What's The Big Deal?
As Darwin’s theory became better known, people reacted in many different ways. Some felt that because it claimed humans are related to apes, it threatened the idea that God created humans as special. This also challenged the understanding of the Creation story in Genesis 1, which tells of God creating humans in God’s image, not as descendants of an ape. Many claimed that it promoted an atheist viewpoint and denied that God could have had any part in creating the world. This and many other concerns led the public education system in our country to ban the teaching of evolution in public schools. Click on the link below from the Tennessee Bar association and listen to details of the Scopes Trial. This occurred in 1925 and was about the Tennessee trial of a biology teacher, John Scopes, who was charged with breaking the law by teaching evolution in the classroom.
*Note: In this video, the word “agnostic” is used to describe lawyer Clarence Darrow. "Agnostic" generally refers to someone who does not have a committed belief to either the existence or non-existence of God.
*Note: In this video, the word “agnostic” is used to describe lawyer Clarence Darrow. "Agnostic" generally refers to someone who does not have a committed belief to either the existence or non-existence of God.
The Controversy |
While the law was repealed in 1967, the controversy did not end. To add to the concerns that Darwin’s theory was against the idea of a creator was the idea that living things, including humans, no longer had a divine purpose. Or to put it simply, the big questions were about how things got here and why they are here.
Things became even more complicated when some tried to use scientific methods as a way to tell us how and why God created everything. There were claims made that you could see God’s purpose and design in nature by studying them scientifically. Over time this viewpoint has come to be known as Intelligent Design. For Intelligent Design followers, a supposed scientific method is used to understand how things change over time, or have come into existence. However, when there are no scientific explanations found to show why things might have changed (think of a “missing link”) or why they are so complex, the answer used is that an Intelligent Designer must have stepped in to do the work. Even though this viewpoint may not actually use God’s name to claim an Intelligent Designer, it does suggest that a divine power can be proven using a scientific method. The concern for scientists is that this is not real science, and can’t be proven with a scientific method. The concern for theologians is that God is being used to explain things that should be explained by science. This concern has been raised in the public school system many times, and continues today. In the present time, public schools are allowed to teach about evolution, and can talk about religions, but may not teach about a religious viewpoint of Creation. The issue of whether or not Intelligent Design should be taught is still being debated in many parts of the country. |
So how can a person make a faith statement about a Creator or say they believe the first line of the Apostle’s Creed and believe in the science of evolution at the same time? Let’s take a look at what one Catholic theologian has to say.
Here is a link to an 8 1/2 minute video by a Catholic website called "Busted Halo." It talks about how the Catholic Church views the story of Genesis and the understanding of evolution: |
So you have heard a lot about what other people say about evolution and Creation. There are also many other ways to think about how the two may or may not work together.
It can be very confusing, and very hard to find your own way to speak about these two subjects together. Click on the next tab, or the button below, and we will look at finding you own voice in this conversation. |