Creation vs Evolution

Creation vs Evolution

Introduction

The evolution/creation controversy is an acrimonious debate that has been ongoing since 1859, particularly in the United States of America. Although largely about the validity of the biological theory of evolution, this debate also encompasses subjects ranging from cosmology through geology to physics. The media has so sensationalized this debate that it is important 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.

Thesis statement

The debate of Creation vs Evolution contrasts the biological theory with a literal interpretation of the creation story in Bible, asserting these views as incompatible.

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.

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 of weaknesses in his ideas and active in seeking evidence opposed to his theory. Although scientists and the educated public became fast supporters of evolution, the reception in England's religious communities was divided. Some conservative Anglicans, including Samuel Wilberforce, the Bishop of Oxford, opposed evolution because it necessitated a change in the divine order. In contrast, many educated Christians, including more liberal Anglicans, embraced evolution as the blueprint of God's work in the world.

Early Controversy and Darwin's Response

The most famous manifestation of controversy immediately following the publication of On the Origin of Species involved Wilberforce arguing against evolution at a meeting for the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1860. Botanist Joseph Hooker and physiologist Thomas Huxley debated as supporters for evolution. Following the debate, scholars noted that Darwinism was taken out of context by the public and articulations of dissenting views about this scientific theory were depicted as a war between science and religious faith. Although personally an agnostic, Darwin was sympathetic to those with devout religious beliefs and was distressed at ...