CREATIONISM VS EVOLUTION

Victor Bloom MD

Recently Kansas joined several other states in making a law that required textbooks and science teachers to teach creationism alongside of evolution. To many, this present tendency to discount the validity of the theory of evolution recalls the famous Scopes trial of the early part of this century, dramatically and vividly portrayed in the classic film, "Inherit the Wind."

For those interested in the controversy, viewing this film would help to sharpen the controversy and uncover the basic issues. The basic issue for those of religious faith, especially those who believe in the literal word of the bible, is that the theory of evolution casts doubt on the veracity of the bible rolex replica watches

. Those whose religious belief does not depend on the literal truth of the bible, but understanding the bible as allegory and mythology, history and poetry, would not have as much trouble with the theory of evolution.

There has to be some explanation for carbon dating of rocks, the existence of fossils and the uncovering of apparent links between the ape and the Patrimony Replica

human. The fact that the gorilla and chimpanzee DNA is 99% identical to man's is quite suggestive. There are many such laboratory 'facts', but evolution is still a theory. Nowadays, it is almost a compelling theory, which even the Vatican has taken into consideration.

It must be remembered that the religious hierarchy eventually had to bend to the facts presented by Copernicus and Gallileo, because of the fact that the earth was shown not to be the center of the universe. For many, at that time, this doubt about the earth's centrality, and our importance to the Creator, was intolerable. It used to be thatRolex Submariner Replica

religious belief could never be doubted or questioned, and those who refused to be 'converted' to religion, were converted into the inorganic state by decapitation or burning.

Vestiges of intolerance to questioning continue to exist. People do not take lightly the questioning of their deepest and most precious beliefs. That is completely understandable. For most people, religion gives them hope and reassurance that this is a meaningful world and life, that we are not merely a speck on a speck in an infinitely miniscule blink of time. We don't like to think of the universe as cold and uncaring. We don't like to think that we may die and be forgotten, that our lives have not added up to much.

Many people remember that famous song of Peggy Lee, with the refrain, "Is that all there is?"

The fact of the matter is that evolution is a theory and creationism is a theory. In science, theories can be verified or falsified, according to the data. In religion, the basic dogma cannot be falsified, as it is not subject to experimentation or statistical analysis. The important ingredient is 'faith,' faith that there is another realm, one that is spiritual, eternal and mysterious. Faith is gained, so it is said, by Breguet Replica

opening one's heart to God, and by making prayerful communication to a spiritual divine being, omniscient and omnipotent, loving and cruel, One who has a grand plan that is not discernable to mere mortals. For many people, religion is a source of stability, of mental health and morals, values and ethics. Without it, they think we would be back in the jungle of the stone age, indistinguishable from the lower animals.

The bible writers were correct and on target when they said that humans created by God had 'dominion' over the animals of the land, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea. Our dominion is such that we are unbalancing the ecosystem, for which future generations might have to pay. Whether this unbalancing is serious or insigificant remains a subject of contention.

Similarly, the competition between the logic of science and the logic of religion remains a subject of contention. But this contention is not necessary. It will be a good thing for students to be reminded that science is full of theories, which only means that the latest theory is the best way of explaining or trying to understand the available facts. Experiments and new data can always change the theory.

It would be a good thing for scientists to be more humble Tag Heuer Aquaracer Replica

about their theories, and not treat them as 'facts'. There is a big difference between a fact and an opinion, a fact and a theory. The trouble seems to be that religious belief cannot be disproven by facts. Facts can always be dismissed as untrue or irrelevent.

The probable difference between those with faith in science and those with faith in religion, is the early background of the individual, in his or her family and subculture, which may or may not include religious indoctrination. Almost all people who have a strong religious belief, continue to believe what they learned in childhood. Almost all people whose faith is in science, were brought up to think that way. Some people were brought up Cartier Santos Replica Watch

without religious teaching and became religious in time, while others who Rolex Day Date Replica

were brought up with religion, eventually gave it up as they saw it from a later perspective Hamilton Replica Watch

. What makes the difference is a mystery.

Dr Bloom is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and on the editorial board of the Wayne County Medical Society. He welcomes comments at his email address--- vbloom@comcast.net.