Creationism is a literal interpretation of the Bible regarding the creation of man and the universe, used to argue that evolution should not be presented as established scientific fact in educational settings. Adherents of creationism often believe that the universe and all living organisms were created in their present forms by a divine creator, as described in the Book of Genesis. This view directly contradicts the scientific theory of evolution, which explains the diversity of life on Earth through natural selection and descent with modification over vast periods of time. The debate between creationism and evolution has been a long-standing source of controversy, particularly in the United States, with ongoing discussions about the appropriate place of each perspective in school curricula. The scientific community overwhelmingly supports the theory of evolution as the best explanation for the origins and development of life.