Posted by blue on August 24, 1999 at 23:32:33:
In Reply to: creation vs. evolution posted by Robert on August 24, 1999 at 10:33:31:
: It seems that one tactic of creationists is to label creationism as a science, and so to conclude that it than must be presented in the public schools as an alternative scientific approach.
You are correct that creationism is not scientific.
: I usually have no problem with those who wish to believe in biblical creationism. It is their right to follow any religion they choose. But it is also my right to not have these religious beliefs, of which I strongly disagree with, be forced fed to my son in the public school system.
But you can't have it both ways. The creationist objects to his son being "force fed" evolution. I know many very well educated creationists, especially in the field of medicine, and none have had their work hampered by their beliefs. For most practical purposes, a thorough knowledge of natural selection is more than adequate for the high school student. Extending such talk to theories of origins is interesting, but probably not terribly applicable to most professions.
:I have no objection to the creationists teaching this creationism in their own church schools, although I have the deepest of sympathy for the many students there who will ultimately have their science education diminished.
Again, one can (and should) teach micro-evolution. Little is lost for the student who isn't taught that it all started with a single cell, as long as the last couple of thousand years of the process is understood.
: You mentioned that you cannot actually prove something that you cannot repeat. Actually nothing is proved 100% in science.
Correct.
:However, one can find ample evidence that the concepts of literal Genesis do not match the physical reality.
True to an extent. What compounds the problem is that much that is pushed by creationists doesn't come from Genesis either, making for even more confusion to the uninformed populace. A careful reading of Genesis 1 and 2 yields only a few verses difficult to reconcile with modern evolutionary thought.
:This does not say, though, that science disproves the existance of God. That is never science's purpose. Many mainstream christians (especially the Roman Catholics) have not experienced the difficulties that the fundamentalist sects (literal Genesis believers, which are the most boisterous creationists) have had in reconciling their religious beliefs and faiths with known physical reality. Why the fundamentalists possess such weak faith that they feel that various branches of science and scientific findings threaten their faith so is a mystery to me, when I observe the majority of christians not possessing this same antimosity towards evolution.
From observation, it appears the rank and file of most congregations are not comfortable with evolution. Perhaps the Roman Catholics are an exception, but I suspect to limit such a view to the "fundies" is a bit extreme. That's just observation on my part, however.
Cheers,
blue