As a retired science teacher, and current educator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, I feel a need to address this ongoing misunderstanding about Evolution. 1. A Theory in science is a BIG DEAL! A Scientific Theory is our best explanation of how something occurs, such as how to explain the observation that animals appear to have changed over time. The theory to explain how animals have changed is based on tens of thousands of observations, tens of thousands of experiments which collected untold amounts of data. Based on all the information collected, thousands of scientists from all over the globe, for over a hundred years, have come up with this explanation (Theory) we call Evolution by Natural Selection. This is NOT the same thing as the more common, every day, non-scientific use of the word theory. Please do not confuse the two. 2. Evolution does NOT say humans evolved from monkeys. It never has. Rather, it states that all organisms evolved from a common ancestor, some organism in the past which provided us with our DNA. So apes (not monkeys, they are different) and humans are separate and unique organisms, but both developed from some creature in the distant past which gave rise to both groups. Each group, while based on the DNA of this common ancestor, developed its own unique combination of genes and became the different organisms we see today. 3. There is no controversy among scientists over the theory of evolution. Over 95% of scientists agree on the theory. Now, as with all human endeavors, and scientists are human after all, a few do still argue against the data based on their personal biases and beliefs. However, those few individuals are, with few exceptions, out of touch with current research, not actual practicing scientists (engineers, mathematicians, or the like) and do not have the expertise or credentials to make valid conclusions on the subject. This, however, has not stopped opponents from using these individuals as so-called experts to help present their case. 4. While I am on the subject, I also believe far too many scientists have gone too far in the use of their own personal biases and beliefs to claim, just as vigorously, that there is no God. Science is in the business of collecting data and trying to discern the nature of the PHYSICAL universe. Science has no place making any claims or judgement about anything it cannot collect data on. God, and other spiritual matters, are the realm of religion and faith, not science. Those scientists who attempt to make claims in those areas are just as wrong, in my meager opinion, as those who use their faith as a basis for making claims about science. 5. There are many scientists who have found no conflict between their religious faith and evolution (include me in this group), just as there are many religious faiths who have no problem embracing evolution. The two are not inevitably in conflict. 6. The theory of evolution and the big bang theory (the scientific one, not the TV show) are two completely different theories. Evolution simply explains how organisms change through time. It does not explain how organisms began. Neither does the big bang theory. That only tries to explain how the universe began. Scientists may speculate on how life began, but that is outside of the theory of evolution. 7. The Bible is not a science textbook. The Bible teaches us about God and how to live our lives. It also teaches us how Christianity came about through the efforts and sacrifices of many men of faith (Abraham, Moses, etc...) and about Jesus and his life and ultimate sacrifice for us. While Genesis does provide tales of God's creation, most biblical scholars do not take these as precise accounts of historical events. The Bible is an incredible and vital book for us to follow, but not as a literal explanation of scientific events. That would be like using explanations of art and beauty to explain the physical construction of a building. Keep each to its own purpose. They both work well to deal with very different aspects of our universe. The Bible for the spiritual universe and textbooks for the physical universe. Don't confuse the two. But don't lose track of the importance of either one. They can work in unison to give us a more complete understanding of all aspects of the world we live in. Thank you for listening to me. If you still have questions about how science and religion can work in harmony, I would suggest reading the following. These authors are much more eloquent on the subject than I am: "Finding Darwin's God" by Kenneth Miller "The Language of God" by Francis Collins |
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