Does Buddhism uphold/advocate the theory of Evolution [Nichirenism]?

Does Buddhism uphold and/or advocate the theory of Evolution, the theory of Charles Darwin? Does Buddhism believes that our ancestors were monkeys and apes? I as a Christian don't believe in Evolution, I can't believe this that my ancestors were apes and I am a MUTANT APE! If you tell a child that he or she is an animal, gradually they behave like animals! But, What Mahatma Gautama Buddha and his Dhamma say on this issue? Please help with a Nichiren Buddhist point of view.