Evolution and Religion
One of the purposes of religion is to orient people to the cosmos in a meaningful way. Since the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species" many people have felt disoriented because evolution seemed to contradict what people had known, which, for many people, was contained in the Bible. For a growing number of others, however, the science of evolution not only confirms the poetic story sequence of Creation outlined in Genesis, but it enriches their faith by reorienting them to a grander vision of the unfolding universe.
The Epic of Evolution, although not a religion, does help to reorient people to the cosmos. This Epic tells the story of the universe from the perspective of science, yet also with the understanding from religion and philosophy. For many people, the Epic of Evolution may help them find their way back to their faith, but also to give people greater understanding and appreciation of other religions and philosophies.
What is the biggest barrier to people accepting evolution? It’s not lack of evidence. The research of thousands of scientists produces ever more compelling evidence for evolution by natural selection every year. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence, evolution is still doubted by many in the public and still not taught in many schools. According to Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, who has studied this problem for many years, the central problem "is that people confuse evolution with atheism. They believe that they have to choose between evolution and God, between science and religion.”
Because the culture in which I live is primarily Christian, I write primarily from this perspective and have many links to Christian web sites. Yet just as an evolutionary world view can enrich Christianity, it can enrich all religions and philosophies and can be the basis for mutual understanding.
Many people consider themselves spiritual but not religious. This site is for them as well. Many spiritual people have embraced evolution. Links to their web sites are included here as well.
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Links
Evolution and Christianity
More and more theologians, scientists and others find that evolution and Christianity are mutually enriching world views. Following are links that explore evolution and Christianity:
Evolution and Judaism
Evolution and Buddhism
Evolution and Spirituality
- What Is Enlightenment: Redefining Spirituality for an Evolving World - a spiritual, cultural, philosophical, and otherwise category-busting magazine committed to bringing a new perspective to politics, business, science, the arts, and the environment.
- Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS) - "Working for a dynamic and positive relationship between religion and science."
- Evolve - web site for Barbara Marx Hubbard and Conscious Evolution.
- Open Source Theology
- Integral Institute - both science and mysticism (or spirituality) are necessary for complete understanding of humans and the universe.
- Institute of Noetic Sciences -
- Science and Spirit - Journal and web site explores how science and religion can work together to address the vital issues of our time. Looking at them through the lenses of both science and religion offers insight neither discipline provides alone. The October 2005 issue was about relationship of evolution to spirituality.
- Science and Theology News - International newspaper reporting the latest research findings, funding opportunities and discussions on the relationship among religion, science and health.
- California Institute of Integral Studies
- Meaning of Life TV - Robert Wright interviews scientists about the meaning of life.
- Foundation for Global Community -
- Meta-Religion - their goal is "..to promote a multidisciplinary view of the religious, spiritual and esoteric phenomena." They have thousands of links to religions, cults, and science sites.
- LifeWeb: Biophilosophy by Elisabet Sahtouris - web site of the author of "Earthdance: Living Systems in Evolution."
Religious Naturalism
- Religious Naturalism.org
- Religious Naturalism Wikipedia
- PaGaian - "PaGaian Cosmology brings together a religious practice of seasonal ritual based in a contemporary scientific sense of the cosmos and female imagery for the Sacred." This work is influenced by Thomas Berry and others in The Great Story.
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