Difference between revisions of "Origins debate"
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==Major views== | ==Major views== | ||
| − | 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, i.e. that our creation happened due to natural circumstances, have also been put forth in this debate, some as early as [[ancient Greece]]. |
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. | 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. | ||
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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 the materialist views and the [[Creationism|Creationist]] views. | + | There is considerable debate over whether there is any viable middle ground between the materialist views and the [[Creationism|Creationist]] views. Some would hold, though, that a via media could be found if both sides recognized how miraculous any theory of creation is, whether it is perfect conditions for development or a Prime Mover such as God. |
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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> | 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> | ||
Revision as of 16:16, April 19, 2007
The origins debate is the age-old conflict of ideas about how human beings appeared on the Earth, how the various kinds of animals and plants came into being, and how the Earth itself came into being.
Major views
Most people throughout history have ascribed origins to a First Cause - God or various gods. Materialist views, i.e. that our creation happened due to natural circumstances, have also been put forth in this debate, some as early as ancient Greece.
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. 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 the materialist views and the Creationist views. Some would hold, though, that a via media could be found if both sides recognized how miraculous any theory of creation is, whether it is perfect conditions for development or a Prime Mover such as God.
Gallop polls show that one third of Americans believe that human beings "evolved" in a process guided by God. [1]
