Let biologists explain origin
According to a 2005 poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, 58 percent of Americans believe that “creationism was definitely or probably true” and another 38 percent of Americans favor “teaching creationism instead of evolution.”
Creationists maintain that the diversity of species on Earth is due to a creative act, usually attributed to a divine being.
This is not a scientific concept, but an idea grounded in religious belief.
Contrary to another popular misconception, the theory of evolution is not controversial, at least, not in biology.
“It’s basically a fact that is now working for us but may well be falsified in the future if it fails to work for us,” said professor of biology Julian Hilliard.
“[A]ll of the evidence we have now in biology is that evolution is the single most valuable idea we have to use in terms of where species come from, how they’re all related to each other and how they operate within an ecological or phylogenetic (relating to a specie’s evolutionary history) framework.”
Hilliard continues to explain “There is no controversy about this in biology among biologists.
There is no counter culture in biology attempting to disprove evolution.”
If there is no controversy about this subject in biology, why is 58 percent of the public convinced otherwise?
A breakdown in biology education combined with the well-known attempts of Creationists to infiltrate the science classrooms has left many confused.
This disconnect is caused by the influence of authority figures (teachers, parents, politicians, religious figures) and a lack of critical thinking on the part of those they influence.
The facts and evidence supporting evolution are well published and abundant. Anyone who can read has access to them. So what does this say about anyone who claims any other origin of species? They must consider their own unsubstantiated beliefs superior to the findings of hard science.
Contrary to yet another misconception, acceptance of the principles of evolution is not a choice between religion and science. There are many people who have no problem reconciling their faith with science.
If a deity had any creative input on the development of life, evolution was the tool it used.
This much of the question about the origin of species science can answer and has answered.
—John Weis
Staff Writer
