Evolution as the Complex Mechanism of Creation - Essay Example

Evolution as the complex mechanism of creation Introduction Evolution is the process of change in the characteristics of a group or individual organisms from one generation to the next. These changes from generation to generation maybe so small but as they accumulate over time they may cause substantial changes in the over-all characters or appearance of that organisms. This powerful theory is what scientists used to explain such phenomena as "the history of life preserved in the fossil record; the genetic, molecular, and physical similarities and differences among organisms; and the geographic distribution of organisms today and in the past" (Pojeta and Springer v). The evolutionary process is so complex that since its introduction during the time of Charles Darwin, it received so much skepticism among the science communities. The strongest opposition was with the religious communities since it was perceived to be a direct attack on the principles of creation and a direct threat to the religious faith. But as time has passed by a lot of new evidences, facts, and scientific discoveries, and new fossils unearthed the theory gained wide acceptance within the scientific communities. Those believers of both science and religion begin to shift their views and use both the knowledge of evolution and creation in a positive way. Today many believed evolution is a mere elaboration and an explanation of creation, and it clearly shows how magnificent the Creator is. The idea on evolution is even more complex than explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs. The former involves the study of the flow of species and requires linking pieces of evidences to see the real picture. Its like finding and putting jigsaw pieces together in a vast jigsaw puzzle. The dinosaur is just a piece of it. The dinosaur possible have already shown the tangible evidence of its existence, but the evolution theory still have a wide open space to fill up. Mechanism of evolution (A description of the process of evolution with particular attention to the role of the DNA molecule) Biological evolution in the essence is descent with modification. Pojeta and Springer clearly stated that evolution could not occur without genetic variation. The ultimate source of variation is manifested on the changes or mutations in the sequence of the building blocks of the genetic material carried on the chromosomes in eggs and sperm (10). This material is what is called as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This definition encompasses small-scale evolution (changes in gene frequency in a population from one generation to the next) and large-scale evolution (the descent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations). An article published in the Internet entitled "Understanding Evolution" enumerated several mechanisms in the evolution process. Among these the mechanism of mutation basically revolved around DNA modifications. Mutation is a change in gene structure from the original parent genes. This could be brought about by several factors within the organism or of the environment. Dr. Amanda Ewart Toland, postgraduate researcher University of California San Francisco reported that other changes in the genetic structures are introduced as a result of DNA damage through environmental agents including sunlight, tobacco smoke, and radiation. "Although some changes may prove to be harmful or fatal, other changes produce variations that convey a survival advantage to the organism. It is these variations, when passed on, that give advantages to the next generation "(Pojeta and Springer 11) If the genetic change would have favorable effect to the offspring for survival this would be retained and further refined in the future generations with subsequent mutations. Charles Darwin called this process by which favorable variations are passed from generation to generation as "Natural selection." Evolution and its impact on religion (Discuss the religious impacts of teaching evolution and whether mandatory teaching of evolution undermines religious freedom) The teaching of evolution in the school has created resistance in the past because most people think it is against the long accepted idea that God created everything. But the logical minds of people today, even the scientists who believe in God, use the theory as a means to explain God's intelligent creation processes. Stefan Lovgren in an Article for the National Geographic News dated October 18, 2004 reported, "Scientists may be just as likely to believe in God as other people, according to surveys. Some of history's greatest scientific minds, including Albert Einstein, were convinced there is intelligent life behind the universe. Today many scientists say there is no conflict between their faith and their work." Those who believed in creation could further appreciate its beauty if they understand the evolutionary process and consider it the most complex processes used ever to come up with diversified creation that coexisted for millions of years. A religious believer could even say, "Wow this is how complex the Lord has made all these things!" If religious people would be faithful enough to understand there is an "Intelligent Mind" in the creation process it is this evolution theory that explains it. Removing it from school curriculum is just like not allowing common people to read the Bible. Such action proved to be detrimental to the church in the past. They can use the theory for their positive benefit in fact. Because of these they can even encourage the teaching of evolution with due respect to the creationist principle. Evolution an essential element in biology (Consider the scientific impacts of not teaching evolution and whether omission of this topic is responsible behavior for a biology teacher) Although it really doesn't undermine the religious freedom, there are religious groups who really wanted evolution to be taken away from the school. This move would not be a good solution to the controversy. Since evolution is a theory integrated in biological sciences it is fitting to let it stay there. In fact it is hard to understand diversity in biology if we do not consider the evolutionary processes. Things like extinction, mutation, and similar concepts can hardly be explained with perfect creationism. After all, how can a perfect loving God create human with deformities from normal parents. A faithful can accept it as a well of God but a faithful who understands science can justify it with genetics and mutation principles. Without the basic knowledge on evolutionary processes humans would not understand and appreciate the beauty of creations If we look at both concepts with positivism we can see a harmony between the two ideas. As quoted in Lovgren, the harmony can be based on the idea that science is usually good at answering or explaining the "how" question, but religion is good at answering the "why" question. Science can explain how human evolved to the present look, but religion understands deeper why. Conclusion Both evolution and creation have their established principles already. Believing on each of these ideals require faith. We have proposed how these two can work together in harmony. For those who believe on both ideals there a lot of possibilities to teach them But point of reconciliation must be agreed thoroughly so that, as an example, if a biology teacher teaches that God created man from dust he can explain how does the casting took place and for how long in the real time context. This mechanism of teaching can be interesting. Devising the teaching module can be difficult but it can be done. Literature Cited Lovgren, Stefan. "Evolution and Religion Can Coexist, Scientists Say." National Geographic News. October 18, 2004. National Geographic. April 7, 2008. Pojeta, John Jr. and Springer, Dale A. "Evolution and the Fossil Record." AGI American Geological Institute. 2001. American Geologic Institute. April 8, 2008. Toland, Amanda E. "Genetics 101 DNA Mutations". Genetic Health. January 3, 2001. Genetic Health. April 8, 2008. Understanding Evolution. 2008. The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley, and the Regents of the University of California. April 7, 2008. Read More