1. Examples of Pseudoscience Young Earth Creationism
What is Young Earth Creationism?
Creationism is the belief, usually (though not always) for religious reasons, that the Earth was created, including its life forms, some time in the last 10,000 years or so
The most common version is Christian, which estimates about 6,000 years ago
Based on Biblical accounts
Early books of the Bible (Genesis) give specific ages at which people gave birth
Many gaps, but you can add the years and get an estimate
Adding up to the time of Jesus, Earth was ~ 4,000 years old at the time
From Jesus on, we can match years to historical events

2. Creationism and the Battle in the Classroom (1)
The real issue for creationism is not over what scientists believe, but what is taught in the classroom
Pre 20’th century – No one learned science in school, so no one cared
1920’s – States pass laws barring the teaching of evolution in school
1925 – John Scopes charged with teaching evolution in the classroom
He is found guilty
Plan was to pursue this to higher court
But it got set aside on a technicality
1930’s – 1960 – Science textbooks just avoided the controversy
1957 – Russians launch Sputnik
United States decides it is behind in science
1961 – National Science Foundation Encourages teaching evolution in the classroom
1960’s – Laws passed prohibiting the teaching of evolution as “fact”
These laws were generally overturned on first amendment grounds
Freedom of speech and establishment clause

3. Creationism and the Battle in the Classroom (2)
1970’s – Creationism rebrands itself as “Creation Science”
Attempting to claim that it is just another view of science
1980’s – Equal time laws get passed
Arguing equal time should be spent on evolution and creation science
Late 1980’s – Laws are challenged in classroom
Generally argued that creation science was simply warmed-over religious arguments
1990’s – Creationism rebrands itself as “intelligent design”
Removes claims that any divine agent is involved
But claims only that something with a plan accounts for the diversity of species we see today
2005 – Kitzmiller v. Dover – District court ruled that intelligent design was simply a new name for creation science
As such, it was in violation of the Establishment Clause
Since then, more laws have been passed
Mostly ignored, since it is recognized that they are unconstitutional

4. Flawed Reasoning of Creationists (1)
The Bible says that creatures were created in a few days, not over billions or years
Argument by authority
Evolution relies on random chance. But nothing as complex as a human could occur due to random chance
For example, a whirlwind could never assemble a jet from random parts
So evolution can’t make complex creatures
False analogy
If evolution is correct, then there should be transitional forms between every species
But we don’t always see fossils of these transitional forms
Hence evolution is false
Ad Ignorantium

5. Flawed Reasoning of Creationists (2)
“Do you want to believe humans came from primitive forms, or do you want to believe that we were designed in God’s image”
So, you should believe in creationism because it is better if it’s true
Non-sequitur
Charles Darwin developed the theory of natural selection
Charles Darwin had racist views
Hence we shouldn’t believe in evolution
Ad-hominem

6. Five Arguments for Evolution
DNA evidence
Physical similarity of different creatures
We have worthless parts
We have poorly designed parts
Fossils

7. Five Arguments for an Old Earth
Parallax, other distance methods, and the speed of light
Tree rings
Radiocarbon dating and other radioactive methods
Continental drift
Motion of the Moon away from Earth

8. Homework 8: Groups pick a topic
You can pick any topic approved by me
It can’t correspond with your book topic
Some possible topics include:
Atlantis
Auras
Chiromancy/Palm Reading
Crop Circles
Dowsing
The Face on Mars
Feng Shui
Magnet Therapy
Noah’s Ark
Nostradamus
Polygraphs
Therapeutic Touch