by George Ferrell

Created on: May 13, 2009

The modern battle between "Creationism" and textbook advocates for Darwinism is probably much more moderate than debates that occurred in the 1920's and 1930's when the debate in the early years after the Scopes trial often bordered on force in some communities.

When Charles Darwin published "The Origin of the Species" showing his research on minor changes in small birds over time he probably did not want to show that man was evolved from an Ape.

Somehow the idea became debated and the trial in Dayton, Tennessee, became a national spectacle that largely left the debate open from that day on.

Churches and their members felt the theory of evolution was in direct opposition to scripture and fought the issue over the years with "Creationism" taking form in the 1970's with textbook debates and other conflicts playing out in schools and courtrooms over the years.

And, in academic circles, the search for the missing link has led to announcements of new discoveries over the years, showing various evolving species. I believe there is no verifiable proof that mankind descinded or evolved from apes, but that the two fields, religion and science may never reach agreement.

There is a possibility that textbook advocates and scientists could agree that both contentions, the Genesis account in the Old Testament, and academic views supporting evolution, are just that - two different fields, theology and science, and that both have honorable and proper views.

That context, admitting both views, but not deciding correctness, would allow science to be taught and Religious views to be contexted as conscience.

While the debate from the 20's and 30's at times neared violence in some communities, the arguments over this issue in recent decades have led to battles between proponents of Biblical believers and schools that hold to evolution.

If one side won't allow for the existence of the other's beliefs, then arguments can only worsen. Each side may have their beliefs - religion in conscience and scripture, and scientists in their interpretation of the world's history.

And the Creationists have built up decades of support for their Biblical interpretation with museums and theme parks, but their vision of mankind's beginnings is not necessarily shared by all in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

In greater society, the conflicts aren't as divisive nowadays, and possibly many people accept one or the other, or both without much arguing.

And in schools and communities this issue isn't as hotly debated as it may have been 50 or 80 years ago. The possibility of contexting the issues and allowing for conscience and academic approaches might be the best way to go.

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