Everyday Darwin

Creationism vs. Evolutionism

The debate between creationism and evolutionism has raged for more than a century and continually effects our daily lives. Society has been at odds over this question and has yet to reach a definitive agreement. The question of creation vs. evolution is whether man was created by a higher power, or whether man is descendent of the primate. The debate dates back to the late 18th century in Europe and North America upon the discovery of fossils displaying past extinctions. (Desmond) The question was then prompted further in the mid 19th century with Darwin's publishing On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in 1859. (Appleman 59) Still today the debate continues a part of which concerns the teaching of creation. There is scientific merit behind various parts of the theory of evolution which are generally taught in public school programs. Creation on the other hand is backed generally only by religion, and it is of the opinion of many that these beliefs should not incorporated into education under the terms that it violates the separation of church and state. 

Growing up attending both public as well as private school gave me first hand insight into the differences in approach when the subject is brought up, or being spelled out in the curriculum. In the private Jesuit setting the subject was taught from a religious standpoint with a strong backing on creationism, yet still touching on the aforementioned scientific merit behind the subject. While in the public setting when discussing the same topic the religious side was not even approached, but simply mentioned when the question was posed. The public program also managed to incorporate the scientific side in a larger way, which in my opinion more often favors evolution,  but they never went deep into the subject because it seems that in order to do so a more elaborate study of both sides of the debate would be required.

In Michael Shermer's piece Genesis Revisited: A Scientific Creation Story Shermer brings a great deal of satire to the theory of creationism by directly incorporating evolutionist ideas. (Appleman 625) This light hearted approach shows a compromise to both views, and while it makes a mockery of the side of creation, it tells the story of the seven days by which, in the creationist model, God creates earth. "And in the land God placed fossil fuels, natural gas, and other natural resources for humans to exploit, but not until after Day Six" (Appleman 625). This quote dictates the style of the rest of the piece and provides example of how Shermer contrasts the two theories by providing satire and a lighthearted approach. 

Yet another recent joining of the two views was formed in 1847 in the capitol of the Catholic faith, The Vatican. In Michael Mason's article How to Teach Science to The Pope a great deal of information is given the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. This is "an independent and remarkably influential body within the Holy See" and was put in place to further scientific research for the benefit of religion and creationist theories. (Mason) The Catholic church's embrace of scientific research is also home to lead 20th century scientists, making it home to significant research. This welcoming of science strays somewhat from the radical idea that science played no role in our existence and we have been and will be stagnant in our species as opposed to an evolving species. However the welcoming allows for greater steps to be made in research that could possibly shed more light on the topic. 

The debate will not soon cease, but as technology progresses, and we learn more about our origins, perhaps then a clear answer will be established. But until that time, society will hold conflicting views on how we came to be. It is our job to teach this subject allowing all information to be present if a clear understanding of the debate is to be gained. With such a relevant and interesting discussion such as the creation vs. evolution debate, it pays to be able to analyze it from all angles, embracing both sides from an informational, educational standpoint.

Works Cited
Desmond, Adrian & James Moore (1991), Darwin, London: Michael Joseph, Penguin Group

Mason, Michael. "How to Teach Science to The Pope" Discover Magazine. August 18, 2008 http://discovermagazine.com/2008/sep/18-how-to-teach-science-to-the-pope

Shermer, Michael. "Genesis Revisited: A Scientific Creation Story." in Darwin. 3rd ed. Philip Appleman, ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001.

Appleman, Philip "Darwin: On Changing the Mind" in Darwin. 3rd ed. Phillip Appleman, ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001.