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Creation vs. evolution debate (view source)
Revision as of 10:47, November 5, 2022
, 10:47, November 5, 2022→Timeline of the creation vs evolution debate
The '''creation-evolution controversy''' is an ongoing dispute most prevalent in regions of the [[United States]]. While the controversy has a long history,<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=3-240}}</ref> today it primarily concerns what should be taught as [[science]] in [[public schools]], and what is good science.<ref>{{hnb|Peters & Hewlett|2005|Ref=CITEREFPetersHewlett2005|p=1}}</ref> In the United States, the teaching of [[biology|biological]] [[Theory of evolution|evolution]] in the public schools is a significant area of contention, while the teaching of alternatives such as [[creation science]] and [[intelligent design]] are other aspects of the dispute.
The '''Creation vs. Evolution debate''' is an ongoing dispute most prevalent in regions of the [[United States]].
It concerns the question of how man, as well as animals and plants, came to exist in their present form; whether they were created as they currently are by the [[intelligent design]] of a Creator, or they [[evolution|evolved]] though [[natural selection]] from primitive lifeforms. Believers in Evolutionism usually support other [[atheist]] theories concerning the origin of the [[universe]], [[Earth]], and [[life]].
In the first case, [[evolutionists]] argue that Creation Science and intelligent design should not be taught in the public schools because it is fundamentally [[religion|religious]] in nature and not science. Evolutionists claim they are thinly-disguised schemes to introduce religion to the classroom. In the United States, recent court decisions have affirmed this position, consistently barring the introduction of Creation Science and intelligent design into public science curricula.
The [[creation]] vs. [[evolution]] debate has a long history,<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=3-240}}</ref> and today is carried out in the [[mass media]], churches, and the [[Internet]]. A major focus of the debate concerns what should be taught as [[science]] in [[public schools]].<ref>{{hnb|Peters & Hewlett|2005|Ref=CITEREFPetersHewlett2005|p=1}}</ref>
== The debate ==
Although the debate ostensibly focuses on the origin of living things (i.e. did they evolve from other living things or were they separately created), the debate also encompasses related issues such as the origins of the universe, galaxies, stars, the solar system, Earth, the geologic record, and life itself.
In the United States, the teaching of [[biology|biological]] [[Theory of evolution|evolution]] in the public schools is a significant area of contention, while the teaching of alternatives such as [[creation science]] and [[intelligent design]] are other aspects of the dispute, although the leading creationist and Intelligent Design organisations oppose efforts to make creation or Intelligent Design a compulsory part of school curricula.<ref>{{hnb|See, for example, Sarfati|2008}}</ref>
In the first case, [[evolutionists]] argue that Creation Science and intelligent design should not be taught in the public schools because they are fundamentally [[religion|religious]] in nature and not science. Evolutionists claim they are thinly-disguised schemes to introduce religion to the classroom.
Creationists argue that evolution is anti-theist [[ideology]] dressed up as science,<ref>{{hnb|Hayward|1998|p=2}}</ref> and that religion, in the form of [[Secular Humanism]], is already in the classroom.
Creationists argue that evolution is anti-theist [[ideology]] dressed up as science,<ref>{{hnb|Hayward|1998|p=2}}</ref> and that religion, in the form of [[Secular Humanism]], is already in the classroom.
In the United States, various court decisions have concluded that religious views of creation cannot be taught in schools, and a recent court decision concluded that Intelligent Design proponents have a religious motive, and therefore barred the introduction of intelligent design into public science curricula.
However, the court failed to consider whether or not proponents of evolution have a religious motive.
===Creation/evolution controversy in the age of Darwin===
Evolution does hold ground in the observations we can all make around us. One example of micro-evolution occurring everyday is the mutation of bacteria. Following the principle of Occam's razor, evolution is the most logical conclusion, as compared to a god or deity controlling every mutation occurring every day.
== History of the creation vs. evolution debate ==
=== Before Darwin ===
Even before evolution itself became a subject of widespread debate, the creationary view was already under attack from the new field of geology.
People such as [[James Hutton]] and [[Charles Lyell]] promoted a model of geology which was at odds with the biblical account.
