"The theories of evolution and creationism have been clashing in courtrooms for over 70 years. Schoolhouses are once again a site of this battle, as debates rage on which theory belongs in the science classroom. State legislatures, seeking to define the roles of church and state, continue to grapple with how to teach religious issues in the classroom.
The theory of evolution holds that self replicating, single-celled organisms developed from complex organic molecules in our planet's nutrient-rich seas about 3.5 billion years ago. Over time, genetic mutations produced increasingly varied and complex organisms which were better adapted to an ever-changing environment. Scientists say
evidence supporting the theory of evolution includes fossil records, the existence of similar structures in different animals, and the fact that all living things share similar biochemistry. They say the theory of evolution is not only scientifically valid--it is the unifying theory of biology.
Yet, that mankind evolved from apelike creatures--much less a one-celled organism--remains impossible for some people to believe. Creationists, by contrast, hold to a literal interpretation of the Biblical story of Genesis--that God created the world in a single act approximately 6,000 years ago--and that human beings, animals, and other forms of life exist today much as they did then. To many creationists, suggesting otherwise is heresy." (1997, Editorial Projects in Education)
Oh, you know me, Freddy--I'm not likely to be found anywhere near a course on hermenuetics (I'm too busy scheduling surgery to get a very complete dictionary implanted in my brain at the moment). I must say I do love snakes--but not poisonous ones. However, I do not think that my love of them indicates anything about my character or spiritual beliefs. I think you might be stereotyping there, which I am sure you would argue is not really very fair.
I have culled the above brief definitions of creationism and evolutionary science from the web. Do you accept these, or would you like to suggest some of your own? Is six thousand significantly more than several thousand? I don't really think so--I lost so much in the market last year that these small distinctions pale.
Oh, Freddy, new car!!! Since you ridiculed my old Volvo to death, I bought a 1970 Mercedes in mint condition, totally cherried out. It gets up to 125 mph really fast!!! I hope those SmogCheck 2 people don't find me for awhile!!! I think they are coming to your neighborhood first, anyway, if they can find it in the smog!!!!
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