THERE IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE between creationism and science. Most
creationists, starting with the premise that the words of the Bible must be
taken entirely at face value, go on to conclude, for instance, that the Earth
was created in just six days, roughly 10 000 years ago. Fair enough. Though such
opinions fly in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, everyone is
entitled to their beliefs.
But alarm bells start ringing when a belief system such as this is hailed as
science and鈥攎ore significantly鈥攗sed to undermine well-established
scientific theories. Make no mistake鈥攃reationism is backed by a powerful
lobby. Last year鈥檚 decision by the Kansas Board of Education to ban the teaching
of evolution in state schools was just the tip of a titanic iceberg. The roots
of the movement are deep and it spreads far beyond the Bible Belt and even
beyond North America
(see 鈥淯nnatural selection鈥�).
One of American creationism鈥檚 movers and shakers once trained as a scientist.
In 鈥淭ake me to your leader鈥�, you can see what he has to say.
You can also find out what happened
to Australian geologist Ian Plimer when he decided to take on creationists in
court
(鈥淚鈥檇 do it all again鈥�).
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Some would argue that science invites attack when it purports to explain
everything there is to know about the world
(鈥淵ou asked for it鈥�). On the
other hand, consider the experiences鈥攁nd advice鈥攐f a practised
defender of science against the creationist onslaught
(鈥淔ighting talk鈥�).
Or, if you want to dig deeper, there鈥檚 a guide to the best books from both sides
(鈥淎ccording to the book鈥︹��).
Above all, don鈥檛 sit back and assume creationism will go away. It may have
taken the most fervid of fundamentalists to create this monster, but now it is
steadily growing鈥攁nd evolving.