These men proposed what has become known as "[[uniformitarianism]]", a view that the geological record can be explained in terms of what we see happening today.
By doing so, they ruled out the biblical account by fiat, as they rejected that geological formations could have been caused by catastrophic events such as [[Great Flood|Noah's flood]].
===Creation vs. evolution debate in the age of Darwin===
The creation-evolution controversy has a long history, beginning with challenges made by various [[Darwin]]ian promoters to [[Bible|biblical]] accounts of creation. In response to theories promulgated by outspoken proponents of these theories, such as "Darwin's Bulldog" [[Thomas Henry Huxley]], some religious persons and organizations questioned the legitimacy of scientific ideas that were being used to call into question the veracity of the creation account in [[Genesis]].
The creation-evolution controversy has a long history, beginning with challenges made by various [[Darwin]]ian promoters to [[Bible|biblical]] accounts of creation. In response to theories promulgated by outspoken proponents of these theories, such as "Darwin's Bulldog" [[Thomas Henry Huxley]], some religious persons and organizations questioned the legitimacy of scientific ideas that were being used to call into question the veracity of the creation account in [[Genesis]].
The controversy was fueled by one of Darwin's most vigorous promoters, Thomas Henry Huxley, who opined that Christianity is "a compound of some of the best and some of the worst elements of [[Paganism]] and [[Judaism]], moulded in practice by the innate character of certain people of the Western World".<ref>{{hnb|Burns, Ralph, Lerner, & Standish|1982|Ref=CITEREFBurnsRalphLernerStandish1982|p=965}}, {{hnb|Huxley|1902}}</ref> Perhaps the most uncompromising of the evolutionary philosophers was the [[Germany|German]], [[Ernst Heinrick Haeckel]], a [[professor]] of biology, who dogmatically affirmed that nothing spiritual exists.<ref>{{hnb|Burns, Ralph, Lerner, & Standish|1982|Ref=CITEREFBurnsRalphLernerStandish1982|p=965}}</ref>
The controversy was fueled by one of Darwin's most vigorous promoters, Thomas Henry Huxley, who opined that Christianity is "a compound of some of the best and some of the worst elements of [[Paganism]] and [[Judaism]], moulded in practice by the innate character of certain people of the Western World".<ref>{{hnb|Burns, Ralph, Lerner, & Standish|1982|Ref=CITEREFBurnsRalphLernerStandish1982|p=965}}, {{hnb|Huxley|1902}}</ref> Perhaps the most uncompromising of the evolutionary philosophers was the [[Germany|German]], [[Ernst Heinrick Haeckel]], a [[professor]] of biology, who dogmatically affirmed that nothing spiritual exists.<ref>{{hnb|Burns, Ralph, Lerner, & Standish|1982|Ref=CITEREFBurnsRalphLernerStandish1982|p=965}}</ref>
A watershed in the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] objections to evolution occurred after about 1875.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> Previously, citing [[Louis Agassiz]] and other scientific luminaries, Protestant contributors to religious quarterlies dismissed Darwin's theories as unscientific.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> After 1875, it became clear that the majority of naturalists embraced evolution, and a sizable minority of these Protestant contributors rejected Darwin's theory because it called into question the veracity of [Scripture]]s.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> Even so, virtually none of these dissenters insisted on a young Earth.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=14}}</ref>
A watershed in the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] objections to evolution occurred after about 1875.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> Previously, citing [[Louis Agassiz]] and other scientific luminaries, Protestant contributors to religious quarterlies dismissed Darwin's theories as unscientific.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> After 1875, it became clear that the majority of naturalists embraced evolution, and a sizable minority of these Protestant contributors rejected Darwin's theory because it called into question the veracity of [[Scripture]]s.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=13}}</ref> Even so, virtually none of these dissenters insisted on a young Earth, as that position had already been ceded.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=14}}</ref>
The greatest concern for creationists at the turn of the [[twentieth century]] was the issue of human ancestry.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=15}}</ref>
The greatest concern for creationists at the turn of the [[twentieth century]] was the issue of human ancestry.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=15}}</ref>
=== Institute for Creation Research ===
=== Institute for Creation Research ===
