"When the gadfly of contemporary anthropology turns his attention to the creationism/evolution controversy, neither creationists nor their foes emerge unscathed. Insightful and delightful."Glenn Branch, Deputy Director, National Center for Science Education"This deeply thoughtful history of ideas engages evolutionary science, biblical studies, and contemporary culture to tackle head on the book's title question. In unfurling his persuasive argument, Marks shows that science and religion are both dogmatic and demonstrates the unexpected ways in which scholars of science and religion should be 'allies'. His ability to push past sweeping dismissals to actual facts is unparalleled."Candida Moss, Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham"Marks argues persuasively that creationism is a theological and not a scientific debate, that its thinking about values and meanings might better be a crucial part of scientific explorations."Lavender Magazine"The easy answer, of course, is that stupidity seems to be a historical constant [...]. But then no one would be wiser about this extensive movement [...]. Marks's aim is that we should try to understand what drives creationists and their opposition to scientific explanations."Moderne Tider
PrefaceChapter 1: Introducing the AncestorsChapter 2: Scientific Stories of our AncestorsChapter 3: Attacking EvolutionChapter 4: Biblical Literalism and RationalismChapter 5: Myths of Science and ReligionChapter 6: Sacred AncestryReferences
Jonathan Marks is Professor of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.