Comparison and Contrast Essay: Our Father or the Father of Evolution

                For decades we have questioned our existence and how the world was made. Countless theories, myths, beliefs, and stories try to feed our minds by coming up with possible answers. Two of which are the Bible’s Genesis and Charles Darwin’s The Evolution of Man. The Creation VS Evolution debate, also known as the Origins debate has been a recurring dispute about the beginning of humanity, and the Earth. Although both are told from different perspectives, the two furnish us with plausible explanations of how we came to be. While the Bible’s creation story is widely accepted, Charles Darwin’s The Evolution of Man provides us with more evidences. This essay aims to compare and contrast the origin and the story of both the Genesis and The Evolution of Man.

                Looking at both theories, we can easily say that they try to come up with theories or assumptions about the beginning of mankind. Although they are from different perspectives -- one more religious, and the other more scientific, the sole purpose of either is to unravel the mystery of our origin.

                The first two books of the bible depict that a superior being, namely God, created the Earth and all the living creatures that came with it out of nothing. Since He is God, it only took Him merely six days to create light, water, heavenly bodies, living things, and finally, man. The man (Adam) was made out of soil, while the woman (Eve) was made out of Adam’s rib. They were created in the image and likeness of God. In other words, man and woman both have inherent worth that is different from that of animals and other living creatures. The creation story can only be understood from the standpoint of one’s faith. Its purpose is for morally and spiritual revelation. In addition, it is also more of symbolic because the book of Genesis was written by different people centuries ago. Our evidences of its truth are scriptures and our faith.

                On the other hand, Charles Darwin’s The Evolution of Man  states that organisms which survive best in its environment passes on its traits or genes to the next generations. Those that cannot or fail to adapt do not propagate their genes. In other words, it is a survival of the fittest. The adaptation focuses on natural selection, a process in which individuals with inherited traits leave more offspring than those individuals with other traits. The evolution of Man provides us with more concrete evidence. Man’s evolution from ape took countless years. Furthermore, physical evidence suggests that apes and men are quite similar with regard to appearance, action, and mentality.

                In essence, I believe that Charles Darwin’s The Evolution of Man makes a lot more sense than the Genesis’ creation story. I find that there is more importance to concrete evidence than scriptures and faith when it comes to our origin. Both have different views, but are also interconnected. Behind scientific beliefs, there is a God that exists and controls everything. It is not a question of science seeking to destroy our faith, nor is it faith seeking to assert its superiority over science. Rather, both are different theories yet possible perspectives of the world.

This is one of the essays I have enjoyed writing the most. I found that my topic was a very controversial one and I could not decide which theory I believed more. I was satisfied with the result of this essay even if I did not get a perfect grade because I enjoyed writing it.:-)