[[Henry Morris]] and [[John C. Whitcomb]] Jr.'s influential ''[[The Genesis Flood (book)|The Genesis Flood]]'', which argued that creation was literally six days long, humans lived concurrently with [[dinosaur]]s, and that [[God]] created each kind of life, was published in 1961.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255}},{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=xi,200-208}}</ref> With publication, Morris became a popular speaker, spreading anti-evolutionary ideas at [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] churches, colleges, and conferences.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255}}</ref> Morris setup up the [[Creation Science Research Center]] (CSRC), an organization dominated by [[Baptist]]s, as an adjunct to the [[Christian Heritage College]].<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284}}</ref> The CSRC rushed publication of biology text books that promoted creationism, and also published other books such as [[Kelly Segrave]]'s sensational ''Sons of God Return'' that dealt with UFOlogy, [[flood geology]], and demonology.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284-285}}</ref> These efforts were against the recommendations of Morris, who urged a more cautious and scientific approach.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284}}</ref> Ultimately, the CSRC broke up, and Morris founded the [[ICR|Institute for Creation Research]]. Morris promised that the ICR, unlike the CSRC, would be controlled and operated by scientists.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=286}}</ref>. During this time, Morris and others who supported flood geology adopted the terms ''scientific creationism'' and ''creation science''.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255-256}}</ref> The flood geologists effectively co-opted "the generic creationist label for their hyperliteralist views".<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=254-255}}, {{hnb|Numbers|1998|p=5-6}}</ref> Previously, ''Creationism'' was a generic term describing a philosophical perspective that presupposed the existence of God.<ref>{{hnb|Hayward|1998|p=11}}</ref>
[[Henry Morris]] and [[John C. Whitcomb]] Jr.'s influential ''[[The Genesis Flood (book)|The Genesis Flood]]'', which argued that creation was literally six days long, humans lived concurrently with [[dinosaur]]s, and that [[God]] created each kind of life, was published in 1961.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255}},{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=xi,200-208}}</ref> With publication, Morris became a popular speaker, spreading anti-evolutionary ideas at [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] churches, colleges, and conferences.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255}}</ref> Morris setup up the [[Creation Science Research Center]] (CSRC), an organization dominated by [[Baptist]]s, as an adjunct to the [[Christian Heritage College]].<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284}}</ref> The CSRC rushed publication of biology text books that promoted creationism, and also published other books such as [[Kelly Segrave]]'s sensational ''Sons of God Return'' that dealt with UFOlogy, [[flood geology]], and demonology.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284-285}}</ref> These efforts were against the recommendations of Morris, who urged a more cautious and scientific approach.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=284}}</ref> Ultimately, the CSRC broke up, and Morris founded the [[ICR|Institute for Creation Research]]. Morris promised that the ICR, unlike the CSRC, would be controlled and operated by scientists.<ref>{{hnb|Numbers|1992|p=286}}</ref> During this time, Morris and others who supported flood geology adopted the terms ''scientific creationism'' and ''creation science''.<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=255-256}}</ref> The flood geologists effectively co-opted "the generic creationist label for their hyperliteralist views".<ref>{{hnb|Larson|2004|p=254-255}}, {{hnb|Numbers|1998|p=5-6}}</ref> Previously, ''Creationism'' was a generic term describing a philosophical perspective that presupposed the existence of God.<ref>{{hnb|Hayward|1998|p=11}}</ref>
==The current controversy==
==The current creation vs. evolution debate==
=== Smithsonian-Sternberg affair ===
=== Smithsonian-Sternberg affair ===
* 2005 '''Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District''': Ruled that [[intelligent design]] was religious in nature and therefore could not be taught in the public schools in Dover [[Pennsylvania]].
* 2005 '''Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District''': Ruled that [[intelligent design]] was religious in nature and therefore could not be taught in the public schools in Dover [[Pennsylvania]].
== Timeline of the Creation/evolution controversy ==
== Timeline of the creation vs evolution debate ==
* 1859 - Charles Darwin published ''[[The Origin of Species]]'' regarding the theory of evolution. The theory's most radical tenet, "[[natural selection]]," attempted to replace the generally accepted idea of [[baraminology|Created Kinds]].
