The Mythmaker's Magic: Behind the Illusion of "Creation Science"

This amusing, acerbic collection of essays examines every facet of the evolution/creationism controversy. Delos B. McKown exposes the ambiguous standing of "creation science" in public education, its roots in American fundamentalism, its incompatibility with scientific inquiry, and the clever rhetorical ploys "scientific creationists" use to cover their tracks.

Although "scientific creationists" try to impose a pure myth upon our public schools in the guise of science, theirs is a curious kind of reasoning having ominous consequences for any society hoping to ground its educational system on modern scientific knowledge and methodology and on open, free investigation of problems and issues.

McKown takes the "scientific creationists" world view seriously. In those instances where they would like to escape a literal reading of the Bible and slip into parable or allegory to avoid embarrassment, he makes them take their scriptures straight. Moreover, McKown puts them to rout with a perfectly biblical bit of theology that he calls "Three-World Creationsim."

The Mythmaker's Magic puts "scientific creationism" into its proper historical perspective, shows what its legal and constitutional strengths are, and suggests what may be done to thwart, if not destroy, its malignant influence in public education. For all those who want to actively combat the dangerous spread of "scientific creationism" in public education, this powerful book can serve as both a beacon and a guide.

Delos B. McKown (Auburn, AL)is professor emeritus and the former chairman of the philosophy department at Auburn University. He is the author of The Mythmaker’s Magic: Behind the Illusion of "Creation Science" and With Faith and Fury.