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The three main views in the debate over creation
From the Plain Dealer, May 12, 2002

Evolution
In biological terms, it is the concept that all living things share a common ancestor and have developed into many different species over millions of years due to changes in their surroundings and genes. The genetic changes, caused by random mutations and by the differing combinations of parental genes passed along to offspring, give some individuals an advantage over others. In time, members of a population who adapt best to their local environment survive in greater numbers than the less genetically well-equipped —a process called natural selection that is the driving force of evolution. British naturalist Charles Darwin, considered the father of evolution, published his theory and evidence for it in 1859. Most scientists accept it as the best explanation for life.

Creationism
This is the belief that God formed the universe and all living things, including humans. Creationism is a broad, general term that allows for a variety of interpretations of God’s actions. Young-earth creationists believe in the literal truth of Genesis, the biblical creation story: God created the universe in six 24-hour days; the Earth is less than 10, 000 years old; and humans have always held their current form and did not share a common ancestor with apes. Old-earth creationists accept Genesis but believe the six creation “days ”were actually much longer, allowing for an Earth that is millions of years old. Other creationists believe in a more passive God who set up evolution ’s rules and initiated the simplest form of life, then let the process proceed on its own.

Intelligent design
This is the belief that life is too complex to have begun and to have been developed by chance and that the best explanation is the involvement of a purposeful, though unspecified, being or force. This architect of life is by definition capable of acts beyond human abilities. But advocates of intelligent design, who are sometimes devout Christians, say they do not necessarily presume the designer is God. Intelligent-design proponents, some of whom have advanced degrees in such fields as physics and biochemistry, believe there is scientific evidence for intelligent design. One example, they say, is DNA, whose coded components must have been prepared by an intelligence, since they carry meaningful information and couldn ’t have resulted from the random forces of nature.