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Evolution and creation (view source)
Revision as of 16:12, January 12, 2008
, 16:12, January 12, 2008a comprehensive comparison of the 3 main points of view
The [[theory of evolution]] and the two main doctrines of [[Creationism]] address three major aspects of the [[origins debate]]. About 15% of American adults are [[evolutionists]], 40% are [[Old Earth creationists]], and 45% are [[Young Earth creationists]].
==The fossil record==
Evolutionists regard [[fossil]]s as indicating the place and time when various species of life came into being, and when some of them went extinct. Geologists and biologists say that fossils indicate a record of forms of life coming into being over a period of hundreds of millions of years.
Old Earth creationists agree with evolutionists about the meaning of the fossil record.
It is only Young Earth creationists who deny the authenticity of the fossil record, mainly on Biblical grounds. The earth is less than 10,000 years old, so the fossils must also be less than 10,000 years old.
==Why new forms of life appeared==
Evolutionists say that physical causes (such as [[mutation]]) can alter the [[genetic]] material in the member of a species. These changes are passed on to the member's descendants, unless they are detrimental (see [[natural selection]]). If enough of these changes accumulate, completely new species come into being. Every species of life descended from other species, all the way back to one-celled organisms. Natural causes alone are sufficient to account for the emergence of all forms of life.
Old Earth creationists agree with evolutionists about mutations being caused by physical phenomena such as [[cosmic rays]]; and about genetic change being passed on to descendants (see [[microevolution]]). Not all accept [[common descent]], especially in regards to [[people]]. They also disagree about the sufficiency of natural causes: God must have intervened to make all major changes (see [[macroevolution]], [[missing link]]).
Young Earth creationists agree only about genetic changes within a species, such as the breeds of horses or dogs or cats, which they call "microevolution". They reject common descent. They believe that all species were created by [[God]] less than 10,000 years ago.
==The fossil record==
Evolutionists regard [[fossil]]s as indicating the place and time when various species of life came into being, and when some of them went extinct. Geologists and biologists say that fossils indicate a record of forms of life coming into being over a period of hundreds of millions of years.
Old Earth creationists agree with evolutionists about the meaning of the fossil record.
It is only Young Earth creationists who deny the authenticity of the fossil record, mainly on Biblical grounds. The earth is less than 10,000 years old, so the fossils must also be less than 10,000 years old.
==Why new forms of life appeared==
Evolutionists say that physical causes (such as [[mutation]]) can alter the [[genetic]] material in the member of a species. These changes are passed on to the member's descendants, unless they are detrimental (see [[natural selection]]). If enough of these changes accumulate, completely new species come into being. Every species of life descended from other species, all the way back to one-celled organisms. Natural causes alone are sufficient to account for the emergence of all forms of life.
Old Earth creationists agree with evolutionists about mutations being caused by physical phenomena such as [[cosmic rays]]; and about genetic change being passed on to descendants (see [[microevolution]]). Not all accept [[common descent]], especially in regards to [[people]]. They also disagree about the sufficiency of natural causes: God must have intervened to make all major changes (see [[macroevolution]], [[missing link]]).
Young Earth creationists agree only about genetic changes within a species, such as the breeds of horses or dogs or cats, which they call "microevolution". They reject common descent. They believe that all species were created by [[God]] less than 10,000 years ago.