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Intelligent Design Of The

The search for knowledge about the
origin of humanity is as old as its inhabitants. Since
the early 1800's mankind has narrowed the debate
to creation by a Supreme Being and the theory of
evolution. Ever since then, science has been at
odds against religion. Now it appears that science
is returning to religion. Scientists are finding proof
that the universe was created by a Supreme Being.
The word evolution refers to the change of
something over a period of time(Webster's 634).
In biology, the theory of evolution is "the complex
of processes by which living organisms originated
on earth and have been diversified and modified
through sustained changes in form and
function"(Valentine). This theory proposes that
between 4 million and 10 million years ago, all
organisms on earth had a common ancestor and
that through a process of evolution, all living
organisms descended from this common
ancestor(Coyne). Chevalier de Lamarck, a French
naturalist proposed a theory of evolution in 1809.
His idea did not get much scientific consideration
until Charles R. Darwin announced his theory of
evolution(Coyne). Darwin published "his most
famous book, On the Origin of Species by Means
of Natural Selection"(Valentine) in 1859. Darwin
stated that offspring resemble their parents, yet
they are not exactly identical to them. He also
noted that some of these differences were not
effects of their environment, but actually were
passed down from parents to children(Valentine).
Darwin is the most well known scientist to write
on evolution. There are many different variations
on the theory of evolution. Darwin states that
natural selection is the main reason for the
evolution of life. The fight for food, water and
other necessities benefits those creatures who are
well adapted for the struggle. Those that cannot
survive, die with no offspring to continue their
genetic line. Natural selection is also called survival
of the fittest. Another related idea...