Creationism vs. Evolution?

Question

I have to write a 7 page essay for my Research Methods course. I have gathered all of my scholarly sources regarding the subject, and now I need some outside viewpoints. So, I would like to know how you feel about the following:

A) In your opinion, which is more logical?
B) Should Creationism be taught in public schools? Why or why not?
C) Can a Creationist also believe in Evolution?

I would really appreciate only serious inquiries, please. This is very important to me (and my grade!) and I value your input on the subject. Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Hello, On November 24, 1859, a man named Charles Darwin started a controversy that has lasted to present day. His work, entitled "Origin of Species", stated the possibility that humans were not created but evolved from natural processes. Although, he was not the first to express these ideas, Darwin's published theory was neither accepted nor appreciated by the religious community. Creationism, as believed in religion, assumes that the creation story in Genesis is accurate; that God created the universe and all life forms (lawyernet.com).

The term evolution basically translates to alterations through time. These changes are slow and are over a long interval of time. Evolution states that earth was created around 4.6 billion years ago; and that the universe is around 15 billion years old. Read the complete essay here:

Answer 2

A) Evolution is the more logical one. By logical, I don't mean "the one that I happen to already believe in". I mean it fits the evidence, it's internally consistent, and satisfies the requirements of science (in that it makes testable predictions and it's falsifiable). Creationists make a big show of pointing out flaws, holes, and other problems, but 100% of the time they're talking about questions that have already been answered, using old and outdated research, using a flawed/incomplete/straw-man version of the theory (rather than the theory itself), or flat-out lying. Consider Ray Comfort, who has been using the banana as "the evolutionist's worst nightmare" because it's perfectly suited for eating (it points towards the mouth and even has a "pull-tab" like a soda can). The argument has been thoroughly ripped to shreds (in part because modern food bananas have been specifically bred and are nothing like the wild versions), and now Mr Comfort is denying that he ever made the argument.



Of course, knocking down Creationist tactics does not a sound theory make. Evolution has to stand on its own - and it does. 150 years of research have confirmed the underlying theory time and time again, and also allowed us to fine-tune the small points. The link below has a lot of the real evidence (not the Creationist lies about what scientists supposedly believe in).



B) No. The establishment clause of the Constitution is very clear on this. Creationism is based on religious doctrine (of specific sect of Christianity) rather than evidence. Teaching Creationism in public schools would be the same as establishing an official state religion, which is, of course, illegal.



C) No. This isn't to say that faith and evolution can't co-exist. Creationism isn't a generic faith, but rather a very specific belief. It's the belief that we were created, as-is, as literally described in Genesis. There are some Creationists that believe that the concept of "days" is metaphorical, so that the universe was created over billions of years, and humans added in at the very end. There are others (young-earth Creationists) that believe that the universe was created in 6 literal days, and that it was 6000 years ago (a number obtained by adding up the ages of people in the Old Testament lineages). The young-earth Creationists occasionally try to square their beliefs with the evidence, and go through incredible mental gymnastics in the process (i.e. changing around radioactive decay rates, drastically changing the speed of light, proposing large floating mats of dead trees after the Flood that carried animals from Noah's ark all the way across the ocean to repopulate the Americas, etc). Since it's a very specific belief that we were created as-is, that necessarily excludes evolution, which is change over time.

Answer 3

A) In your opinion, which is more logical?



Evolution, hands down. The basics are very straightforward, and the evidence supporting common descent - though requiring much more investigation - are overwhelming.



Note that evolution vs Creationism is a flawed comparison because they don't attempt to explain all the same things. Evolution deals only with biological change; it does not deal with the origin of life (that's abiogenesis) nor the origin of the universe (that's cosmology) nor any other non-biological phenomenon (such as distance of the earth from the sun). More accurate is Creationism vs. Naturalism.







B) Should Creationism be taught in public schools? Why or why not?



Not in science class, for sure. Why? Because it is not science - in fact, it is strongly anti-science. Further, because it is religion.



I feel it could be taught in a philosophy or religion class as long as a wide sampliing other religious views are given equal time and presentation.



Those who think "both sides" - evolution and Creationism - should be presented in public schools are being ridiculous. Would they suggest that both sexual reproduction and the stork theory be taught? That both astronomy and astrology be taught? Creationism is scientifically refuted; it is long-outdated ancient mythology -- religion. It is not even in the same game as evolution or other science. It belongs in church - where fairy tales about imaginary, invisible superbeings, who violate all the laws of nature, are taught - not in schools where we are supposed to educate, not indoctrinate, our nation's children.







C) Can a Creationist also believe in Evolution?



Depends on the definition of "Creationist". Typically, the unqualified term pertains to a person who takes the Bible's Creation account, and the rest of the Bible, literally. In that case, no: evolution - and much other science (geology, astronomy, cosmology, paleontology, the physics of radioactive decay, etc.) - flat out refutes the Bible.



