Creationism vs Evolution... not the usual 2cents.
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:51 pm
So, recently whether some are aware or not.. a poll was taken in the UK (amongst other countries, but we focus on the UK for the purpose of numbers) and the poll showed that out of 990~ people around 51% believed that evolution and creationism should be taught parallel to one another in schools. This can be further broken down to the point where some believed that both should be taught in Science lessons, others believed R.S (R.E) should be left for creationism and the study of other religions. In total a full 75% of the population completely agreed with the teaching of evolution as a indisputable scientific theory, the other 25% being indifferent or against it.
At the same time, it has been stressed by the British government that they do not endorse the acceptance of intelligent design or creationism as viable topics of reasonable focus for school education beyond the confines of R.S.
When it comes down to it.. I believe in several points on the issue.
firstly the belief that a scientific theory is so exclusively correct is a fool hardly cause no matter the facts. To this day Science remains a dynamic discipline with regards to theories and things generally accepted as fact. Despite this truer view on science, too many ignorant sods are all too willing to follow it's current dogmatic regime to the letter making awfully illogical conclusions from certain theories. Even more annoying are the people who cling very desperately to every sheep socially made conclusion when they know very little regarding the actual subject.
Secondly is the mere fact that.. all of a sudden arguments for intelligent design and even the further explored adaptations of creationism are being abhorred and dismissed as nothing more than fantasy on a political level. Something I find a tremendous statement of stupidity and an insult not to my own personal beliefs, but to others I do hold dear. A lot of people are all too quick to come to the conclusion that due to no direct empirical evidence for the non physical (an oxymoron..
) that directly means such a thing cannot exist. The absence of evidence is being taken as disproof. Something I find even more absurd when, in my opinion at least. If Occam's Razor or just simple logic is applied.. Intelligent Design is an acceptable theory that fits with science very well...although I am not so naive as to not suspect the presence of seeking satisfaction when faced with oblivion.
Thirdly is the subject of 'choice' (removing the question of whether we have it or not for the sake of progress here..) Both subjects should surely be taught with equal weight to allow people to make their own decisions (a point based mainly on the fact creationism has not been completely disproved...I throw out Descartes brain in a vat argument for consideration) I say this for several reasons.
-Firstly I do not believe children should be forced to face the prospect of their mortality at such a young age, imagination and peace of mind (whether it's false and necessary or not).
-Secondly religion has massive benefits in modern society with regards to moral code and personal discipline not to mention it can add a easily accepted meaning to life that I know a lot of people do need.
-Thirdly I already mentioned the presence of the fact we cannot remove (although it IS reasonable to do so, but doing so leaves us with intelligent design anyway) Descartes point about the brain in a vat of malicious demon. The point being...everything we know, all memories and empirical evidence could just be being fed to us and there may be no actual history.
Ultimately Evolution should be taught in science. Creationism should be taught in R.S, both as view points or facts depending on the circumstances. Intelligent design should be hinted at/referred to in both as a viable option, but not fact. Both subjects should be mandatory until school options and finally each subject tutor should be aware of the facts of the other system and be knowledgeable enough to mix and match fairly.
[spoiler]On a personal note.. I do believe and recognise evolution as a fact. I am also open to the idea of intelligent design and do support it as being a more logical answer to a lot of things, though I keep that separate from the commonly conceived 'God' and other things such as the afterlife and Christianity etc etc to which I have a different set of beliefs and systems (ultimately residing myself to "we don't know" which is the simple and truthful fact of the matter).[/spoiler]
At the same time, it has been stressed by the British government that they do not endorse the acceptance of intelligent design or creationism as viable topics of reasonable focus for school education beyond the confines of R.S.
When it comes down to it.. I believe in several points on the issue.
firstly the belief that a scientific theory is so exclusively correct is a fool hardly cause no matter the facts. To this day Science remains a dynamic discipline with regards to theories and things generally accepted as fact. Despite this truer view on science, too many ignorant sods are all too willing to follow it's current dogmatic regime to the letter making awfully illogical conclusions from certain theories. Even more annoying are the people who cling very desperately to every sheep socially made conclusion when they know very little regarding the actual subject.
Secondly is the mere fact that.. all of a sudden arguments for intelligent design and even the further explored adaptations of creationism are being abhorred and dismissed as nothing more than fantasy on a political level. Something I find a tremendous statement of stupidity and an insult not to my own personal beliefs, but to others I do hold dear. A lot of people are all too quick to come to the conclusion that due to no direct empirical evidence for the non physical (an oxymoron..
) that directly means such a thing cannot exist. The absence of evidence is being taken as disproof. Something I find even more absurd when, in my opinion at least. If Occam's Razor or just simple logic is applied.. Intelligent Design is an acceptable theory that fits with science very well...although I am not so naive as to not suspect the presence of seeking satisfaction when faced with oblivion. Thirdly is the subject of 'choice' (removing the question of whether we have it or not for the sake of progress here..) Both subjects should surely be taught with equal weight to allow people to make their own decisions (a point based mainly on the fact creationism has not been completely disproved...I throw out Descartes brain in a vat argument for consideration) I say this for several reasons.
-Firstly I do not believe children should be forced to face the prospect of their mortality at such a young age, imagination and peace of mind (whether it's false and necessary or not).
-Secondly religion has massive benefits in modern society with regards to moral code and personal discipline not to mention it can add a easily accepted meaning to life that I know a lot of people do need.
-Thirdly I already mentioned the presence of the fact we cannot remove (although it IS reasonable to do so, but doing so leaves us with intelligent design anyway) Descartes point about the brain in a vat of malicious demon. The point being...everything we know, all memories and empirical evidence could just be being fed to us and there may be no actual history.
Ultimately Evolution should be taught in science. Creationism should be taught in R.S, both as view points or facts depending on the circumstances. Intelligent design should be hinted at/referred to in both as a viable option, but not fact. Both subjects should be mandatory until school options and finally each subject tutor should be aware of the facts of the other system and be knowledgeable enough to mix and match fairly.
[spoiler]On a personal note.. I do believe and recognise evolution as a fact. I am also open to the idea of intelligent design and do support it as being a more logical answer to a lot of things, though I keep that separate from the commonly conceived 'God' and other things such as the afterlife and Christianity etc etc to which I have a different set of beliefs and systems (ultimately residing myself to "we don't know" which is the simple and truthful fact of the matter).[/spoiler]
... There are many people that beleive creationism to the point of adam and eve. Maybe you should educate yourself on that area. That is where I draw the line on creationism, those that beleive creationism as taught from the bible. Don't attack me because you don't understand my post, simply ask for more information. I was not trying to put down all relgious beleifs, just that I find it incredibly hard to beleive that life really begun ~6,000 years ago with 2 humans.
hero!