The origin of life is an interesting topic, especially to academia. It creates lines of divisions within the scientific community, theological communities and amongst non-scientific and the non-theological minded. In other words nobody has the answer, we just don’t know it yet.
Belief is a funny thing. Several years ago I was in a lounge in Vancouver with a few business partners attending Comdex, a computer exposition. Earlier in the day we had been walking in an indoor mall when the four of us entered a bookstore. As group dynamics dictate, we all split to our different interests. I was a new convert to Christianity, so I went to the religious section. One of my business partners Dale, went to the science fiction section, a section I normally would have had my nosed pressed in. I bought a non-fiction book “God and the Philosophers” and my friend bought a Star Trek book. Nothing was said to me, and we continued to Comdex.
Back in the lounge and my now slightly inebriated friend stood over me and with a slurred voice, holding his drink in one hand, Dale said, “What is with the religious book crap!” Being a confronted new Christian I replied, “What do you mean?”
"I mean, this God crap you bought in the book store, I know you man, there is no way you can be religious. You’re not fooling me!” Dale said, “Everyone knows there is no God.”
The only response I could think of was “Why don’t you believe in a God?” Dale was quick to reply, “Because there is no God, haven’t you been watching Star Trek.” To be fair to my friend, popular television has a way of writing stories that convey a particular worldview. Star Trek had at that time run a series of episodes where evolution was strongly conveyed. In one particular episode the main character Captain Picard was taken to the beginning of time, and showed a green puddle of slime and was told that one day that was going to be him. For many, Star Trek is a religion all to itself.
After a few “Why” questions to my friends response I got it out of him that it was the loss of a loved one that had convinced him that God could not be good nor real. We never spoke again of this even though we had created a line of division an understanding had been forged between two friends. That was fifteen years ago.
The debate between Creation and Evolution still wages on. Recent moves from the Alberta government allowing parents to opt their children out of classes from religion to sex education has caused a stir among members of the Alberta Teacher Association. Since the belief in Creation is viewed as pure religion, it will come under this particular legislation. Since science has not found evidence like transitional fossils or other proof of Evolution therefore making it a discipline of more faith than fact, should teaching Evolution also fall under classes’ parents can opt their children out of?
So you may ask why would I take this position? First I truly believe that since nobody really has the answer to the origins of life, both views of creation and evolution should be taught in our schools as an academic standard. This would allow a balanced education on the subject matter.
A recent article in the Edmonton Journal titles, “Human race outside Africa owes existence to a small tribe.” The article states that science have evidence that genetically links all races of man to one ancient tribe in northern Africa.
Interesting how the biblical Book of Genesis also point to a an area in north Africa where a small group of people lived, that being the biblical family of Adam, Eve, and their children which included Cain and Abel. Although to many the Book of Genesis has a rudimentary view of origins, it seems that science has provided an argument for biblical creation.
Then in the same edition another story from the scientific community stated, “Discovery of sponge-like body believed to be oldest evidence of animal life,” This story tells of fossilized life found atop a N.W.T. mountain. The angle of this piece was cited as evidence of Evolution, and pointed to what could be that green slime Captain Picard originated from.
The simple point being is that, if our children are not allowed to be educated in both disciplines of thought, stories like these would not have the same affect. Someone who is never been exposed to Creation would never get that affirmation feeling when they read of a genetic link to one tribe for all races. A feeling that even someone who had studied Evolution could get that same affirmation feeling from this same story.
The lines of division created by these two opposing worldviews, in my mind can work together to get to the truth. This is the basic goal of science. To study nature and learn the truth behind all things we observe in this world.
Meanwhile, until those in power, those who teach and those whose parent, dance around the issues of creation vs. evolution. A generation passes without the full benefit of learning both sides of the original coin. Until then we shall know the truth and the truth will set us free.
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