Changes

The '''definition of evolution''' is itself part of the controversy over evolution.  Several different meanings have been and still are used.  Creationists charge that evolutionists often equivocate between different meanings<ref>See, for example, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2891#Definitions Definitions as slippery as eels] in ''Who’s really pushing ‘bad science’?'', by Jonathan Sarfati.</ref>, while evolutionists acknowledge that not clearly defining the term leads to confusion.<ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution?] by Laurence Moran.</ref>

The '''definition of evolution''' is itself part of the controversy over evolution.  Several different meanings have been and still are used.  Creationists charge that evolutionists often equivocate between different meanings<ref>See, for example, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2891#Definitions Definitions as slippery as eels] in ''Who’s really pushing ‘bad science’?'', by Jonathan Sarfati.</ref>, while evolutionists acknowledge that not clearly defining the term leads to confusion.<ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution?] by Laurence Moran.</ref>

* '''Change in the history of the universe.'''  This includes biological change, and non-biological change, such as galaxy formation.  Evolutionist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975) said, "Evolution comprises all the stages of the development of the universe: the cosmic, biological, and human or cultural developments. Attempts to restrict the concept of evolution to biology are gratuitous."<ref>Quoted by Stephen E. Jones at  [http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/evolut01.html http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/evolut01.html]</ref>

* '''Change in the history of the universe.'''  This includes biological change, and non-biological change, such as galaxy formation.  Evolutionist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975) said, "Evolution comprises all the stages of the development of the universe: the cosmic, biological, and human or cultural developments. Attempts to restrict the concept of evolution to biology are gratuitous."<ref>Quoted by Stephen E. Jones at  [http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/evolut01.html http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/evolut01.html]</ref>

* '''Universal common ancestor.''' This is the idea that there is some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended.

* '''Universal common ancestor.''' This is the idea that there is some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended.

When evolution is defined simply as "the gradual appearance of new forms of life" over geological time, then 55% of Americans agree with [[biologists]] and [[geologists]] that evolution has really occurred. Disagreement on this point comes mainly from [[Young Earth Creationists]].

When evolution is defined simply as "the gradual appearance of new forms of life" over geological time, then 55% of Americans agree with [[biologists]] and [[geologists]] that evolution has really occurred. Disagreement on this point comes mainly from [[Young Earth Creationists]].