Evolution and Creationism (now called Intelligent Design) are theories conceived by humans to explain how and why we got here. Evolution is based on scientific observations and investigations that can be verified by replication, experimentation and fossils preserved in rocks as evidence of precursor ancestors who preceded living humans. Creationism is based solely on strict interpretation of the Judeo-Christian Bible and considers everything on earth (including humans and other living things - and everything in the universe as well) to have been created several thousand years ago, in six days, by an intelligent designer (God).

Evolution theories are constantly subjected to challenges by others. Darwin's original version has been refined and altered many times as new evidence is discovered. An immutable principle of evolution or any other science concept is that no concept is immutable. It must conform to known scientific principles of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, medicine, engineering, etc. If difficult or apparently unanswerable questions are encountered, scientists keep looking for rational explanations that are not based on inexplicable mysteries.

The basic facts of evolution, recorded as fossils in ancient rocks going back billions of years (as measured by radioactive minerals in the rocks), have been tested and verified millions of times in natural habitats, in laboratories, by farmers who select the best mutated seeds for planting from the present crop that they want to grow in the future, and by animal breeders who use selective breeding to reproduce pets and livestock with desired characteristics. DNA comparisons provide absolute proof of evolution in showing close similarities between human genes and genes of other organisms - mammals, fish, worms, plants, bacteria, etc. The closer the relationship is to humans, the more similar are the genes.

Creationism is based on faith; in one form of God or religion or another. Under strict interpretation, it permits no detailed examination and requires no factual proof or rational explanation that is consistent with known physical, chemical or biological phenomena. The Bible is usually creationism's sole source of information. Creationism's dogmatic doctrine involves rigid unquestioned belief in permanent unchanging concepts, whereas science is palpable in being based on concepts and theories that are constantly questioned and subjected to rigorous peer investigation. Evolution perceptions can be altered or abandoned if they are found faulty. As are all scientific principles, evolution is palpable and can be superceded by new valid discoveries or interpretations. Creationism's religious tenets, however, are perpetual and unchallengeable because they must conform to their Bible.

Although mutually exclusive, evolution and creationism need not be incompatibly antagonistic any more than science and religion need be antithetical. Scientists may be religious believers and religion advocates may be good scientists. But even if agreement and concurrence are not possible, dialogue and respect can bridge the chasm separating evolutionists from creationists.