Co-Existence of Evolutionary and Creationist Ideas in a Post-Darwinian Society

Ever since Darwin published The Origin of Species, creationists have offered a competing explanation for the diversity of life on earth and its features. This paper addresses several commonly encountered topics of controversy between creationists and evolutionists. It proceeds to point out the scientific reasoning that allows the evolutionary theorists to draw their conclusions, and how the creationists respond accordingly to these facts as presented. It will use the example of the age of the earth as determined by radiometric dating, as well as the relationship of extinct to extant species, to examine creationist arguments in light of scientific discovery. Specifically, it will address creationist interpretations of the fossil record supporting these relationships and creationist discussion of the morphological continuity between related, extinct taxa. Finally, this paper addresses the place of creationism in today's society, both in the classroom and in the chapel, and its likelihood of persistence into the future.