Evolution & Creationism
Issues, Science, and Religion
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Is evolution a science? Is creationism a science? What is science? Is there evidence for either? Religious fundamentalists often attack evolution, but rarely from a positions of really understanding what evolution is and how it works. This FAQ will not only teach you more about the nature of evolution and evolutionary theory, but it will also explain some of the more common complaints and where they go wrong.
News on Evolution and Creationism
Wondering about what has been going on in the world when it comes to evolution and creationism? There
are regular new stories about the efforts of creationists to insert creationism or 'Intelligent Design' into
public schools that teach evolution. How are they doing this and how does it affect others?
Highlights:
• Discovery [sic] Institute, R.I.P.
• Baptist College Chooses Freedom over Creationism
• Canadian Museum of Creationism
What is Evolution?
Evolution can be a difficult concept for people to come to terms with, especially
if they do not have much experience with life sciences. Is evolution a fact or a
theory? Or is it both? Does evolution explain the origin of life or not? These
are important questions which people need to be able to understand and answer.
Evolution is not a minor matter - it is, in fact, the cornerstone of all modern
biology.
Highlights:
• Evolution Defined
• Evolution: Fact or Theory?
• Microevolution vs. Macroevolution?
• Evolution Timeline
What is Creationism?
Like evolution, creationism can have more than one meaning. At its most basic,
creationism is the belief that the universe was created by a deity of some sort -
but after that, there is quite a lot of variety among creationists as to just
what they believe and why. People may lump all creationists together in one
group, but it is important to understand where they differ and why.
Highlights:
• Types of Creationism
• Creationism and Evolution
• Creationist Tactics
• Is Creationism Scientific?
What is Science?
This is a very reasonable question, but unfortunately it isn't easy to
provide a simple, definitive answer because there is no entity with the
authority to define science. Coming up with a proper definition of science is
not unlike coming up with a proper definition of other human institutions,
like religion or family: there is so much going on that long, complex books
are written in an effort to explain it all - and still people disagree.
Highlights:
• Defining Science
• What is the Scientific Method?
• Scientific Theories
• Philosophy of Science
Evolution & Religion
Very often, it seems as though evolution and religion must be locked in a desperate
struggle of life and death - and, for some religious beliefs, perhaps that impression
is reasonably accurate. However, the fact that some religions and some religious dogmas
are not entirely compatible with evolutionary biology does not mean that the same must
be true for all religions or religion generally.
Highlights:
• Does evolution contradict religion?
• Does Evolution contradict Christianity?
• Does evolution require atheism?
• Isn't evolution a religion?
Evolution & Law
Evolution is perhaps the only area of science which has been transformed into a legal issue
on which courts around the country have had to render decisions. No one initiates lawsuits
over the teaching of gravity, physics, chemistry, or any other part of the science
curriculum. It's also highly unlikely to find heated legislative debates over the status of
such topics in public schools, and that makes evolution relatively unusual.
Highlights:
• Who Cares?
• The Scopes Monky Trial
• What is "Balanced Treatment"?
• Textbook Disclaimers
Creationism and Evolution: Evidence and Use
Many people think that there isn't any evidence for evolution, but that is an error.
There is biochemical evidence, genetic evidence, fossil evidence, and quite a lot more.
Creationism, however, does not fare quite so well. Read why...
Highlights:
• What kinds of evidence support evolution?
• Has evolution ever been observed?
• What is "junk DNA?"
• What are "transitional fossils?"
Abiogenesis & The Origin of Life
Over the past few years, many scientists have been rethinking just how life on this planet might
have begun. Traditionally, it is has been advanced that billions of years ago, in some muddy
pool on the Earth's surface, life first began. Recently, however, evidence has begun pointing to
new possibilities - in particular, that life might have gotten its start deep under the surface
within geothermally heated rocks in hot, high-pressure conditions. Most people simply aren't
aware of these changes - very little is reported in the media, unfortunately.
Highlights:
• Abiogenesis & Evolution
• Abiogenesis & Probabilities
• Nature of Life and Entropy
• Life From the Deep: Extremophiles
Evolution & Creationism
Learn more about the terminology used in biological evolution, as well as in debates over creationism and evolution - from
abiogenesis to
Young Earth Creationism!
(over 50 entries)
