Evolution or creation?

Doug Hagin

May 8, 2005

There is a raging debate in our schools, which has been going steady for decades now, and I must say it is a debate I cannot understand at all. The debate surrounds what our children should be taught concerning the origins of human beings and other animal life. Which should be taught, evolution or creation? It seems, on the surface a fairly simple question.

Since no one alive today was actually around when the earth and life came to be, surely no one of us knows for sure what exactly happened. So why not teach all the various theories if they have scientific evidence to support them?

Now of course there are very high emotions involved for both sides here. Evolutionists are appalled that any challenge to their theory, and yes evolution is a theory, would be allowed in school. Further many are cowering in fear that teaching intelligent design might somehow cross the line between church and state. On the other hand, some folks who believe in creation seem to think any discussion of evolution is an affront to their religious beliefs.

Personally, I think both sides are overlooking the student’s education in favor of their own selfish desires. Certainly, evolution has never been proven has it? It is a theory, so why teach it as fact? The answer, of course is it should not be. Evolution ought to be taught for what it is, nothing more. As for creation, the scientific evidence supporting it should be taught in our schools. There is no need for a lesson creation to turn into a sermon.

If there is a disagreement in the scientific community over how our world came to be, and there certainly is, then our kids deserve nothing less than all the theories. To give them less would cheat them of all the information and that is, frankly, inexcusable.

Now I would wager that there are some who believe in evolution who are going ballistic read ing this. I have heard repeatedly that evolution is a scientific fact and that creation is mythical hogwash. Sorry this is not the case. Evolution has never been proven, and in fact, there are several serious issues with its validity, more on that in a minute.

I will also wager that there are believers furious I would suggest teaching evolution alongside creation. Sorry but that is, to me, the best possible solution to this problem. I myself subscribe to intelligent design. It stands to reason that all the life on this planet hardly came about as an accident or without a designer.

The fact is this; certain aspects of Darwinism are based in fact and common sense. Species do evolve to certain degrees. The environment can, over time, cause changes in species. However, the problem evolution has is that there really is no proof that species evolve into totally different species.

Consider these problems with evolution. There is no adequate explanation for the origin of life from dead chemicals. Even the simplest life form is tremendously complex. Evolution tells us, in effect all life came from nothing. That has never been proven. As much as evolutionists say creation is based solely on faith, it takes as much or more faith to buy evolution.

Further, the fossil records fail to support evolutionary theories. There are no transitional fossil remains that have been found. For example, evidence that “pre-men” (ape-men) existed is dubious at best. So-called pre-man fossils turn out to be those of apes, extinct apes, fully man, or historical frauds. Are we to teach our kids that evolution is a fact in the face of this evidence?

Creation is often painted as a completely unscientific belief. Creation scientists are often referred to as ignorant and a discredit to the scientific community. Those of us who think there is at least very good reasons to include creation in the curriculum are poked fun at as well. We are called backwards and told we might as well believe the earth is flat.

These are, of course, ridiculous and inane charges. If evolutionists are so convinced they are right and that they are in possession of overwhelming evidence to support their theory why are they afraid of creation being taught? It would seem they would be chomping at the bit to get both theories into a classroom. There they could debate it and, according to them, win convincingly.

Yet many of them seem very loathe to engage I this debate. Instead, they are apparently intent on discrediting creationists with personal insults. It is quite often we hear creation will make our kids uninterested in science and will take our country back to the Stone Age. It seems evolutionists protest too much. Why would they take this approach? If they are convinced, evolution is a fact and should be taught as such, they should not mind a challenge should they?

Evolutionists also love to say there can never be any scientific evidence of creation. Really? How can that be? If the world was created certainly, it makes sense there would be evidence in nature does it not. Certainly if evolution is true, the scientific evidence will support it, likewise with creation. Why would we deny our students access to both theories?

For those believers having a tough time considering teaching both theories consider this. Your faith is untouchable. So is your child’s faith. Faith is magical in that way. Just as evolutionists not fear open debate and exploration of both theories neither should people of faith. The goal should not be for either side to attempt to silence the other, it should be to expose our kids to every bit of information and let their curious minds grow.

School is boring enough. If we all wish our children to become more, not less, curious about science and the origins of life and this planet then let them hear all the evidence. There is no harm in that. Instead of arguing against one side or the other, both sides should be encouraging our kids to get all the data available.

Student’s minds crave knowledge naturally. Feed those cravings and it stands to reason the interest in our natural history will blossom and grow. Teaching our kids that no one really knows definitively how we got here and that these are the theories and here is the evidence for those theories will help open their minds. No one should fear that should they?

Evolution or creation?