Creationism

I recently had the unfortunate luck to witness a conversation between two family members about human creation. Family Member 1 argued that God created the universe and that humans are not the product of evolution. This is what she believes. FM 2 agreed that the human body could not have evolved to its present level of complexity, but rather than God creating humans, a master alien race 'seeded' us here.

The resurgence of creationism over recent decades seems to have had the unfortunate (though not unexpected) effect of legitimizing stupidity, by telling people that their beliefs, whatever they may be, should be considered equal to, or often more valid than, empirical, scientific knowledge.

The development of scientific methodology over the past 500 years is what accounts for the technological and medical advances from which we all benefit. When this period is compared to the preceding 500 years, the difference is clear. Superstition, church law, and conjecture were gradually replaced by rigorous experimentation, testable hypotheses, and dispassionate analysis. Unsubstantiated belief is not on a par with knowledge gained through scientific, data-driven investigation.

We cannot deny what is before our eyes by glibly saying 'well those are my beliefs'. When fact challenges belief we do not deny fact, we re-examine belief. It is what proved that the earth is round and that it orbits the sun. Could I deny these facts and simply say that this is what I believe? Yes I could. Should I expect to be taken seriously? Absolutely not.