* 1859 - Charles Darwin published ''[[The Origin of Species]]'' regarding the theory of evolution. The theory's most radical tenet, "[[natural selection]]," attempted to replace the generally accepted idea of [[baraminology|Created Kinds]].
* 1860 - Liberal theologians published ''Essays and Reviews'' supporting Darwin. A debate of Darwin's theory was arranged at the [[Oxford]] Museum, with "Darwin's bulldog" Thomas Huxley among its defenders and [[Samuel Wilberforce]], the Bishop of Oxford leading its critics.
* 1860 - Liberal theologians published ''Essays and Reviews'' supporting Darwin. A debate of Darwin's theory was arranged at the [[Oxford]] Museum, with "Darwin's bulldog" Thomas Huxley among its defenders and [[Samuel Wilberforce]], the Bishop of Oxford leading its critics.
* 1958 - The federally-supported [[National Science Foundation]] started the [http://www.bscs.org/ Biological Sciences Curriculum Study] publishes textbooks which emphasize evolution as an organizing principle.
* 1958 - The federally-supported [[National Science Foundation]] started the [http://www.bscs.org/ Biological Sciences Curriculum Study] publishes textbooks which emphasize evolution as an organizing principle.
* 1961 - ''The Genesis Flood'' by Henry Morris and John C. Whitcomb, Jr. reinvigorated the creationist movement.
* 1961 - ''The Genesis Flood'' by Henry Morris and John C. Whitcomb, Jr. reinvigorated the creationist movement.
* 1968 - A U.S. Supreme Court issues its [[Epperson v. Arkansas]] decision repealing laws that prohibited the teaching of evolution and required the teaching of a creationism on the grounds that it violated the the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
* 1968 - A U.S. Supreme Court issues its [[Epperson v. Arkansas]] decision repealing laws that prohibited the teaching of evolution and required the teaching of a creationism on the grounds that it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
* 1974 - [[Karl Popper]] classifies Darwin's theory of evolution as a metaphysical research program.<ref>{{hnb|Popper|1974}} as reprinted in {{hnb|Balashov & Rosenberg|Ref=CITEREFBalashovRosenberg2002|p=302}}, see [http://books.google.com/books?id=tAkXVaNq5GAC&pg=PA302&lpg=PA302&dq=popper+metaphysical+research&source=web&ots=0nhuwofKbm&sig=XCjz0MaNM1F7ai7Ek2aO03HkTOg Facsimile on Google books]</ref>
* 1974 - [[Karl Popper]] classifies Darwin's theory of evolution as a metaphysical research program.<ref>{{hnb|Popper|1974}} as reprinted in {{hnb|Balashov & Rosenberg|Ref=CITEREFBalashovRosenberg2002|p=302}}, see [https://books.google.com/books?id=tAkXVaNq5GAC&pg=PA302&lpg=PA302&dq=popper+metaphysical+research&source=web&ots=0nhuwofKbm&sig=XCjz0MaNM1F7ai7Ek2aO03HkTOg Facsimile on Google books]</ref>
* 2004 - Intelligent Design researcher Stephen C. Meyer publishes a paper, ''The Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories'' in the peer-reviewed journal ''Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington'', leading to the [[Smithsonian-Sternberg affair]]
* 2004 - Intelligent Design researcher Stephen C. Meyer publishes a paper, ''The Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories'' in the peer-reviewed journal ''Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington'', leading to the [[Smithsonian-Sternberg affair]]
* 2005 - U.S. Representative Mark Souder's office issues a report concurring with the U.S. Office of Special Council's conclusion that Richard Sternberg was subjected to a hostile work environment at the Smithsonian Institution in retaliation for his role in publishing Stephen C. Meyer's paper. See [[Smithsonian-Sternberg affair]].
* 2005 - U.S. Representative Mark Souder's office issues a report concurring with the U.S. Office of Special Council's conclusion that Richard Sternberg was subjected to a hostile work environment at the Smithsonian Institution in retaliation for his role in publishing Stephen C. Meyer's paper. See [[Smithsonian-Sternberg affair]].
