Naturalistic abiogenesis is a hypothesis just like its only alternative, supernatural abiogenesis (creationism). You might call it axiomatic to say that one of those two must be correct for lack of a third possibility.
No, abiogenesis is axiomatic because it’s considered as true (the only option) independent of any evidence. The notion that one of two must be correct is a false dichotomy. Other options may be possible (such as panspermia).
The fact that the chain connecting the evolution of simple molecules to living cells is incomplete only means that there is more work to do.
Only if you consider abiogenesis as an axiom, otherwise the lack of evidence can very well point to the fact that the hypothesis is false.
Also “incomplete” is really some wishful thinking, there is no evidence that nucleotides, nucleic acids or self-replication exist in "nature" outside the living cell, neither under prebiotic conditions nor today. Evidence for the assumed “chain" is really more like "non-existent". We discussed that on this thread many times. See #1850 and the link below.
Chemistry of Abiotic Nucleotide Synthesis | Chemical Reviews (acs.org)
Darwin's Illusion | Page 93 | Religious Forums
The theory of evolution is correct beyond reasonable doubt, and there is no crisis in the science as you imply,
I provide evidence, you provide “wishful thinking” and no, there is no crisis in the science. There are advancements that disproved the modern synthesis. The only crisis is for those who dwell in the past and fail to understand that science is ever changing. See #4087
Darwin's Illusion | Page 205 | Religious Forums
How would all of that evidence then be understood?
Simply follow the evidence where it leads not where you want it to be.
The change process is controlled by the cell machinery. The adaptation process is an intelligent response to environmental pressures; it emerges through directed mutations never through random evolution.
Adaptation/microevolution never leads to macroevolution.
There is no known barrier to creating new species using artificial selection.
Artificial selection may produce variations of species with specific/favorable phenotypic traits otherwise there will be reproductive barriers that prevent the creation of new species.
Yes, I'm aware that the brain can be thought of as a medium for consciousness rather than a source for it. The TV metaphor might not be apt, as one cannot interact with the demonstrated phenomena as he can with the phenomena of consciousness, because as the "tele-" of television implies, the events are remote, and this require some type of broadcasting to be received by the television. The brain might be more of a record player generating phenomena than a radio receiving them.
Yes, this is the point. Even so affecting the medium causes alterations of consciousness but it doesn’t mean that the medium and the source are the same.
Your phone can capture/save photos and sounds but it’s not possible for your phone to have qualia. Qualia is only possible within consciousness.
Interactions of matter don’t give rise to consciousness. Beyond consciousness there is no qualia of any kind. The materialistic realm doesn’t support qualia. Beyond consciousness there is no photos or sounds, there is no colors, light or dark, there is no music, there is only waves, lots of waves of varying length/frequency/strength vibrating in every direction, that’s it.