In 1996, after reflecting on evidence of evolution that has been accumulating for more than a hundred years, Pope John Paul II acknowledged that the theory of evolution “has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory.” His words infuriated individuals who believe in a strict, literal interpretation of the biblical account of creation. Some of these individual have been demanding that biology instructors treat evolution as “just a theory” and give equal time to the biblical interpretation.

Refer to the information in your textbook and in other sources on the elements of the scientific method and scientific inquiry. Do you equate scientific and religious explanations of life’s origin and history as alternative theories? Why or why not?