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Stumble It!The evolution debate has long been portrayed as a question of religion versus science. Now Christians like Jeffery Robinson, chemistry student at the University of Kansas and member of Lawrence First Southern Baptist Church, find themselves somewhere in the middle, considering the ideas of both creationism and evolution. Robinson believes in creationism but acknowledges the proven data on which evolution is based.
Although many Evangelicals do not agree with Robinson, he is not alone in his scientific conviction. What conversations with educated Christians and spiritual scientists seem to reveal is that a silent plurality can embrace both creationism and Darwin's theories, despite political crusades that have dominated the news nationwide.
According to an August 2005 Pew Research Forum poll, 60 percent of white Catholics and 20 percent of white Evangelicals believe the theory of evolution in some form.
But as these Christians consider whether and how evolution fits with their faith, others maintain traditional beliefs. So Robinson sometimes feels alone in his congregation.
"When you talk about evolution in a church setting, a lot of Christians just kind of cringe at the mention of evolution or Darwin," Robinson said.
Whether Christians oppose or accept evolution, many can agree with scientists that religion and science serve different, but complementary purposes.
A false conflict
Jayd Henricks, Assistant Director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, said scientists had framed the debate inaccessibly.
"They have this perspective that it's faith against science, and from a Catholic standpoint, that's not the case at all," Henricks said. "Those adhering to a strict evolution theory, it's them who are pitting science against faith, and it's a false conflict."
But Leonard Krishtalka, director of the KU Natural History Museum, said anti-evolutionists create conflict where there is none.
In his sermon, Pastor James Bush of the First Southern Baptist Church preached creationism. He said, however, the conflict between religion and science was unnecessary.
Click on the picture for impressions from Bush's sermon.
"There is no conflict between science and someone's personal beliefs. At least, there need not be a conflict, unless one is forcibly made," Krishtalka said.
Ironically, even Krishtalka and Henricks agree there is no need for conflict, but their reasons differ. Pastor James Bush of the First Southern Baptist Church said a lack of understanding from both sides was at fault.
"Part of what's causing this struggle that gets played out in the media, is that there are two sides not sitting at the same table," Bush said. "There's a scientific debate and a theological debate."
Exploring Evolution
Krishtalka has worked with the Natural History Museum to organize this month's opening of the Exploring Evolution exhibit. The exhibit is the product of four years of planning and a $2.8 million grant from the Natural Science Foundation. KU and five other universities will open the exhibits this fall.
Krishtalka said the two-year exhibit is not a response to the Kansas Board of Education's proposed science standards, but admits the opening is "timely."
"I hope people walk away [from the exhibit] with a much better understanding of what science is and what science isn't," Krishtalka said.
No matter the personal persuasion of visitors, Krishtalka said he hoped everyone had the chance to visit. He said he wants people to walk away with a sense of awe for the world of science and what it explains.
"Science is not a matter of faith, not a matter of belief. Science is a matter of evidence, a matter of thinking, and it's a matter of testing ideas, finding evidence for those ideas and retesting them again," Krishtalka said.
An open debate
In his church, Bush preaches creationism but doesn't disregard the alternate theory of intelligent design, or theistic evolution. Bush said he didn't want to indoctrinate members of his congregation who are science teachers and others who may believe differently.
"I don't think we should do away with scripture," Bush said. "But I don't think we should say to people with a scientific background, well, you're wrong, because the Bible says this."
Christian student Jeffery Robinson manages to unify his faith with his passion for science.
Click on the image to view the full interview.
Despite the support of people like KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway, the scientific community doesn't welcome the idea of a compromise between evolution and intelligent design. Krishtalka said intelligent design was like "evolution in a cheap tuxedo." Robinson said that although he accepts both creationism and evolution separately, he doesn't "buy into" intelligent design.
"Many in the science community are opposed to teaching intelligent design as a science," Robinson said. "It lacks a testable hypothesis that can be tested by science and if you really think about it, that is the defining aspect of science."
Bush said leaving the debate open for discussion is healthy and is the only way to understand what the debate is.
"If nothing else, it makes for a good conversation between theologians," Bush said