* 2007 - [[Pope Benedict XVI]] publishes ''Creation and Evolution'', where he writes "[It] is also true that the theory of evolution is not a complete, scientifically proven theory."<ref>Creation and Evolution, Pope Benedict XVI, 2007, Sankt Ulrich Publishing. See also [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070411/ap_on_re_eu/pope_evolution;_ylt=A0WTUejOaB1G9GUBBgKs0NUE]</ref>
* 2007 - [[Pope Benedict XVI]] publishes ''Creation and Evolution'', where he writes "[It] is also true that the theory of evolution is not a complete, scientifically proven theory."<ref>Creation and Evolution, Pope Benedict XVI, 2007, Sankt Ulrich Publishing. See also [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070411/ap_on_re_eu/pope_evolution;_ylt=A0WTUejOaB1G9GUBBgKs0NUE]</ref>
* 2008 - [[Ben Stein]] releases the documentary ''Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed'' which exposes the suppression of [[intelligent design]] in the classroom by evolutionist establishment.
* 2008 - [[Ben Stein]] releases the documentary ''Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed'' which exposes the suppression of [[intelligent design]] in the classroom by evolutionist establishment.
*2017 - The documentary ''Is Genesis History?'' is released which features experts and scientists who try to connect the history of the world to the records of [[Genesis]].<ref>https://www.fathomevents.com/events/is-genesis-history</ref>
== See also ==
*[[Revolution Against Evolution website]]
==References==
==References==
| Publisher = Scribner, Armstrong, and Company
| Publisher = Scribner, Armstrong, and Company
| ID = ASIN B0006AEEMO
| ID = ASIN B0006AEEMO
| URL = http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19192/19192-8.txt
| URL = https://www.gutenberg.org/files/19192/19192-8.txt
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
*{{Harvard reference
*{{Harvard reference
| Volume = V
| Volume = V
| Pages = 126-159
| Pages = 126-159
| URL = http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15905/15905-8.txt
| URL = https://www.gutenberg.org/files/15905/15905-8.txt
| Publisher = Kessinger Publishing
| Publisher = Kessinger Publishing
| ID = ISBN 978-1417973729 }} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
| ID = ISBN 978-1417973729 }} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
| Title = Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley
| Title = Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley
| Volume = 1
| Volume = 1
| URL = http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5084
| URL = https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5084
| Publisher = Ams Pr Inc
| Publisher = Ams Pr Inc
| ID = ISBN 0404149804 }} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
| ID = ISBN 0404149804 }} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
| Title = Back to Genesis: How Not to Defend Evolution
| Title = Back to Genesis: How Not to Defend Evolution
| Publisher = Institute for Creation Research
| Publisher = Institute for Creation Research
| URL = http://www.icr.org/pdf/btg/btg-153.pdf
| URL = https://www.icr.org/pdf/btg/btg-153.pdf
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
*{{Harvard reference
*{{Harvard reference
| Volume = 103
| Volume = 103
| Publisher = Institute for Creation Research
| Publisher = Institute for Creation Research
| URL = http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=185
| URL = https://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=185
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
*{{Harvard reference
*{{Harvard reference
| Title = The Evolution Controversy: Who's Fighting with Whom about What?
| Title = The Evolution Controversy: Who's Fighting with Whom about What?
| Publisher = Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
| Publisher = Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
| URL = http://www.plts.edu/docs/EvolutionBrief2.pdf
| URL = http://www.plts.edu/docs/ite_evol_fighting.pdf
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
}} Retrieved on 2007-05-08
*{{Harvard reference
*{{Harvard reference
| Publisher = Open Court Publishing Co.
| Publisher = Open Court Publishing Co.
| ID= ISBN 0-87548-366-6
| ID= ISBN 0-87548-366-6
}}
*{{Harvard reference
| Surname = Sarfati
| Given= Jonathan
| Authorlink= Jonathan Sarfati
| Year= 2008
| Title = Creation and Evolutionism
| Publisher = Creation Ministries International
| URL = https://creation.com/science-creation-and-evolutionism-refutation-of-nas#public Science
}}
}}
*{{Harvard reference
*{{Harvard reference
[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:Evolution]]
[[Category:Origins Debate]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]