Abstract This paper discusses the impact of believing in evolution, on the behavior of students by describing both the evolutionary theory and its various effects. The paper presents the considerable debates on the issues of evolution and creationism. The writer claims that evolution is usually held responsible for inducing immorality among its followers.
Introduction
Evolution or Creation Evolution and Ethics
Evolution and Morality
Evolution and the Value of Human Life
Co-Existence of Evolution and Religion/Morality
Belief in Evolution and Behavior of a Student
References
From the Paper "The theory of evolution that man is just another animal in the line of living forms, attaches the same value to a man's life as the value that is attached to an animal. As a result, in presence of evolutionary claims, there is no rule that could regard a man's life as more important than an animal's and therefore worth treating any differently. Such a belief tends to lead, inevitably to unethical code of conduct. For instance, in January, 1973, the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-to-2 vote, decided that the human embryo growing within the human womb cannot be defined as "human" and as a result, it can be subjected to any kind of maltreatment. According to Darwin, an evolutionist, since the weaker members of society are unfit and, by the laws of nature, cannot survive, a baby growing in the womb cannot survive either unless helped by a stronger being. Unless the mother, a stronger being, is bound by a moral code, she will not help a baby grow. This will, in the long run, inevitably lead to extinction of human race."
Abstract A detailed discussion of the theories of evolution (naturalistic, theistic and creation science), and a comparison to the Christian belief of the world as G-d 's creation. The author analyzes whether a Christian can truly believe in the theories of evolution.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Evolution
A. Charles Darwin ? "Origin of Species"
B. Supporting Evidence
II. Creationism
A. Definition
B. Bible
C. Supporting Evidence
III. Conclusion
A. Survey
Summary
From the Paper From the paper:
There are three main views of how the universe came to be. Naturalistic evolution proclaims that the universe was driven by purely natural forces, without input from God. Theistic evolution states that evolution was a tool used by God. Creation Science states that everything was created by God in six days and six nights less than 10,000 years ago. What do people believe? Can a Christian, believing in God's miraculous creation, also believe in evolution?
Abstract This paper attempts to discuss, in a non-judging manner, creationism and evolutionary thought. The paper reviews the theory and scientific facts of evolution. Then the paper extrapolates on the creationists' theory of Intelligent Design.
From the Paper "As humankind continues to move forward into the future, it also searches the past to reveal what the past can teach it in an effort to understand where life-kind as a whole is going. In some cases people..."
Abstract This paper examines the debate between evolutionists and creationists that exposes the shortcomings of creation "science." It discusses the basic features of each theory of the emergence of life in the universe and on earth and also examines Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species."
From the Paper "This research examines issue fronts that arise around creationism and evolution as methods of explaining the emergence of life in the universe in general and on earth in particular. The research will set forth the basic features of each strand of thought and .."
Abstract Science and religion have become dominant forces in today's world, and the battle between these two topics continues to affect many aspects of modern society. Although opinions have changed since the days of Charles Darwin and the time of the famous "Scope's Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925, science and religion, especially in the area of evolution, continue to seek answers to some very basic questions, such as exactly how life originated on earth and the direction in which life is heading. The paper shows that the fact that scientists and theologians frequently arrive at different answers to these questions does not seem to be the problem; in essence, the true problem lies in the vastly divergent approaches used by each in finding the answers to these seminal questions. The paper shows that, essentially, science utilizes the power of reason and logic in its search for the truth, while religion depends almost wholly upon faith. In addition, science incorporates experimentation and observation, while religion embraces revelation as found in the Holy Bible and other religious doctrines. Thus, the scientist may attempt to explain human origins through progressive evolution, while the religious scholar looks to the creative process described in Genesis. The paper explains that attempting to discover which pathway is correct seems to be the most important aspect of this entire debate, yet it remains unclear whether science or religion will prevail in the end.
From the Paper "In nature, artificial selection usually involves the best and strongest genes in an organism that are then used to maintain growth and control to the most extreme. These selections always act upon the whole organism and not just a single gene, and all desirable features and any potentially unwanted features are balanced by the process of selection. As a result, artificial selection influences all of an organism's genes and makes them work together to produce the various physical features of an animal or a plant. When artificial selection is thwarted by what is known as a mutation, being a radical and often quick alteration in an organism's general appearance or function, it may take many generations for this mutation to alter the entire population."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that by looking at fossil records over the history of life on earth, it is possible to see a progression from the earliest microscopic fossils three and a half billion years ago, which were similar to blue-green algae and bacteria, to homo sapiens that live today and came into being at least 50,000 years ago. The writer maintains that most scientists believe that this progression is what Charles Darwin hypothesized as an evolution of life that continued or died out due to natural selection, which consisted of many small gradual changes as the organisms adjusted to their environment. The writer notes that it is human nature, however, to continually see how new scientific research or even personal values equate with a theory. The writer concludes that in the future, one could actually say that the study of evolution will evolve as new information is found through advances in science such as genetics and brain imaging, as well as ongoing archaeological and geological finds.
