Creationism vs. Evolution

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the debate between creationism and evolution and explains that it is not a clear-cut matter, since not all creationists dismiss evolution and some evolutionists can also be deists. The writer describes how the argument began as soon as evolutionary theory took shape and how the antagonism between faith and science is to be found in politics as well as society. Furthermore, the writer explains how the debate goes from literal to philosophical questions and then describes those in the middle who believe that evolutionary theory and God can co-exist.

From the Paper:

"This statement reveals in its tone an atmosphere where there can be a scientific world wherein atheists and non-atheists can conduct themselves as usual without interfering with each other. But the real ramifications of this debate are not about physicists of different outlooks getting along well. The real matter is political; it is the question of how a nation shall be governed and the presumptions underlying the rights and obligations of its citizenry. Because of issues like the fundamental schism between dictated morality verses common sense morality (to which I will return), the way this issue polarizes people can be fundamental to ideology in theory, but also it attacks the power of a faith's institutions, if its judgments are taken from holy texts, that science keeps proving questionable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beckwith, Francis J. "Science and Religion Twenty Years after McLean V. Arkansas: Evolution, Public Education, and the New Challenge of Intelligent Design," Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. 26(2003):1-22 http://www.questia.com/read/5002005568?title=Science%20and%20Religion%20Twenty%20Years%20after%20McLean%20V.%20Arkansas%3a%20Evolution%2c%20Public%20Education%2c%20and%20the%20New%20Challenge%20of%20Intelligent%20Design
• Bowman, Kristi L. "Seeing Government Purpose through the Objective Observer's Eyes: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Debates," Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. 29(2006):16 http://www.questia.com/read/5014310424?title=Seeing%20Government%20Purpose%20through%20the%20Objective%20Observer's%20Eyes%3a%20The%20Evolution-Intelligent%20Design%20Debates
• Byrne, Patrick H. "Evolution, Randomness, and Divine Purpose: A Reply to Cardinal Schonborn," Theological Studies. 67(2006):5 http://www.questia.com/read/5017146580?title=Evolution%2c%20Randomness%2c%20and%20Divine%20Purpose%3a%20A%20Reply%20to%20Cardinal%20Schonborn
• Lindberg, David C., and Numbers, Ronald L. "Beyond War and Peace: a Reappraisal of the Encounter Between Christianity and Science," Church History. 55(1986):341 http://www.questia.com/read/95156411?title=Beyond%20War%20and%20Peace%3a%20a%20Reappraisal%20of%20the%20Encounter%20Between%20Christianity%20and%20Science
• Selk, Eugene E. "From Genesis to Genetics: The Case of Evolution and Creationism," Theological Studies. (63)2002:1 http://www.questia.com/read/5000661906

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