Evolution has been observed by many people over many thousands of years - but they didn't have a scientific theory to describe it.
Any pagan theological musings about change in living systems no more supplants Darwin as the originator of the scientific theory that explains the phenomena than the Mayans tracking of astronomical objects supplants Newton as the originator of the scientific theory that explains it.
As is typical you cannot make an argument against a scientific theory without arguing against atheism - materialism - paganism - anything BUT science.
Acceptance of evolution doesn't imply or necessitate atheism, materialism or paganism.
Methodological naturalism is the basis of science - not philosophical naturalism. Such MUST be at the heart of science because only then is science of any actual USE.
If one uses supernatural causation to explain physical phenomena it is of absolutely no use - because such an action is not measurable, replicable, understandable or predictable.
Using natural causation to explain physical phenomena is the most productive method for gaining reliable and useful information about the physical world.
That is why science is of use, while creationism is useless.
So while you may suppose that you occupy the “high ground” -nothing of use is done up there - meanwhile down in the trenches in the muck and the “mire” of actual intellectual inquiry we seem to be eating your lunch, drinking your milkshake, and doing a lot of productive work.
“Evolution has been observed by many people over many thousands of years...”
At least you admit that evolution is in fact ancient, meaning pagan. But to say that people have observed it in action is utterly absurd since it has always been a spiritual concept, not a physical one.
Evolution refers to the movement of soul, divine spark, life, or consciousness over vast periods of time as it incarnates within many hundreds of different bodies. This concept is known today as macroevolution.
At the deepest level of all, evolutionary thinking operates as a religion that purportedly answers the Ultimate Questions. Thus it is understandable that you zealously protect and defend your nature religion, for such it is.