Evolution, Creationism, both, neither or something else??

Question

Personally I'm pulling for evolution but I would like to see where other people stand and why.

I stand for evolution because there is some proof, and a fossil record. After taking a college biology course it becomes impossible to be a rational person and to deny the evidence.

In advance, if you are just going to ramble about how there is no evidence of evolution, you are wrong. I'm usually a master keeping my questions neutral (when I want to) but saying that there is no proof for evolution is just stupid.

I don't care how you feel about the side that you don't agree with. I just want to hear what you believe should be taught in schools and why.

Answer 1

Evolution should be taught in two parts.

The FACT that species are related and change over time, and the THEORY as to why they change. Currently, most confuse the two and call both theories, or both facts.

Creationism is purely religious -- perfectly fine in private schools or at home or church, but constitutionally prohibited (in the US) in public schools.

Open and frank discussion of the possibility that something -- some higher power, some extraterrestrial influence -- might have have an impact is fine -- that's presenting a possible option but not saying we know for sure either way.

Answer 2

Evolution is the only theory that should be taught in school. And just because it is a theory doesn't mean it's not true. That's weak evidence used by those who don't want to look at the hard evidence that evolution is correct. Africans have darker skin to protect them from the suns UV rays. Eskimos have shorter limbs to keep the blood flowing through them more efficiently, asians have an extra flap of skin over their eyes which produces the "slanted" shape. This was to protect their eyes from the reflection of the sun off of the snow. All signs of adaptation to ones environment which is what evolution states in its theory. Creationism is a nice story, but God didn't make the Earth in six days and rest on the seventh. Where and when did dinosaurs come into play? Fossils prove that they existed and that man didn't exist at the same time as dinosaurs. Perhaps the "days" are equivalent to a certain period of time. God creating the Earth in six days is a metaphor at best as is much of the Bible. And there's nothing wrong with that. The truth is that no one really knows how or why we're here. Maybe religions just seek to give people a purpose in their lives, to give us moral direction and something greater than themselves in which to believe.

Answer 3

There is nothing scientific about Creationism. It's based on a book some people consider to be a sacred record of the facts of the creation of the Universe.

The scientific method is the only method we should be using to determine if a theory should be taught in school when it's about scientific matters. Creationism is impossible to prove. You can make logical inferences to it by conundrum, but you can also do that arguing against Creation.

At least Evolution is firmly founded in the scientific method. It might not be 100% accurate (what theory ever is), but when time and time again natural phenomena are tested and show that Evolution is very, very accurate, you have to go with that.

Besides, they are not exclusive of one another. It's possible that the Creator, whoever he is, created the building blocks of life and then let Nature take it's course as it would. It is not inconceivable to think that a Creator created us to continually self-improve by the means of Evolution.

It's a self-defeating argument to say that Evolution or Creationism is wrong. Neither can prove the other wrong. One answers HOW. The other answers WHY.

No conflict in my head. Evolution is all that should be taught in schools, as it assumes no religious overtones at all, and it's scientific.

Answer 4

I don't see a conflict between evolution and creationism. The question can be asked: Who created the process of evolution? Who set off the big bang? An intelligent person can find that God is the answer to these questions. Quite simply, evolution and the big bang are God's handy work.

Answer 5

Since evolution is the only scientific theory out there for how homo sapien came to be, that is the only theory for our origins that should be taught in science classes in public schools. Every other belief is a matter of religious faith, which does not belong in a science class.

Now, to be honest, I don't assume to understand either: a) the nature of a being that can create a Universe, or b) the changes that an organism can undergo over the course of hundreds of millions of years, so I will not claim to know for certain how God put us here.

But that's a matter of personal faith, which has no place in the teaching of how scientific theories are used to explain the nature of the universe around us.

Answer 6

I have no idea why this is a debate. Evolution is one of the most viable theories in all of science, we have an overwhelming amount evidence, studies and carbon dating that prove that evolution exists. The probblem with evolution VS God is the fact that you cannot prove or disprove religion, its a matter of faith. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is. Why can't Christians just say "Ok, evolution happens, and continutes to happen, but God set it in motion long , long , long ago." ? What the hell is wrong with that. What if evolution is just how it happens, and not why it happens? As far as what should be taught in school, its very simple. Evolution should be taught just as it is now, The Theory of Evolution, religion should be cited as well, but not as fact, but rather as a belief system. Does that mean that we should teach kids to be Christians in school? F*(k No! We should teach however the ideas behind the religions of the world without endorsing any single religion itself. Its called the seperation of Church and State. If people want to be religious and want their children to do the same, fine, go to church. If you don't want to be religious, then stay out of church, its that simple. As far as all of the other crap like the 10 commandments being posted and "one nation under God" and all of that other bullsh*t, I think we just need to relax a little bit. I'm not exactly a religious person, but seeing and hearing that stuff doesn't bother me at all, and it shouldn't bother anyone else either.

-J.

Answer 7

Evolution has a natural, believable explanation. Creationism does not, it just "happened" because "God decided it would". Still, evolution doesn't explain how or why it started in great detail and there's nothing preventing the two from being compatible. Even Intelligent Design doesn't replace Evolution because ID and Evolution are compatible.

It is curious that nearly every culture and religion has a creation myth similar to Adam and Eve, but applied to the given culture / religion.

Answer 8

I am a Catholic, and a firm believer in God. That being said, I want my daughter to learn about evolution and the big bang in her science class. Why? Because God and science are not mutually exclusive.

So what if there was a big bang, could God not have created the universe in that way? If God didn't do it, scientists actually have a REAL problem. Science states that matter cannot be created nor destroyed, it only changes form. Thus, in a finite universe, the matter had to originate from somewhere, but as I just stated, it CAN'T be created. I see a little bit of God right there.

Only strict fundamentalists have a problem with these kind of interpretations, and they do NOT make up a majority of America's religious community.

Answer 9

Excellent question, wrong conclusion. Let me say why. The mix comes from a misunderstanding of Darwin's theory. Species evolve inline within its species, not crossing species as many have made it out to be--slime did not become ultimately man or any other species. You are correct about the evidence of evolution, and I do agree it cannot be denied. Creationism, is based on the story in Genesis in which God took a clay like substance formed it and blew the breath of life. I believe this story but you have to remember another part of the Bible--a day is as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day to God. To God, what is a billion years or two. It is only man that is conscious of time.
So why not teach what is real---life comes from God, man cannot duplicate that nor effectively deny some power way beyond our understanding exist. So how God chose to develop the earth, the elements, the waters, the skies and so forth is His business--we know He took millions and millions of years playing with genetics, with structure, with habitat, so in the end we evolved as God thought of the perfect you, the perfect me and our neighbors the plants and animals, all perfect in their own way. That to me is the truth--both happened, side by side, with God in control. Jay

Answer 10

I believe in Old Earth Creationism. It lines up best with science and the Bible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Earth_creationism

I lean towards the Gap theory. The Earth was formed and reformed. I believe Revelation says it will be destroyed a third time by fire (probably lava) and reformed again. The new Jerusalem will be brought down at that point.

Oh...nothing like talking Religion in the politics section. Anyone got any questions or challenges on this, feel free to email me.

AND...I will be homeschooling or doing private school for my kids.

And I think evolution is simply us adapting to our surrounding