From the Paper "Darwin's Theory of Evolution states that life evolved through natural selection gradually over millions of years. Small changes eventually led to new species. According to natural selection, animals, organisms and plants adapt to their environment. This is called artificial selection, because it is nature not humans that chooses the animals that multiply. Random chance determines the traits that are passed on from one generation to another."
"For example, in England prior to the Industrial Revolution, peppered moths were light colored with tiny dark patches that were the same color as the lichen on which they landed. Because they were this color, they could blend in with the lichen and not be noticed by birds and eaten. Darker moths that were more easily seen by their prey were eaten before they could reproduce. However, when the lichen started to become darker because of the soot in the air from the increasing industry, the light-colored moths began to stand out. Now they were vulnerable, instead of the darker moths. The dark moths became more abundant, and the white moths became a rarity."
Abstract This research paper explores the widely disputed concept of which forms of evolution, if any, should be taught in public schools. Did God create the universe, or did it stem from the Big Bang. What educators and school boards think. Current schools? policies are examined, and many experts? opinions are analyzed.
From the Paper "Since Charles Darwin published his Origin of Species, a constant battle between creation and evolution has arisen. Darwin offered a new explanation of where man came from. He believed that humans, and all other living things for that matter, evolved from less complex forms of life, allowing only the fittest species to survive and adapt. Furthermore, evolutionists, the supporters of Darwin's theory, believe the universe was created in a massive explosion billions of years ago called the big bang. Creationists, on the other hand, believe that some higher power, usually God, created the universe as described in the Genesis chapter of the Bible. The debate over how the universe was created eventually spilled over into America's public education system, leading to a major controversy. Because of laws mandating a separation of religious beliefs and public institutions, like public schools, a decision on which theory of the universe's creation should be taught could not be reached. This poses a new question. To what degree, if any, should creationism and evolution be taught in the public schools? Based on current scientific evidence, waning public opinion, and the violation of the separation of church and state, it is negligent for creationism to have a place in America's classrooms."
Tags: bang, big, creationism, darwin, education, evolution, god
Abstract This paper explains Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth") and numerous writings from the other books of various religions led creationists to believe that man, the earth, and the rest of the universe were originally created by a divine force. The author points out that, there is a complete absence of such proof for creationism; instead, there is irrefutable scientific evidence that the creationist beliefs are in direct conflict with the current scientific theories about how the universe started, such as the "Big Bang" hypothesis, and how life was first formed and evolved through the "building blocks" of life, as in the theory of evolution. The paper relates that scientific evidence, such as geological records, inter-tidal, and terrestrial deposits indicate that, at no recorded time in the past, has the entire planet been under water, as suggested by the story of Noah's flood, which supposedly happened just a few thousand years ago.
From the Paper "There are several categories of people who advocate "creation science" but can be broadly grouped into the "young earth creationists" and the ?old earth creationists.? The former contend that the earth is no more than 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. The more rigid (or "fundamentalist") creationists go further. They believe that the heaven and the earth were created on 4004 BC. The more flexible, "old creationists" concede that the universe could have come into existence a lot earlier but argue for an "initial or first cause" arguing that "Someone" (a divine power) initiated the cataclysmic events for creating the universe and then evolution was used as the process by this divine power to guide the subsequent events. The other major belief of the "young earth creationists" is about a worldwide flood that occurred during the time of Noah, when waters rose for 150 days and went down for the next 150 days and that all existing species of life are the ones that were taken aboard the Noah's Ark."
Abstract In this article, the writer firstly defines creationism as a system of belief that maintains that humans, the earth, and the universe were created by a supreme being or deity. The writer explains that creationists believe in a god who is absolute creator of heaven and earth, out of nothing, by an act of free will. The writer then examines the history of creationism.
