Christians gather in celebration ... of Darwin

by Nancy Haught, The Oregonian
Monday February 16, 2009, 5:15 PM

This week marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, and this year the 150th of "The Origin of Species" and the fourth in a campaign to proclaim -- from the pulpit -- that religion and science are not sworn enemies.

More than a dozen Oregon faith communities are among 980 congregations taking part in Evolution Weekend in all 50 states and 14 countries.

"People assume that a large portion of Christianity is opposed to science," said the Rev. Daniel E.H. Bryant of Eugene, who was polishing his sermon earlier this week. "We aren't," said the pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). "We are not literalists in our approach to Scripture," he said in an interview. "We take creation seriously, not literally." 

Bryant is one of more than 246 Oregonians out of 11,800 Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist clergy members who have signed one of three versions of "The Clergy Letter" since 2004. The letter declares that "the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth" and that rejecting it or portraying it as "one theory among others" amounts to embracing "scientific ignorance" and passing it along to the next generation.  LINK

I found this article interesting for many reasons, one because lately ive seen a lot of jibber jabber about what all christians are suppose to believe when it comes to Darwin's Theory and Creationism which mainly has been based on atheist/agnostic misconceptions. I also found it interesting because some christians felt the need to define thier beliefs with a "letter". What a sad state of affairs when people cant believe in science and religion without having to explain it to a narrowminded populace who wants to keep sticking them into stereotypical rolls. 

Next Posts

Previous Posts

Comments

Snowy
I applaud them. It's the fundamentalist nuts who make a big song and dance about wanting so called Intelligent Design taught alongside evolution in science classes. The mainstream churches have long accepted evolution, but have not spoken out against the Intelligent Design nuts, so many people believe the fundies typify the beliefs of all Christians regarding evolution, thus reflecting on Christianity as a whole. Christians who don't subscribe to the fundie BS need to stand up and be counted.
Indiana
Christians who don't subscribe to the fundie BS need to stand up and be counted.

I disagree, no other religious group is put under a microscope as much as Christians when it comes to Evolutionary beliefs. You dont hear or see people asking the Islamic, the Buddhist or Wiccans to stand up and be counted when it comes to evolution.

Many of the religious dont feel the need to get into the argument. We are quite happy with evolution being taught in schools and our own personal beliefs being taught at home or at church depending on the christian. We dont stand up (as you put it) because we dont see it as a serious issue, we dont view it as a threat to our own beliefs, we are perfectly happy letting the few small minded people battle it out without us sticking our 2 cents worth into the argument. So far thats worked for us because the whole argument has been blown out proportion and actually doesnt effect as many schools as people are led to believe and what few schools it has effected have handled the issue in a way thats satisfactory to the majority of religious and non-religious.

As you know im from a very small town in the heart of the south although i was raised mostly on military bases across this country. Never once in my entire school life did i see intelligent design even mentioned in a school text book, since my own children have been going to school and my oldest is s senior now and my youngest a sophmore, thier text books never mentioned it either at least until i moved to Indiana which is suppose to be a more liberal state then where im originally from and even here there is only one smal sentence that says something along the lines of that some scientists believe in a alternative idea called intelligent design. The book doesnt explain, doesnt talk about it, it only states a fact so i have no issue with that. So to be blunt im not about to run around debating something i dont see a point in debating and im guessing a lot of other Christians feel the same way.

Post a comment

Already a Vox member? Sign in

You will be asked to join Vox to post this comment.
Indiana

About Me

Indiana
United States
View my profile
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead

Neighborhood

Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.

View my neighbors