The Fossil Record: Evolution or "Scientific Creation"

Clifford A. Cuffey

Introduction

Evolution: probably no other scientific theory has generated so much public controversy since Copernicus and Galileo proposed that the sun, not the earth, is the center of our solar system. This is most apparent in the realm of public education where “scientific creationists” repeatedly attempt to either remove evolution from, or add “scientific creation” to, science curricula (Zetterberg, 1983, p. 386-401; Belluck, 1999; Brown, 2000). The controversy was brought to the forefront most recently in Kansas during August, 1999, when the Kansas Board of Education voted to remove much of evolution from the state’s new science curriculum (Belluck, 1999; Scott, 1999a; Brown, 2000).

It is clear, from reading “creation science” books, that a major motivating factor in such efforts is the conviction that evolution is atheistic, anti-God, anti-Christian, and will produce immorality (Morris, 1994, p. 118-136). Nothing could be further from the truth. Morality is relevant and necessary for humans as gregarious animals to live together in societies. Theology, spirituality, and morality inform us why we are here, and provide a purpose for our lives and a code of conduct for us to live by. In contrast, evolution as science independently informs us of when and how we got here.

Dobzhansky (1983) stated that, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution,” and the National Academy of Sciences’ curriculum recommendations (Kennedy et al., 1998) include evolution as a major component of science education. And yet “creation scientists” have convinced some school boards that evolution is invalid and that “creation science” is a better scientific explanation of the origin and diversification of life on earth. If scientists are so certain of evolution, how could this be? What is the evidence for evolution? What is “creation science?”

The purpose of this article is to inform the NOGS membership of the fossil evidence for evolution. In this article, I limit my discussion of evolution to whether or not it has occurred, not the mechanisms that explain how. Then, I will discuss the major tenets of “creation science,” and the primary arguments “creation scientists” present against evolution. Finally, in keeping with the scientific method, it will be possible to objectively evaluate the merits of both evolution and “creation science.”

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