Creationism or Creativism?

I came across an interesting post in one my favorite blogs the other day, Andrew Sullivan’s The Dish.

The post was entitled Creationism in the Classroom. It presented a map of the U.S. that highlighted states where creationism is taught in tax-payer funded schools.

The point was made, at least in Wisconsin, that creationist-taught students were performing more poorly than students in non-creationist teaching schools.

And then there is the case of Bill Nye the Science Guy railing against the teaching of creationism in schools…saying that it is not appropriate for children.

That erupted into a huge media driven controversy with fundamentalists condemning Nye as a third-rate “scientist” with a liberal anti-Christian agenda.

Should a creationist theory of our universe be taught in school to kids?

And why would we want to do that in the first place?

Well, when we say creationist theory what we really mean is a theory that explains the beginnings of the universe in a way that is consistent with a literal interpretation of the bible…

so really what we are talking about is a “christian-creationist” theory…as opposed to any other religiously inspired explanation for reality.

And one that flies in the face of everything we know to be true about that same universe…based on science.

And that can be a scary way to view the world. Maybe comfortable for those who hold it, but scary as hell for the rest of us.

I once revolved in christian circles and I have heard many of these creationist theoreticians espouse their views. In my opinion…religious crackpots.

But having said that, I do actually believe in it…

creationism, that is…

WTF?

Yes, I do…just not according to a literal interpretation of the bible.

In fact, I believe it is highly illogical NOT to believe it.

Now, I know it can’t be proven according to science (at least not yet), but there are many things that escape absolute scientific provability.

After all, why would scientists dub the Higgs boson the “god particle?”

Good question, ey?

How is it possible that we live in a universe so vast yet so precise without some intelligent designer behind it all?

And I also believe that intelligent designer, or universal force, or god, or whatever you want to call it, has endowed us with a similar ability…

to create.

I believe rather than be concerned with the teaching of bible-based creationism, why not teach creativism?

That is, a theory that accepts the universe as a created work, consistent with scientific facts as we know them…

AND one that encourages that our children duplicate that creative effort throughout their own lives.

The ability to create something out of nothing is unique to our species. And I believe it is the path to true success and happiness in life.

It’s the path of impact.

It’s how differences are made.

It’s how the world gets changed for the better.

It’s what the universe expects of us.

So why aren’t we teaching THAT to our kids?

What do you think…creationism or creativism?

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