[DannyTN]

In the scientific world, there is free and open competition of ideas, and even a scientist whose suggestions are not accepted is nevertheless free to continue to argue his case. In this free and open competition of ideas, creationism has clearly lost.

...they call themselves "scientific" creationists—and they are a growing power in the land..

Well which is it? Clearly lost or a growing power?

[PatrickHenry]

Well which is it? Clearly lost or a growing power?

There are many unscientific ideas that somehow manage to accumulate followers, and sometimes political power. Look at astrology, socialism, global warming, etc. No end of examples. As I read it, Asimov says that creationism is an idea that has lost out in the scientific arena, yet continues to gather followers from elsewhere in society.