Evolution and Creation should be taught at the public school system

Introduction

The evolution versus creation debate is an acrimonious debate that has been ongoing since 1859, particularly in the United States of America. This debate contrasts the biological theory of evolution with a literal interpretation of the creation story in the Judeo-Christian Bible, asserting these views as opposed. Although largely about the validity of the biological theory of evolution, this argument also encompasses subjects ranging from cosmology through geology to physics. The media has so sensationalized this debate that it is essential to set aside common misconceptions about the nature of this controversy to view it from a broader perspective. The theory of evolution has long been widely adopted by the world's scientific community. Evolution has been taught without dispute in most of the world's developed nations. It has also been accepted by the majority of world religions. The Catholic Church and most Protestant denominations, for example, find no conflict between their theological beliefs and evolutionary theory. In the United States, many deeply religious people view the theory of evolution as a compelling scientific explanation for the diversity of life on this planet .

The evolution/creation controversy is not a debate of faith versus science. Rather, it is a political and legal war involving some fundamentalist Christians, mostly situated in the United States, who are opposed to the theory of evolution on the grounds that it contradicts their specific interpretation of the account of Creation found in the Judeo-Christian Bible (Larson, 211).

The Theory of Evolution

The theory of evolution was first presented by British naturalist Charles Darwin in his book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection . Prior to Darwin, several scientific findings set the stage for the theory of evolution. Evolution is a process, which over many generations, results in heritable changes in the gene pool of a population. In On the Origin of Species, Darwin suggests the mechanisms by which life diversifies. These can be reduced to five basic ideas:

1. The high rate of reproduction within a species makes it impossible for all individuals to survive, and therefore, it creates a struggle for resources both within and between populations.

2. Within a species, there is enormous variation in the traits represented, and within each specific environment, certain traits will enhance the chances an individual has of surviving and reproducing.

3. Variation in traits is heritable and can be passed down to offspring.

4. Individuals and their offspring with traits best allowing them to obtain resources are more likely to survive and be able to reproduce.

5. Over many generations, new species arise through the specific pressures in a certain environment acting on which traits are more advantageous for individuals to pass down.

Natural selection is the process by which advantageous traits become more represented in a population over generations, since individuals with these traits are better able to survive and reproduce.

Contemporaneous Reception of This Theory

Most scientists accepted Darwin's theory of evolution readily because of the thoroughness of Darwin's arguments. Darwin was aware ...