Changes

Most people throughout history have ascribed origins to a First Cause - [[God]] or various [[gods]]. Materialist views have also been put forth, some as early as [[ancient Greece]].  

Most people throughout history have ascribed origins to a First Cause - [[God]] or various [[gods]]. Materialist views have also been put forth, some as early as [[ancient Greece]].  

Judaism and Christianity simply posit that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Then He created plants (Genesis 1:11-13), animals (Genesis 1:20-23), and finally people (Genesis 1:26-27). Other major religions have similar creation stories.

Judaism and Christianity posit that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Then He created plants (Genesis 1:11-13), animals (Genesis 1:20-23), and finally people (Genesis 1:26-27). Other major religions have similar creation stories.

Materialistic views are many and various.

[[Materialism|Materialistic]] views are many and various.

The prevailing views in modern science (i.e., astronomy, geology and biology) employ the [[Big Bang]] theory to explain cosmic origins and the [[Theory of Evolution]] to explain the emergence of plants, animals and people.  

The prevailing views in modern [[science]] (i.e., [[astronomy]], [[geology]] and [[biology]]) employ the [[Big Bang]] theory to explain cosmic origins and the [[Theory of Evolution]] to explain the emergence of plants, animals and people.  

There is considerable debate over whether there is any viable middle ground between

There is considerable debate over whether there is any viable middle ground between the materialist views and the [[Creationism|Creationist]] views.

the materialist views and the Creationist views. Gallop polls show that one third of Americans believe that human beings "evolved" in a process guided by God. <ref> This statement is one of 3 presented in a survey: "Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process" Thirty-seven percent agreed with it. [http://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/current/creation/evol-poll.htm] </ref>

Gallop polls show that one third of Americans believe that human beings "evolved" in a process guided by God. <ref> This statement is one of three presented in a survey: "Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process" Thirty-seven percent agreed with it. [http://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/current/creation/evol-poll.htm] </ref>

==Notes==

==Notes==