Creationism Seeks to Refute Evolution
How Do Creationists Counter the Evidence for Evolution?
Jul 17, 2009
Both evolutionists and creationists have access to the same information and observations (evidence) concerning the origin and diversity of life on this planet. Controversy between the two dogmas arises because each group chooses to interpret the evidence differently.
What is Creationism?
Creationism is the belief that humanity, all life, the Earth, and the entire universe were created in the form we know today by a supernatural being (God). In fundamentalist Christianity, creationism is usually based on a literal reading of the Book of Genesis (Genesis 1) from the Bible. Most forms of creationism stand opposed to naturalistic evolution. Recently, a faction of creationists have attempted to rework creationism in a more scientific and empirical fashion. This reworking of creationism has been labeled Intelligent Design.
The Creationist Contention
What do creationists believe? The following statements are a blending of the beliefs of several different forms of creationism.
Astronomy and Cosmology
1. The entire universe and all the objects in it including earth were created by a divine power (God) around 6,000 – 10,000 years ago as detailed in Genesis.
2. Earth’s rotation is slowing indicating a young earth.
3. There is not enough helium in the atmosphere for an old earth.
4. The dust on the moon is not deep enough for an old universe.
5. Helmholtz’s contraction theory indicates a young sun.
Geology
1. The earth is 6,000 – 10,000 years old, not billions of years as claimed by evolutionists.
2. Radiometric dating is based on false assumptions and gives unreliable results.
3. The geologic column is sometimes out of order.
4. Sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolomite layers are too extensive for normal deposition.
5. There is not enough sediment in the ocean for an old earth.
6. The ocean does not have enough minerals for an old earth.
7. Mountains would have eroded away by now on an old earth.
8. The decaying magnetic field of the earth indicates a young earth.
Paleontology
1. There are no transitional fossils.
2. Some fossils have been misidentified while others are completely fraudulent.
Biology
1. Life never appeared spontaneously. Even primitive life forms are too complex to have arisen in that manner.
2. God created all life forms (species) 6,000 – 10,000 years ago. Macroevolution does not occur so no new species ever form.
3. Early conglomerations of molecules would have been destroyed by ultraviolet light.
4. Mutations are rare, harmful, and do not lead to new features or species.
5. Functional genetic sequences are too rare to have evolved from one into the other.
6. Some organs and organ systems – the eye, the brain, the inner ear, and so on – are so irreducibly complex that they could not possibly have evolved.
7. Evolution cannot explain human consciousness or intelligence nor can it explain art, music, human morality, and religion.
Not All Religions Reject Evolution
The Catholic Church seems to be rethinking its position on evolution. In February, 2009, the Vatican admitted that Darwin’s theory of evolution should not have been dismissed and that naturalistic evolution is compatible with the Christian view of creation. In fact, Catholic theologians claim the idea of evolution can be traced to St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Vatican also plays down the concept of Intelligent Design preferring to discuss it as a “cultural phenomenon” and not as a scientific or theological issue. Theologians also point out that Darwin’s theory has never been formally condemned by the Roman Catholic Church as evidenced by comments made 50 years ago by Pope Pius XII when he stated that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study.
The Episcopal Church has adopted the position that Darwin's theory of evolution does not conflict with the Christian faith. In 2006, the General Convention affirmed, via Resolution A129, that God is creator and added that "the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith."
Creationism can be described as the belief that God created everything as completely and truthfully described in Genesis 1 of the Bible. While most creationists stand vigorously opposed to the tenets of naturalistic evolution, not all religions share that opposition.
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