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A subject that I love to argue.

Just like there are different belief systems in the evolution only camp (Darwinism, neo- Darwinism, permeated- equilibriumism, etc..) there are different belief systems in the creation camp.

What your friend believes is called Creationism/Evolutionism, sometimes in debate circles shortened to Creationism. The onslaught of scientific theories supporting and disproving each other becomes confusing. The ingraining of the "fact" of evolution in the school systems has to be made to fit one's faith. Thus, this belief system is born.

The other camp of belief is called Intelligent Design Creationism, sometimes shortened to Intelligent Design. Adhereing to this belief system allows that modern science tends to be biased, that there are may ways to interpret facts when the entire process cannot be observed (macro-evolution.) So, one's faith in an intelligent Creator leads them to believe that all species were created according to the Genesis account between four and six thousand years ago. (How long is day in Genesis chapter 1? That's another arguement.)

BTW, I am a Christian that adhere's to the theory of Intelligent Design. I accept that as fact as a matter of faith, just as humanist and evolutionist accept evolutiion as fact. My bias, however, comes as a result of study. Becoming a Christian began as a study of evolution gone awry.

You know, I was flipping though the replies after I posted my last, and I saw that alot of the posts were saying that the Intelligent Design camp is the camp that believes God created the process of Macro-evolution. Maybe the definition of ID has *ahem* evolved into something other than what I have adhered to for nearly 10 years now, but here is how I understand Intelligent Design.

The human eye, for example, is an extremely complicated part of the human organism. Much more complicated than that of any fish or lizard. (sure it doesn't move around in all the cool ways a chameleon can move its eyes, but the ability to distinguish and mix nearly the entire spectrum of light in the mid frequency range is unique.) So complicated in fact, that no evolutionary theory, save the 'hopeful monster' theory, can explain how the eye is what it is. Mathematically, no matter how much time you give it, it is impossible to evolve the human eye from a lesser eye. To many beneficial mutations would have to take place at once to even deem the eye useful, much less progressively so.

SO, the only other explanation for the human eye is that it was DESIGNED by an Intelligent Creator and made in it's present state.
Symbiosis, the bombardier beetle, etc... are all good arguments for Intelligent Design.

>> So I agree with your friend, God did create, through his other creation, science.

So, to you, if you see someone define themselves simply as a "Creationist," then you do not automatically assume that they deny evolution?
>>>>

Nope, I dont. I know many christians are scientists. I believe that God works through the "laws" of science. NOw there are some miracles that cannot be splained away of course. Like Ted Kennedy being reelected. But I think in most cases God does work that way.