The question of origins is one of incredible importance and relevancy in our modern-day society. After all, what we believe about the origins of our species has a profound influence on our attitudes concerning a number of different topics, but more importantly it frames our attitudes about science, religion, and the interaction between the two. Likewise, what we teach in schools about the subject of human origin is equally as important. In many regions of America, there is an ongoing controversy concerning the roles of the theory of evolution and the idea of creationism in our educational system. Does evolution have scientific flaws that compromise its validity? Is creationism a legitimate, alternative theory worth teaching? Exactly what sort of qualities should an idea have in order for it to be justified as being taught in a science class?
Those are definitely all questions that this blog is going to consider; however, the overall aim of this blog is to analyze the empirical and scientific backing of evolution and creationism, determine their overall scientific validity, and examine which one, if any, has a role in our American education system.
As a first-year student of a major research University of the United States, and as someone who has had a lot of first-time experience with both sides of the controversy, I understand the importance of the issue in our daily lives; what is at stake is more than just our individual beliefs and ideals, but the entire framework of which we place faith and science in our lives.
Self Evaluation Post
14 years ago
The creationism vs. evolution debate has been going on for a long time. When I think about it, sometimes I wonder how people do not believe in evolution. I am not saying that creationism is invalid, I am just saying that evolution is valid. There is such a large amount of scientific evidence to show that evolution exists. I know this because I actually did a theory of knowledge presentation investigating the knowledge issues behind the concept of evolution. I will admit that there are flaws to evolution. However, most things in life have flaws because nothing is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. I look forward to the scientific evidence you share (because I have limited knowledge about evidence for creationism).
while there is a good argument for both sides, a question that always bothered me is whether both creationism and evolution can coexist? can this be proven wrong or is there only a dominant side?
ReplyDeleteI, like ATD, agree that there seems not to be as great evidence for creationism as there is for evolution. The primary stance for creationism is the bible but there does not seem to be any scientific proof like there is in evolution. I am interested to see what which stance you take. As far as what should be taught in school I think that both should be taught. I know that they contradict each other but I think that individuals should be able to make an educated decision in which they think is the more accurate description of how the earth came to be.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to boil down to the separation of church and state when deciding which theory to teach in schools. In private schools, they can teach whatever religion they want, but in state schools it is looked down upon to advocate one religion over the other. We are taught evolution in science class because it is just that: science. In my opinion if you want to learn about creationism, you should take a religion class. I'm not necessarily advocating one theory over another, I'm just saying that one has scientific backing and the other does not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there much scientific backing behind the theory of creationism?
ReplyDeleteGood questions, I'll definitely be extrapolating later... so be patient. But to directly answer whether this is an issue of separation of church and state, it's important to note that proponents of Creationism (and by extension, Intelligent Design) consider it to be a legitimate scientific explanation of origins.
ReplyDeletethey are both faith based. creationism requires faith in an all powerful God.
ReplyDeleteEvolution involves faith that man has accurately found bones that all belong to the same creature, and did not suffer any birth defects to make it appear sub-human.
Both schools of thought will agree at the time the earth was formed, whether it be by an all knowing God, or an explosion caused by the compacting of gases, Humans were not around.
Relegion can be defined in anything that requires faith to believe in, or a belief persued with devotion. Debates can prove both sides are beliefs pursued with devotion and they both require faith to believe in. This means they are both relegions, and the two options should either not be tought at all, or it should be a required elective that the student chooses one of the two on his/ her own
I agree with mediabully. I believe there are some instances in which one can provide some sort of evidence in which evolution and creationism both exist. An example is the Big Bang Theory. This idea is greatly accepted by evolutionist but in order for the Big Bang to create the world everything that happened at that time had to be precise. It is in this part that you can argue that God allowed for the Big Bang to take place and create the earth.
ReplyDeleteSpartan, I find the idea that evolution is a religion to be a tad... ridiculous. We must all place a level of belief in everything we claim to "know"; does the fact that you place a certain amount of faith in the workings of gravity make gravitational theory a religion? Can such things be considered religions if it has no claimed "adherents"? Evolution sticks with the scientific method, creationism does not; that's what makes evolutionary theory a legitimate scientific concept.
ReplyDelete