Differences between Creationism and Evolution
Contents
Creationism and Evolution
Creationism is the religious belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of divine creation.[1][2][3] In its most common form, it is based on a literal interpretation of the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis.[2][3] Evolution is a scientific theory in biology that explains how life on Earth has diversified from common ancestors over vast periods.[4][5] The modern theory of evolution is a cornerstone of biology, based on the mechanisms of genetic variation and natural selection.
Creationism and evolution represent fundamentally different approaches to understanding the origins of life. Evolution is a scientific framework that relies on testable evidence, observation, and experimentation. Creationism is based on faith, religious texts, and divine revelation, which are not subject to the methods of scientific inquiry.[3] Within the scientific community, evolution is overwhelmingly accepted, with approximately 98% of scientists supporting it as the explanation for biological diversity. Creationism in its various forms, including intelligent design, is considered a pseudoscience by the scientific community.
Comparison Table
| Category | Creationism | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Core Principle | The universe, Earth, and life were created by a divine being.[1] | Life on Earth diversified from a common ancestor through descent with modification.[4][5] |
| Basis | Interpretation of religious texts (e.g., the Bible's Book of Genesis) and faith.[3] | Empirical evidence from genetics, fossils, anatomy, and direct observation. |
| Age of Earth | [3]| Approximately 4.5 billion years, based on radiometric dating and geological evidence. | |
| Origin of Species | A divine being created distinct "kinds" of organisms, which do not change into other kinds. | Species arise through natural processes, including mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. |
| Human Origins | [3]| Humans evolved from primate ancestors over millions of years. | |
| Scientific Status | Rejected by the scientific community as unscientific. | The unifying, foundational theory of modern biology. |
Intelligent design
Intelligent design (ID) is a form of creationism which posits that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." Proponents argue it is a science-based theory separate from creationism, as it does not identify the designer or rely on religious texts. The scientific community, however, views intelligent design as a pseudoscience, noting its lack of empirical support and testable hypotheses. Courts in the United States have determined that it is a form of creationism and not science.
Legal and educational context in the United States
There has been significant legal conflict in the United States over the teaching of creationism and evolution in public schools. In the 1968 case *Epperson v. Arkansas*, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state laws banning the teaching of evolution were unconstitutional because they violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Later, in *Edwards v. Aguillard* (1987), the Court invalidated a Louisiana law that required "creation science" to be taught alongside evolution, finding that its primary purpose was to advance a particular religious belief.
A subsequent strategy involved promoting intelligent design as a scientific alternative to evolution. This was challenged in the 2005 case *Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District*, where a federal court ruled that intelligent design is not science and is a form of creationism, making its teaching in public school science classes unconstitutional.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "fiveable.me". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "merriam-webster.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "stanford.edu". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "britannica.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