From the Paper "Creationism is generally defined as a belief system which holds that human beings, the earth, and the universe were created by a supreme being or deity, either ex nihilo or from preexisting chaos. Many Creationists consider their beliefs to be compatible with science, explain that certain scriptural accounts of creation should be interpreted as metaphors, or believe that scientific laws and mechanisms were created by supernatural intervention."
Abstract This paper argues that the theory of evolution upholds itself when examining the world around us and does so by studying the evolution of the elephant. It uses the opinions of other scientists to compare and contrast bias and successfully traces ancestry and evolution over millions of years.
From the Paper "The claim "Evolution is just a theory and has not been proven" is simply a false incredulous claim that has no basis and no proof. However, if one were to claim that the theory of Evolution has been proven, one would be correct. Evolution is a theory of development from earlier forms: the theoretical process by which all species develop from earlier life forms. For hundreds of years scientists have searched for and found evidence of evolution in humans, animals, and other organisms. Fossils have shown us that life on Earth was vastly different millions of years ago and also provide us with evidence of how organisms change and adapt over long periods of time. Arguments against evolution are both scientific and religious. Creationists believe that God created the universe and everything in it in six days, resting on the seventh. "
Abstract Should creationism be taught in schools as anything more than a rather quaint and outdated belief? This essay will argue that it is important to incorporate creationism into the general debate and approach it as a view that is perhaps not mutually exclusive with a more empirical, scientific approach.
Abstract This paper argues that even though Darwin's theories are not fully compatible with the Bible, it does not necessarily mean that God did not plan evolution in advance. The great unfolding of nature in all its splendor, even from its most humble beginnings to an advanced state as evolution dictates, proves that man's ideas are compatible with those of God.
From the Paper "So far, it seems that science and religion, as far as evolution is concerned, can never come to a consensus on whether life evolved from lower forms as maintained by Charles Darwin or was created by a divine God. However, the Holy Bible encourages man to roam the natural world in responsible freedom, meaning that man must show respect to God's creations while ignoring superstition. In addition, the Holy Bible puts man in the position as a creature of God and part of the divine created order. Unlike the rest of the natural world, man has the power of foresight and understanding which makes him a responsible being in the eyes of God. With these powers, man is commanded by God to control and manipulate the world, not as an arrogant and selfish being but as a steward of God's creations."
Abstract This paper discusses Henry M. Morris' book, "Scientific Creationism". The paper suggests that the book poses interesting and thought-provoking questions which makes it more intriguing. The paper goes on to give examples of statements or concepts that Morris makes in the book and are written in a broad enough manner to cause controversy. The paper suggests that for those who believe that science is the only truth, or those who are adamant creationists, the book offers enough evidence for both sides.
From the Paper "One of those beliefs found in the book is that creationism as compared to a model such as natural selection or survival of the fittest is (according to Morris) more likely than what has been given credit to. A survival of the fittest model can be described as containing tautologies, or circular thoughts. For example, since the survival of the fittest model says that the fittest individuals are those that procreate more often and bear more offspring, it is also defining those that procreate more often and bear more offspring as being the fittest. The definition fits because it is the definition. With this type of scientific definition being used, then Creationism has no chance whatsoever in being accepted by those who define such characteristics."
Abstract This paper begins with an introduction to the debate, which is followed by an overview of the debate. The writer then discusses the impact of genetic modification on evolution, the effects of stewardship, and a conclusion and recommendations. This paper does not take any particular side and leaves the decision up to the reader.
From the Paper "As is most apparent in today's world, science and religion have become two very dominant forces and the battle between these topics continues to affect many aspects of modern society. Although opinions have changed since the days of Charles Darwin and the time of the famous "Scope's Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925, science and religion, especially in the area of evolution, continue to seek answers to some very basic questions, such as exactly how life originated on earth and the direction in which life is heading. The fact that scientists and theologians frequently arrive at different answers to these questions does not seem to be the problem; in essence, the true problem lies in the vastly divergent approaches used by each in finding the answers to these seminal questions."
Abstract Since at least the nineteenth century, the primacy of God in creation theory has been challenged vigorously by rationalists and by the scientific community. With this in mind, the paper examines more closely the curious intersection between orthodox Catholic beliefs about the centrality of God to the formation of the world and the idea universally accepted within the academic community that the world and all forms of life living upon it evolved by chance from primordial beginnings.
From the Paper "To wit, the next several pages will show that there is still a "place" for God within the theory of evolution and that a person can believe in evolution and still believe in the Almighty. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of this important topic that we now turn."
