Is there anything special about the earth, or is it just a coincidence that we happen to live on the only planet we know of which can sustain lifeforms such as our own? Certain astronomers claim that although the chance of another planet existing such as the earth is rare, that because the universe is so large there may be ten trillion or more planets like the earth out there (Wald, 1954:53). It can be understood why such a view would be held by evolutionists, if the earth came about by chance, there should be nothing special about its existence and chance could have led to the formation of other similar planets. Whereas accepting the position that the earth is special would imply that there is purpose, meaning, and a Creator who destined such a planet to exist. Which position is better supported by the evidence? Let us examine several observations that can give us insight into this question.
The strength of the force of gravity on the earth is crucial to keeping gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Moving our atmosphere to the moon would cause these gases to escape the surface due to the weaker force of gravity on the moon. On the other hand, if the force of gravity were too great, many molecular and chemical bonds would be destroyed (Batarseh, 2008:196). This is one of many fine-tuned variables which allow for life on the earth.
The distance of the earth from the sun is also a very important factor in determining the existence or non-existence of life on the earth. Indeed, if the earth were significantly closer to the sun many systems would lose their current balance and the heat would make much of life as we know it impossible. If the earth were significantly further from the sun the oceans would freeze. This zone is referred to as the “Goldilocks Zone”, when a planet is in an area that would allow for liquid water to exist.
Having a thermonuclear energy-generating sun similar to ours is a requirement for photosynthesis and life as we know it. Only 9% of stars are of the same type as our sun – Type G (Psarris, 2007). The existence of such a source of usable energy at just the right distance from the earth cannot be ignored or dismissed as chance. The evolutionary explanation for this is very interesting, “The great majority of planets in the universe are not in the Goldilocks zones of their respective stars, and not suitable for life. None of that majority has life. However small the minority of planets with just the right conditions for life may be, we necessarily have to be on one of that minority, because here we are thinking about it” (Dawkins, 2006:136). To the evolutionist, the earth must be a minority, it cannot be a special singularity, since this view has philosophical implications that many do not want to accept. But is it fair to deny the obvious observations in favor of a more hypothetical and unproven assumption?
Works Cited
Batarseh, Kareem I. “The Primordial Seed of Life: Creation, Spontaneous Generation, and Emergence Theory.” Creation Research Society Quarterly 44.3 (2008).
Psarris, Spike. “Evolution – What do they Purposely Leave Out?” (Seattle Creation Conference 2007) YouTube 26 November 2007. 19 December 2008 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haadES6pDZw>.
Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
Wald, George. “The Origin of Life.” Scientific American 191 (August 1954).