An outlook on the debate between Creationism and Evolutionism in the USA over the last 100 years

Abstract

This essay presents the historical setting of the debate between Creationism and Evolutionism and its development over the last 100 years in the United States of America. Special attention has been given to the causes of the controversial nature of the relation between creation and evolution during this period. We have tried to avoid those simplifications common to advocates of both positions and have refrained from adopting a partisan posture. Finally, we present the origin and recent development of the movement known as Intelligent Design in order to complete the framework of the debate and to offer judgment criteria with which to contrast this movement with classic Creationism.