wills a thing to come about, it is enough for Him just to say, "Be!" As verses of the Qur'an tell us: His command when He desires a thing is just to say to it, "Be!" and it is. (Qur'an, 36: 82)
[God is] the Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, "Be!" and it is. (Qur'an, 2: 117)
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Of course, the evolutionist confessions collected in this book represent only a very small fraction of those that could be found. Evolutionists, who have had to make such clear and honest admissions despite their dogmatic devotion to their theory, are in an even worse state when it comes to their internal thoughts. The famous American professor of biochemistry Michael Behe summarizes the condition of such scientists:
Over the past four decades modern biochemistry has uncovered the secrets of the cell. The progress has been hard won. It has required tens of thousands of people to dedicate the better parts of their lives to the tedious work of the laboratory. . . .
The result of these cumulative efforts to investigate the cell—to investigate life at the molecular level—is a loud, clear, piercing cry of “Design!” The result is so unambiguous and so significant that it must be ranked as one of the greatest achievements in the history of science . . . . This triumph of science should evoke cries of “Eureka!” from ten thousand throats, should occasion much hand-slapping and high-fiving, and perhaps even be an excuse to take a day off.
But no bottles have been uncorked, no hands slapped. Instead, a curious embarrassed silence surrounds the stark complexity of the cell. When the subject comes up in public, feet start to shuffle, and breathing gets a bit labored. In private, people are a bit more relaxed; many explicitly admit the obvious but then stare at the ground, shake their heads, and let it go at that.
Why does the scientific community not greedily embrace its startling discovery? Why is the observation of design handled with intellectual gloves? The dilemma is that while one side of the elephant is labeled “intelligent design,” the other side might be labeled “God.”412
So far, someone may have remained loyal to materialism and Darwinism and so, have set out his beliefs and perspective on life in accord with that philosophy and theory. He may even have spent decades in defending this theory and ideology, have written books and articles on the subject and held seminars and courses on it. But as Professor Behe states above, advances in science have clearly set out the true facts. And after having seen these, persisting in denial will inevitably cause humiliation for such people before the whole world.
Malcolm Muggeridge expresses the matter as follows:
I myself am convinced that the theory of evolution, especially the extent to which it's been applied, will be one of the great jokes in the history books in the future. Posterity will marvel that so very flimsy and dubious an hypothesis could be accepted with the incredible credulity that it has. 413
When even evolutionist scientists admit that the theory of evolution has no scientific and rational basis, blindly defending the theory on their behalf will doubtless represent the greatest irrationality and waste.
Up to here, we have set out how evolution is at variance with the scientific facts, how even the theory’s adherents admit as much, and that the theory is therefore an enormous error. What’s really important, however, is that this error is not merely a scientific one. A person may believe in a theory that is physically incorrect—for example, that the atom cannot be subdivided, a belief that was widely held at one time. But when findings show this to be incorrect, that person will have made merely a scientific error.
The position is very different, however, when it comes to the theory of evolution, because this theory attempts to answer the question of how we came into existence. It offers an atheistic answer, for which reason it leads to atheism most of those who believe in it, and to deny the existence of Allah (God). The fact is, however, that reason and science together show that Allah does exist, and that He is the Creator of the whole universe and of living things.
Denying Allah, however, means denying the existence of the only entity to which human beings owe their lives, which is terrible ingratitude and a terrible crime.
Therefore, those who believe in the theory of evolution, especially under the influence of various scientists, and who devote themselves to it blindly, must seriously reconsider their position. They must analyze the extent to which evolutionists have adopted an inconsistent logic, defective powers of judgment, unreliable natures and dogmatic attitudes.
They must realize that it may be a handicap to be influenced by anyone else in the life of this world. They must realize that they have been influenced by falsehoods due to lack of knowledge or sheer ignorance, and can correct themselves by abandoning these when they realize the truth. And indeed, all people must hope to be freed from errors, corrupt beliefs and ideas as long as they live. After death, however, blaming anyone else for the errors into which one fell will serve absolutely no purpose.
Every ideological movement opposed to reality and truth naturally has its own leaders and theoreticians, as is revealed by Allah in the Qur’an: “We made them leaders, summoning to the Fire, and on the Day of Rising they will not be helped.” (Surat al-Qasas, 41) Those who follow such leaders and thus come closer to denial have rejected with a terrible stubbornness and hatred the truths vouchsafed to them in this world. In the hereafter, they will curse the guides and leaders whom they followed, will want them to be punished in the very lowest pit of Hell, and will feel a sincere regret at not having followed along Allah’s path.
Their regret is described in these terms in the Qur’an:
They will say on the Day their faces are rolled over in the Fire, “If only we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!” And they will say, “Our Lord, we obeyed our masters and great men and they misguided us from the Way. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them many times over!” (Surat al-Ahzab, 66-68)
The only reason why some people still try to keep the theory of evolution alive is to keep alive materialism, a philosophy based on denial of Allah and His religion. Hitherto, people may have believed this lie, either through ignorance or through propaganda. But if they are honest, they must investigate the truth that such a dogma will result in humiliation in this world and in the hereafter, and must then act accordingly. If they are honorable and honest men of science and ideas, they must behave in a civilized and respectful way by saying, “We went along with a lie, as if we had been bewitched.” This should not humiliate them. On the contrary, it will be a means whereby they enjoy great esteem, both today and in the future.
Honesty and sincerity will receive a fine reward in this world and in the hereafter. Allah tells us that it is always possible to abandon denial, but that those who persist in it will suffer eternal punishment:
. . . except for those who repent and put things right and make things clear. I turn towards them. I am the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. But as for those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, the curse of Allah is upon them and that of the angels and all humanity. They will be under it for ever. The punishment will not be lightened for them. They will be granted no reprieve. (Surat al-Baqara, 160-162)
412 Michael J. Behe, Darwin's Black Box, New York: Free Press 1996, pp. 232-233.
413 Malcolm Muggeridge, The End of Christendom, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980, p. 43