Evolution vs. Creationism by Tori Durst The Ranger Features editor

The debate on evolution has made its way back to the school grounds.

Evolution is in the news again with an inquiry filed a few weeks ago by the U.S. Justice Department at Texas Tech University in response to allegations of religious discrimination by the university and biology Professor Michael Dini.

Dini has been criticized for refusing to write letters of recommendation for students who do not believe in the evolution theory.

Everyone can agree with the simple fact that there are small changes occurring every day in plants, animals and humans. In general, changes occur everywhere on this Earth. The word evolution itself means "change", but not everyone agrees on the "theory" of evolution.

"Fifty years ago, the number of six-foot 14-year-olds was very few, and now one-third of the class is six feet tall," said Dr. Robert Bauman, chairman of the biology department. Martin Birkenfeld, supervisor of the biology learning lab, said, there are dietary and evolutionary changes. "Dietary changes can affect evolutionary changes and visa versa," Birkenfeld said. "The term 'evolution' means 'change.'"

The theory of evolution includes the idea that the current human form arose originally from ancestral primates.

The controversy over evolution is what should be taught has been fought in the state courts and even federal courts since the landmark Scopes Trial in 1925. The trial increased public support for evolution being taught in schools.

In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for states to require the teaching of creation.

According to evolutionary biologist Michael Zimmerman, "the Supreme Court ruling did not, in any way, outlaw the teaching of 'creation science' in public school classrooms. Quite simply, it ruled that, in the form taken by the Louisiana law, it is unconstitutional to demand equal time for this particular subject. 'Creation science' can still be brought into science classrooms if and when teachers and administrators feel that it is appropriate," according to an October 1987 New York Times story.

Dr. R.E. Byrd, vice president and dean of instruction, said it is not a requirement that a professor believe in evolution to teach biology at the college. He said there is latitude on how they present the material in their classrooms.

"We are concerned with whether they know the discipline they are teaching," Byrd said. "Students should challenge something if they feel it is inappropriate, and they should let that be known to the appropriate people."

The theory of creation science is that the divine creation of man is true as told in the Hebrew and Christian Bible, that God created the earth, animals and humans.

Another theory, called intelligent design, states that the material universe resulted from conscious action outside itself and that the universe as a whole shows evidence of design.

Lindsey Thorne, a public relations major, said she believes in intelligent design. "I think there is too much intelligent design for it to just happen," she said.

Bauman said there is no evidence that small changes lead to large changes. He said Darwin was the one who discovered there are small changes.

Evolution is the basis of modern biology, Birkenfeld said. "It is like the number system to mathematics," he said.

Bauman said three theories of evolution are: the Darwinism theory and New Darwinism, both of which include gradual change, and Punctuated Equilibriumism, which means everything remains the same and it is punctuated with rapid change.

"You can look at the facts and interpret them in more than one way," Bauman said. "A good scientist should collect the facts and then develop the theories; but a good scientist shouldn't say his theory is the only fact."

A theory is an imperfect fact. The Heliocentric Theory is that the sun rotates around the earth; it still is called a theory even though we know it is true, Bauman said. "A theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the world," according to the PBS Web site. "A scientific theory stands until proven wrong. It is never proven correct. The Darwinism theory of evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific theories."

Pete Gonzalez, a graphic design teacher, said the theory of evolution isn't just a "theory."

"Both require a certain amount of belief," Gonzalez said. "You either believe we came from monkeys or that we were made by God. In essence, the belief of evolution would be a religion."

According to the WGBH Educational Foundation, evolution does not prove there is no God. "Many people, from evolutionary biologists to important religious figures like Pope John Paul II, contend that the time-tested theory of evolution does not refute the presence of God," according to the PBS Web site. "Science has nothing to say one way or the other about people's spiritual beliefs."

"I think we should offer every point of view," Gonzalez said. "I don't mind evolution being taught, but they need to teach creationism and let the students decide. We aren't here to offer morality, but a professor who teaches it can't be biased toward one theory."

Some of the biology faculty don't think creation science should be taught in science classrooms.

"It is not a science, as a faith-based belief system, but it could be presented in a faith-based class," said Nichol Dolby, a biology instructor.

"I don't think it should be taught, because creation science is not a science," Birkenfeld said. "It would be short-changing the students to teach creation science."

Birkenfeld said evolution has been tested and retested and that creation science cannot do that. "We have so much evidence backing up evolution, and creation science has only one basis, and it is not a scientific theory." he said. "Judges have ruled that."

Patrick Richardson, a nursing major, said he believes in evolution and doesn't think creation science has been proven. "I really don't think it has enough evidence," Richardson said. "I think we all probably swam at one point."

Richardson said, however, "It wouldn't hurt anything to give you, the students, the chance to decide for yourself."

Gonzalez said the theory of evolution never has been seen and that it never has been proven.

If things were created, Bauman asked, what would we expect to find in fossils? What we do find, he said, is that fossils suddenly appeared.

Thorn said she thinks both creation science and evolution should be taught.

"The whole reason for education is to keep your mind open, and they should teach both things," she said.

Steve Pair, a liberal arts major, said, "Both should be taught to offer a wide range of knowledge -- which is what schools are supposed to do."

Pair said he believes in creation but still thinks evolution should be taught.

Five biology faculty members would not comment.