Evolutionary Theory Vs Creation Theory

924 Words4 Pages
In today’s society, science encompasses our lives. Everything from the alarm clock that wakes us up, to the car that gets us to work, to the computer that we use to complete work. All of these things took time to evolve into what they are to us today. Animals, and even humans, also evolved the same way over several millennia. However, the theory of how we evolved was not established until Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace presented their findings to the scientific community in the late 1800s. Christianity was established well over 2000 years ago and is embedded into society through cultural structure as well as in governments. In the United States, the words “Under God” and “In God We Trust” are used in important documents, on…show more content…
There are those, such as the Creationists, adhere to the biblical scriptures and take a strictly literal translation. This view does not allow for many scientific theories about the age of the earth, climate change, nor the theory of evolution. However, the creationists are a small sect of christianity as a whole. Other branches of christianity take a different perspective on science and accept science to be aligned with their teachings. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who served as the head of the Catholic church from 2005 until 2013 stated, “Evolution in nature is not opposed to the notion of Creation, because evolution presupposes the creation of beings that evolve.” In fact, Pope Pius XII was noted for making controversial remarks about evolutionary theory’s place in the church. Pope Francis, the current pope, is said to not only tolerate evolutionary theory, but to embrace it. The catholic church has made it clear, that evolution may explain the physical origins of man, however, the soul is still the responsibility of…show more content…
According to the Pew Research Center, “A majority of white evangelical Protestants (64%)… say that humans have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.” It is also mentioned that of the believers in evolution, 18% believe it has been guided by the hand of God. This creates a super majority in the evangelical population; 82% believe science to be opposite their own beliefs. This battle has been demonstrated throughout our country’s history through legal proposals demanding equal footing between evolution and creationism. One common weak point seems to stem from a misconception created by one word. Language evolves the same way organisms do, not better or worse, but different. The science department at Oregonstate.edu mentions this problem; “In everyday language a theory means a hunch or speculation. Not so in science. In science, the word theory refers to a comprehensive explanation of an important feature of nature supported by facts gathered over time.” This linguistic grey area presented itself legally in House Bill 391 submitted to the Georgia state congress, in 2001 that reads as follows: “This Bill directs teachers to distinguish between "philosophical materialism" and "authentic science", and extends to teachers the "right" to present and critique any scientific theory of the origins or life or species.” This bill was not taken to
Show More
Related

  • Scope Monkey Trail

    2094 Words  | 9 Pages

    did not allow teachers to teach evolutionary theory to children that are still in grade school or that go to a secondary school unless instructed otherwise. This act was shut down by the Supreme Court. The reasons why the decided that they shouldn’t go through with is act was because is violated the first amendment. It does not help protect the academic freedom of the children. Finally the act did not enhance the teacher’s ability to teach. The court case Engel vs Vitale was in the state of New York

    Read More

More about Evolutionary Theory Vs Creation Theory

Open Document