If someone uses the term "creationist" loosely -as in anyone who believes a creator, of some sort, created the universe, then yes. By that definition, people such as Kenneth Miller would be a "creationist", and he accepts evolution.

Answer 4

Sorry i cant answer in ABC form but heres how i feel on this subject.

Im not a strong believer in each, i believe both sides have a valid point. No im not an aeithist to those of you wondering. If god exists, or some kind of god like force, evolution could have been his/her way of maybe experimenting with living things. To your question if creationism should be taught in schools, no. There arent any proven facts to learn from it and there are many opinions scattered about it. Evolution has atleast some ground that can be sshown and proved. Most of it isnt fact yet but even if it isnt true, it shows students about the Scientific Method and how current paleontoligists look at there discoveries and how they get information from it. And yes creationists can believe in evolution like how i pointed out above. Maybe god was experimenting or setting things through trial. Thsi is a very iffy and dangerous topic, and if you make this report with great vocabulary and intellectual wording, even if you dont have real good information, i think you could get a pretty good grade.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I'm only seventeen and not exactly an expert on the subject, and I'm pretty ignorant, but here goes nothing.

A. Evolution is more logical. There's a reason different species have similar bone structure.

B. If Creationism is taught (in a science course, not a world literature course) in public schools, then other creation stories will need to be taught as well. The people who support teaching Creationism wouldn't be likely to agree with teaching creation stories from other religions/cultures.

C. I believe in Evolution but I also believe that a higher power set everything in motion; also, I don't take the Creation story literally.

Answer 6

In my opinion, evolution is the more logical explanation. It doesn't mean it's the right one, but I do feel that it makes more sense.



I think Creationism should be taught in schools, along with evolution and other theories. People should hear all the possibilities and decide for themselves what makes sense and what does not. Since there are a lot of theories, they should be covered in a more basic sense, without going too much into detail. If a student wishes to learn more about a theory, they should be interested enough to research it themselves.



Honestly, I do think it's possible for a Creationist to believe in Evolution. Of course, they would have to disagree with certain aspects of both theories to feel that both of them are at least on the right track.



Hopefully this helps!

Answer 7

A) Evolution, obviously. Creationists believe in the unbelievable and take pride in that.



B) Not in science class, as it's not science. Not as a competing theory, either - it's not a theory, but an untestable hypothesis.



C) If they're an old earth creationist, yes.



Edit: Evolution isn't to be confused with abiogenesis or the Big Bang. No evolutionist thinks humans evolved from monkeys.



Use Talk Origins if you haven't.

Answer 8

Try this book.

Intended to provide a basis for discussion, this book evaluates the evidence of modern science in relation to the debate between the atheistic and theistic interpretations of the universe. Written like a scientific detective story, this excellent introduction to the current debate grew out of the author's lengthy experience of lecturing and debating on the subject.



God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?

John Lennox



There is a lot of room between the radial atheist materialists on one side and the 6 day creationists on the other.

Answer 9

Evolution is a definite, but actually started things? that gets more complicated. Some believe that "god" pushed the first domino and let it start rolling/ Some real idiots believed he plopped us down on Earth looking just like him, and that dinosaurs never existed.

As far as teaching is school, if suppose its fair to teach creationism as well as evolution, and the rest is up to the parent. I think its a shame, but the constitution is the constitution.

Answer 10

I believe in Creation. I'm a practicing Christian and I believe creation is the more logical answer because it explains more than watch science today can explain. Creation should not be in public schools because there is more than one religon in this "free" country. It should be in public schools because it provides more moral stablitly and disciplne. Honestly I think it's one or the other, I don't think it is very logical for a creationist to believe in Evolution because in the Bible it states- "and God said; 'Let us make man in our own image.' "and unless God looks like a monkey I'm sticking with the word of God and what the Bible says.

Answer 11

Here is everything you need to know.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLRkV1-LMMs



The show is "Penn and Teller: Bull****"

Season 1, episode 8. All about creationism vs. evolution. Watch the whole thing.



I can't fit that much insight into an answer, so I just gave you the link.

Answer 12

a. evolution is obviously more logical. the point of creationism is faith. you don't need logic to have faith.

b. i think it should - we have freedom of religion, and children should be able to choose their religion on their own. even though i believe in creation, i don't mean that teachers should give their opinions on either subject - merely state the theories and what they consist of.

c. i am a creationist, and i believe in evolution. it's a fact that evolution does happen in some capacity. i just don't believe in it to that extent.

Answer 13

This is my personal opinion



A) Creationism I don't believe this Earth we live on is "one big accident."

B) no?

C) Yes I suppose, If your looking at how everything was created.