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Evolution

Explore the clash between religious orthodoxy and scientific theory regarding the origin of life. Examine the Genesis creation story and Darwin's laws of evolution, and discover the implications of these different world views. Learn about the legalities of teaching religion in schools and find resources for further investigation.

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Evolution

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  1. Evolution or Creation? South Cheshire & North Staffordshire Humanists,info@humanists.org.uk

  2. 1859: Darwin’s “Origin” challenged religious orthodoxy

  3. Creationism The Genesis Story (King James Version) • In the beginning God created heaven and earth. • Day 1: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. • Day 2: And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. • Day 3: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass and the fruit tree yield fruit. • Day 4: And God created great whales, and every living creature. • Day 5: And God said, Go forth and multiply each living creature after his kind: and it was so. • Day 6: And God said, Let us make man in our image and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air…

  4. The Genesis story implies… • The creation events took place over six 24-hour days, after which all creating ceased • Life was created 6,000-8,000 years ago (not enough time for evolution to occur). • How realistic is this? • How does scientific theory compare?

  5. Darwin’s “Laws of Evolution”… • Reproduction leads to the inheritance of characteristics • Variability in inherited traits (genetic mutation..) • Populations tend to outstrip the means of subsistence causing a struggle for life (after Thomas Malthus) • Natural selection of varieties and species better fitted to the environment, and the extinction of others. “Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death…the production of higher animals directly follows.”“p. 408 Conclusion of “The Origin”)

  6. Progress of evolution… • From simple to more complex organisms • Increasing diversity • Able to adapt and survive in a greater range of environmental settings • Through natural selection – the strongest or most adaptable species to its environment survives

  7. ?

  8. World-view Implications… • Creationism:man is special, different from animals; put here for a purpose; God is in control • Evolution: man is an advanced animal; man has control and it is survival of the fittest

  9. Is teaching religion banned? • First Amendment of the US Constitution states, "Congress shall make no laws regarding the establishment of religion, or inhibiting the free exercise thereof.” • public institutions must be religiously-neutral: schools can neither promote nor exclude religious expression.

  10. So what can teachers teach? • It is legal for a teacher to teach about religion, as long as one is not taking a side. • One can describe a religion, or religious views, and can discuss controversies involving religion, but it would not be proper to take sides -Originally published on PBS Online, May, 2000

  11. Evolution cartoons…

  12. More investigation • http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/evolution.htm • http://ncse.com/evolution/education/cans-cants-teaching-evolution

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