Creationism's Upside-Down Pyramid: How Science Refutes Fundamentalism [Hardcover]

Lee Tiffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1994

Scientists and educators are deeply concerned that as fundamentalists gain ever more political power, their clout will be used to foist creationism onto the curriculums of tax-supported educational institutions. In recent years, creationists have invoked academic freedom, balanced treatment, and equal time in an effort to influence policies pertaining to public education. These crusaders assert that biblical stories represent true science and deserve to be taught in public school science classes. In the name of ensuring 'balance and fairness,' they argue, 'creation science' should be presented in the public schools.A consensus among many scientists, educators, and members of mainline churches is that 'scientific creationism' does not warrant a place in the public school science curriculum. This book looks behind creationism's mask to provide a better understanding of what creationists believe and what strategies they employ to achieve their sectarian goals. Tiffin explains why we should be concerned about the intellectual crisis creationism poses for society and about the climate of sanctimony that permits sectarian groups to fashion religious tests for office.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a good book... it is an excellent summary of the arguments which most seriously refute the flood geology thesis... an excellent first answer to those colleagues and students who might want to study the creationist thesis." Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

Product Details

• Hardcover: 229 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (August 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879758988
• ISBN-13: 978-0879758981
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,971,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good for what it sets out to do, July 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Creationism's Upside-Down Pyramid: How Science Refutes Fundamentalism (Hardcover)

When you buy this book, you need to understand that it's a criticism of creationism, not an explanation of evolution. If you want a book on evolution, there are much better choices.
I would also like to mention that the last person to write a review of the book gave it a very unfair one star. He complained that this book did not cover Behe's theories of irreducible complexity, despite the fact that this book came out four years before Behe's. One can hardly fault the author for not defending his work against hypotheses that didn't exist yet.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish they'd read this book in Kansas...., August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Creationism's Upside-Down Pyramid: How Science Refutes Fundamentalism (Hardcover)

The story of creation is a beautiful myth. Many cultures andreligions have a myth about how the world began and they are as variedas each religion is in comparison to each other. But the key word here is myth. Myths are told as a spiritual explanation of it all. They are not meant as literal fact nor were they ever meant that way. Lee Tiffin, as a minister as well as a scientist, understands this; and in a superb balance of his two seemingly disparate vocations, he has created a masterful essay on why we should not pollute religion with politics and vice versa. To do so is to degrade both. School is not only rote memorization, it is where a child is supposed to be taught to think logically, not to pervert the mythology of ANY religion as a science. The more technical language will intimidate the lay reader--one can skim through this and not lose the message. It is also important to know that Mr Tiffin is not attacking religion, but attacking the idea of religion being mandated upon us. If you are concerned in any way about this issue, please read this book and recommend it to your local school board.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Explains Why the Creationist's Science Method is Upside Down, July 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Creationism's Upside-Down Pyramid: How Science Refutes Fundamentalism (Hardcover)

I'm not sure that this book's subtitle is an accurate portrayal of its intent. Fundamentalist ideas are objects of faith (or they should be) so refuting them seems extraordinary if not impossible. But I think the subtitle is a poke at the fundamentalist who wishes to refute science by acts of faith, an irony if ever there was one. Tiffin does an excellent job of explaining why the "scientific method" practiced by creationists is upside-down. Rather than deductions and inductions radiating out from evidence, as it should, the creationist makes evidence radiate out from its presupposition that the creation story in Genesis is factual. Indeed, one can readily see this difference in how Darwin induced a theory based on the physical evidence that he observed. Contrast this with the modern creationists who use physical evidence to try to prove a pre-established notion of what the evidence should tell them. Creationists do a great disservice to both religion and science by trying to hoist on the public the notion that creationism is legitimate science. It is not. It turns the scientific method on its head and has none of the attributes that one would expect from a scientific theory (e.g. predictive qualities, practical uses, and conceptual falsification). While somewhat technical in nature, I believe this book is useful in helping the public understand why valid science opposes creationism. However, I don't expect the book to be especially useful to creationists since I have encountered few of them who understand and appreciate the right side up scientific method.