Creationism, God and the Classroom
Here we explore three difficult issues raised
by Darwin's theory. There is, most fundamentally, a challenge
to the very idea that we are evolved via natural processes. So-called
creationists or creation scientists (more recently, intelligent
design theorists), have mounted a sustained and publicly effective
campaign against evolutionary theory. Is there anything to the
creationist challenge? Second, and related, there is the vexed
issue of whether and/or how to teach evolution in the classroom.
In a society largely committed to a literal interpretation of
genesis, should children be required to learn evolution? Should
creationism be given equal time? Third, we shall pursue the more
general question of the relation between evolution and religion.
Does evolution undermine theism? Can one believe in God and accept
evolution as true? Our goal in what follows is not to answer
these questions or settle these issues definitively. Rather,
it is designed to serve as a starting point for further reflection
and discussion.
|