Issues in the Creation-Evolution Controversies

Darwin's theory of evolution has produced more widespread and bitter controversy than any other theory in the history of Western science. Except for the infamous condemnation of Galileo by the medieval Catholic Church, there wasn't much fuss over Copernicus' heliocentric theory of the solar system. Relatively little controversy greeted Harvey's theory of the circulation of the blood, Newton's theory of gravitation, Mendel's theory of biological inheritance, or Einstein's theory of relativity. Only Darwin's theory has provoked radical and enduring differences of opinion among large numbers of people. Even now, almost a century and a half after it was proposed, it continues to be the focus of heated scientific disagreements, bitterly contested court cases, and politically charged school board debates.