From the Left
Since Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution by natural selection in 1859, it has been the source of much hot debate, mainly by religious groups who claim it contradicts the biblical story of creation, which they believe to be true. Most of this controversy has been in the United States, where religious groups have opposed the teaching of evolution in public schools. In 1925, Tennessee passed the Butler Act, a law prohibiting the teaching of any theory of the origin of man which contradicted the Bible. The law was tested and upheld in the highly publicized Scopes Trial of 1925, and wasn't repealed until 1967. The creation vs. evolution controversy continues to this day. Religious groups demand equal time teaching of "creationism" or "intelligent design" as alternatives to the theory of evolution.
I think the creation vs. evolution debate is ridiculus, since there is overwhelming evidence in favor of evolution, including fossil evidence, molecular genetics, and the geographical distribution of species. Darwin himself had initially believed in creation before setting on his historic voyage aboard the Beagle, in which he gathered evidence in favor of his theory. Today, the evidence for evolution is so overwhelming that it is considered an undisputed fact by the scientific community at large. Even the Catholic church now accepts the theory of evolution.
Although Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has prevailed, this should not diminish the role of religion in our society. Einstein once said, "Science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind." In order to be healthy, religion must be open to scrutiny. When prepondering scientific evidence contradicts a religious teaching, that teaching must be modified in order to accomodate the new science.
I find evolution remarkable from a religious perspective. Evolution has progressed from simple to more and more complex organisms, with our current species of homo sapiens being the most highly developed species to have evolved thus far. Where are we headed? Does evolution have a goal? These are deep questions which only religion can attempt to answer for the time being. |
From the Right
Evolution vs. creation is the kind of intellectual battle that has divided God-fearing folk from agnostic scientists since the dawn of time – or so some would have you believe. Similarly, some religious conservatives have clamored high and low that evolution should not be taught in the school system. More reasonable voices have demanded that creation be included in the curriculum that talks about the theory of evolution.
It is interesting to note that Republican constituents as a whole are as divided about the theory of evolution as anyone else in the country. Some take it as the absolute gospel, while others see it as an extension of the creation by a supreme being. Yet regardless of what individuals may believe in their hearts and minds with respect how the duckbilled platypus came into being, the bottom line is eerily simple: creation is a religious concept that cannot be given equal play in the school system, simply because it is not a theory that can be taught.
Republican lawmakers and teachers know this. The most one can say about evolution is that some people believe it to be a fact that a supreme being created the universe and everything in it. Still others believe that evolution is part and parcel of the creation process. Thus, in two sentences the idea behind creationism can be introduced to the students in passing as evolution is discussed. Republicans will need to remain firm in their resolve not to be branded religious nuts simply because they want to expose children to as much knowledge and information as possible.
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