Intelligent Design and Fundamentalist Opposition to Evolution

The rise of political Christian fundamentalism has brought with it an increasingly well-organized attack on evolution. Recently, proponents of Intelligent Design (ID) have, with successes and failures, pushed the debate over evolution into a more public arena--ID is a contentious issue for local and state school boards, and the necessity of including ID in school science curricula is a key political issue in the United States and other predominantly Christian nations. This book analyzes fundamentalists' scientific and political attempts to advance creationism over evolution through the new medium of Intelligent Design. The first chapter discusses the development of evolution from Darwin's original work to its standing as a supported tenet of modern science. Subsequent chapters trace the history of fundamentalism, the twin threats fundamentalists perceive from evolution and criticism of the Bible, and the ways that fundamentalists historically argued the case for creationism. The final chapters examine conflicting biblical interpretations and the Bible's historical accuracy, and offer case studies that show evolution's benefits to human welfare. Appendices include tables of contents for all 12 volumes of The Fundamentals, a list of medical breakthroughs over the past 100 years, extracts from the December 2005 U.S. District Court ruling over ID in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and a glossary of terms.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Acknowledgments      Introduction      1. Understanding the Theory of Evolution      2. Identifying American Christian Fundamentalism Today      3. Opposing Biblical Criticism, 1865 to 1900      4. Circling the Wagons, 1910 to 1915      5. Attacking Evolution in New Ways After 1960      6. Interpreting the Bible      7. Using Biological Research Findings for Human Welfare      Conclusion      Appendix A: Preface and Tables of Contents for The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth, Volumes One to Twelve      Appendix B: Medical Breakthroughs Over 100 Years      Appendix C: Extracts from the Judgment of United States District Court, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 20, 2005, Regarding the Dover Area School District      Glossary      Bibliography      Index     

About the Author :
Angus M. Gunn, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, has written numerous books—as well as articles and media productions—on such topics as education, geography and environmental science. A native of Scotland, he lives in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Review :
“Recommended”—Choice.