WHO IS ANTI-EVOLUTION?
1. Who is anti-evolution?
a. Although creationists and
intelligent design theorists accept much of evolution, they repeatedly
attack evolution.
They are usually
fundamentalists who literally interpret parts of the Bible;
b. NOT many Christian and Jewish
denominations: not United Methodist, Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Prebyterian, American Jewish Congress
c. NOT the overwhelming
majority (99%) of scientists
A change in the proportion of different genetic traits over time.
3. Isn't evolution just a theory?
a. You can measure evolution in
nature, in the lab, on the farm. (see references and
web links below).
b. Evolutionary theory is the verbal and mathematical ideas about how
(NOT whether) evolution occurs
just like talking about the theory of gravity doesn't
reflect doubt about whether gravity occurs
c. To see how easily and obviously evolution can occur, play candy evolution -- it's fun and tasty
(For other exercises, go to http://www.bios.niu.edu/bking/evoexercises.htm
)
4. Why not teach intelligent design "theory" in science classes alongside evolution?
a. Creationism and intelligent
design "theory" are NOT science.
Their "theory" basically boils down to "Some traits are very
complicated so God(s) must have made them by some process other than
evolution." Reasons that this does not count as a scientific theory
include:
1) it's not true (scientists have shown how evolution can lead to complex
traits),
2) it doesn't describe the alternative process; if God did not create by the
process of evolution, HOW did s/he create, by what
process?
“God did it” or “by a miracle” is not a
SCIENTIFIC explanation
3) in the scientific literature there are no data papers of original research
that test intelligent design "theory," and
4) it introduces the supernatural, whereas science (like many fields, e.g.,
engineering, automechanics, etc.) is the study of the
natural.
Creationists use the term creation science, but in court their OWN witnesses
say it is NOT science (Berra 1990).
Teaching creationism is "religious advocacy" according to federal
courts (Matsumura 1995, p. 9) and thus violates the separation of church and
state.
b. Creationism / intelligent design "theory" is not
supported by
(1) scientific evidence from physics, geology, biology, astronomy
(2) many religious groups (see 1b above). Many religious people strongly
oppose creation science and intelligent design "theory" being taught
in science classes and strongly support evolution. They point out that a
literal interpretation of the Bible is not supported by the Bible itself, e.g.,
the order of creation is different in Genesis chpt 1 vs 2; insects have 6 not 4 legs (Lev. 11:20); bats are not
a kind of bird (Lev. 11:13-19; Deut. 14:11-18), e.g., some verses say men must
not cut their sideburns and say when it is okay to beat your slaves...
c. To be fair, would every group's creation story be taught in science
class? not just the bible one? What about American
Indians' creation stories? In which case, when will there be time for science
to be taught?
5. Why not just avoid teaching evolution?
a. Evolution is a major and important
part of biology and has been extremely well-tested and supported.
b. Understanding evolution has important practical applications, e.g.,
medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, conservation
c. What is taught in science classes should be based on scientific evidence NOT
religious belief
6. Can school districts require that evolution be taught? Can they prohibit creationism and intelligent design “theory" from being taught in science class?
Yes. Yes.
Requiring teaching of evolution does NOT violate freedom of religion.
Prohibiting the teaching of creationism does NOT violate free speech.
Web Links:
http://www.teachthemscience.org/pleaseno Accessible to those without background or interest
in heavy-science talk.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evohome.html
easy introduction to evolution and misconceptions about it
http://www.talkorigins.org/
I'd start here if I had a specific topic; very complete; some images and photos
http://ncseweb.org/evolution Statements from
many religious, science and education groups about evolution and/or
creationism. http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/rel_evol_sun.htm The Clergy Letter project: “to
demonstrate that religion and science can be compatible”
http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/resevol.html Links
to evolution and creation sites.
http://vuletic.com/hume/cefec/index.html
Frequently encountered criticisms in evolution versus creationism.
http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/default.htm
Australian site, includes some Christian pro-evolution views
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ev_denom.htm
Various religions' (not just Christian) views on evolution
Articles, Books:
Hosler, Jay S. 2003. Sandwalk
adventures : an adventure in evolution told in five
chapters, 2nd ed.
Gould, S.J. March 1997. Nonoverlapping magesteria. Natural History 106:16-22, 60-62.
Gamlin, Linda. 2000. Evolution. Part of the Eyewitness series, lots of photos (ages 9+) ISBN: 0789467194
Burnie, David. Eyewitness: Life 64 pages, DK Publishing; ISBN: 0789467186
Papez, S.M. 1977. Evolution: God or Gorilla.
copyright Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.
3 pages of "science" arguments against evolution + 1 last page of
religion. At our university it was given to resident assistants along with an
offer for a creationist to give a talk in the dorms; also a creationist student
asked me to use it in class, which turns out to be very effective.