Charles Darwin at 200

Charles Darwin has turned 200 years old today (Feb. 12).

For some, he and his ideas of evolution (and how they have developed) have caused many problems for faithful Christians. For many others, myself included, I find nothing in his work that says faith and evolution (science) are incompatible.

I signed on to the Clergy Letter Project, which "is an endeavor designed to demonstrate that religion and science can be compatible and to elevate the quality of the debate of this issue."

The letter that I signed states: "Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as “one theory among others” is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children."

More resources on Religion & Science:

• A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Understanding
• Science & Faith: Perspectives on Christianity & Science

Having studied anthropology at the University of Michigan, I have no problem with evolution and faith. Sadly, there are too many on the extremes that say you have to make the false choice of religion or science.

To learn more about Charles Darwin (who was an Anglican):

• From the Church of England: On Charles Darwin
• From PBS: Darwin at 200
• From NPR: Darwin Finds Some Followers In The Pulpits
• From NPR: Death Of Child May Have Influenced Darwin's Work
• From CNN: Darwin still making waves 200 years later

You can also find the works of Charles Darwin online here.