- Friday, February 25, 2022
- 3:30 PM–5:00 PM
- Science Building 110
Co-sponsored by the Christian Perspectives in Science seminar series and the Science and Religion Forum (ScARF)
The last thirty years have seen a profusion of scientific resources promoting the public understanding of evolution; yet millions of young Americans in the process of forming their ideas still decide to reject evolution as the overarching biological explanation for all life including Homo sapiens. Objections to scientific claims are very common among opponents of evolution, and so scientific arguments can be helpful in addressing these. However, the root concerns that underlie rejection of evolution are not scientific in nature, so science will not alleviate them. These root concerns can be inferred from the sorts of appeals opponents of evolution make when in a deeper stage of discussion, or among those not aware of the scientific details. Opposition to evolution is at heart the high-stakes defense of a worldview that involves central values relating to the nature of God, humanity, morality, and society. If evolution is antithetical to theism, human dignity, goodness, and social justice—as even many of its vocal proponents claim it is—then opposition to it seems the righteous position for Christians in a culture war. On the other hand, if this culture war is misguided, then these deep concerns must be addressed, honestly and head-on. Ultimately, accepting and internalizing evolution does not destroy a proper Christian worldview, but it does metamorphose it, often drastically—but for the better.
Presenter: David Lahti, Queens College, City University of New York
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