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One approach that we take is that most of our critics use the "evolution
is only a theory approach".  For some reason they also include anything we
do on the big bang in the planetarium as part of evolution and disagree
stridently with us presenting only "one side of the issue".  If they will
talk to us rather than vent we  present them with what we take as fact
rather than theory.  What we take as fact includes:

 the long age of the earth,

 the very long age of the universe,

 the uniformity of processes causing the changes to the earth,

 that fossils are the remnants of animals that once lived,

 that the process of extinction still occurs(that is some species have
died out during human history)
 
 over time living things show change and adaptation either through human
intervention(domestic breeding of animals and plants) or from the
processes of nature.

 that although these processes generally take a long time, there are some
instances such as developing antibiotic resistance in bacteria that occur
within a human lifespan.  

Most of the strident ones won't grant that these are facts, especially 
the long age of the earth or that fossils are animals that once lived.  In
Georgia the science center had to lead a fight to keep evolution in the
high school biology curriculum.  The state superintendent had it taken out
to avoid offense and take pressure off of science teachers.  Fortunately
the larger community of scientists and teachers convinced the state to
keep evolution in the curriculum.  The process of science is taking place
within the context of theories such as the big bang and evolution and
those have led to significant knowledge.  I am sorry for any offense we
cause but the evolution that some people object to is central to the
science we teach and exhibit.   I don't see how any science center can
avoid either the facts or the theory that the creationists find so
objectionable.


 
Dr. Mac Sudduth
Director
Fernbank Science Center
DeKalb County Schools
678-874-7119
[log in to unmask]
For information on programs and exhibits
http://fsc.fernbank.edu

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