Autumn 1999 -- Volume 37 No. 4 - What Is Creationism?

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What is Creationism?

by Spike Tyson

First let’s get some definitions from Webster:

science n. Abbr. sc., sci. 1.a. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena. c. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study. 2. Methodological activity, discipline, or study. 3. An activity that appears to require study and method. 4. Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.

theory n., pl. theories. 1.a. Systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena. b. Such knowledge or such a system. 2. Abstract reasoning; speculation. 3. A belief that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment. 4. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

fact n. 1. Information presented as objectively real. 2. A real occurrence; an event. 3.a. Something having real, demonstrable existence. b. The quality of being real or actual.

proof n. Abbr. prf. 1. The evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true. 2.a. The validation of a proposition by application of specified rules, as of induction or deduction, to assumptions, axioms, and sequentially derived conclusions. b. A statement or an argument used in such a validation. 3.a. Convincing or persuasive demonstration. b. The state of being convinced or persuaded by consideration of evidence. 4. Determination of the quality of something by testing; trial.

myth n. 1.a. A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the world view of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society. b. Such stories considered as a group. 2. A story, a theme, an object, or a character regarded as embodying an aspect of a culture. 3. A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology. 4. A fictitious story, person, or thing.

Now on to the argument. What is Creationism?

It cannot be science because it fails the test “The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.”

It cannot be a theory because it fails as “Systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena.” This is because it does not “explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena” using “a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure.”

It cannot be a fact; it fails completely on that one.

It can not be any form of proof because it fails to follow “The validation of a proposition by application of specified rules, as of induction or deduction, to assumptions, axioms, and sequentially derived conclusions.”

So we are left with creationism being a myth - because it is “A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the world view of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society.”

Oh yes, to be sure theories have changed; but, as they say, “A fact is a fact” and the fact, “Something having real, demonstrable existence,” is that we, as a species, have evolved and that evolution is real. The theories change - from Jean Baptiste Lamarck, to Erasmus Darwin, to Charles Darwin, to Stephen Gould the reasons behind the theories and the theories themselves change - but the fact that evolution is real remains.

I agree that we must “expose the children to ALL ‘theories’ (as defined by Webster), and let them make their own decisions.” And as I have shown creationism is NOT a theory. It is a myth and does not belong in the schools science program and it is NOT science.

My Turn!

This department invites editorial-type comment on issues of interest to Atheists. Articles should be approximately one magazine page in length.