Clergy Take A Stand On Climate Change And Evolution
Introduction
A number of conservative creationist organizations wish the public to perceive?that there is a great schism between the world of science and religion. Though?there is a divide?between religious fundamentalism and some science, most believers,?perhaps?unconsciously,?tend to compartmentalize their faith and ignore any potential conflicts with science.?Fundamentalist and Creationist organizations have worked hard to push their?agenda?by attacking evolution in court, grooming school boards, hosting public debates, and publishing erroneous opinions of scientific research.
Creationist groups also seek-out scientists that share their perspective and place them on a pedestal for all to see. Usually though, the small portion of scientists they promote don’t actually share their viewpoint in toto and only share a very narrow?window of their perspective. As a response to this, in 2003,?Project Steve was created by the NCSE. To date, over 1366 Steves, Stevens, Stephen, Stephanos, etc.. have signed the document. These are all scientists and some physicians,?that respond to the name of ‘Steve’,?who accept the evolutionary reality?of ‘descent with modification’.?That’s just “Steve” ya’ll!’
In God And Evolution We Trust?
Scientists aren’t the only ones that accept the overwhelming evidence for?evolution. In 2004, The Clergy Project was created in?which over 13,000 clergy affirm:
- “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.”
Perhaps the theory of evolution has more solid ground to stand on than fundamentalist conservative creationists wish us to believe?
But?Wait, There’s More!
Climate Change has also been a divisive issue among scientists and religious conservatives. Though some laypeople and scientists doubt the veracity of man-caused?(anthropogenic) climate change, most climate scientists agree that the evidence is overwhelming. Interestingly, in many cases, we find the same groups of people that doubt evolutionary theory, doubting anthropogenic climate change. In response, another Clergy Project was created in 2015: The Clergy Climate Letter. ?The signees affirm:
- “We…?believe that the scientific consensus about?human-caused climate change demands response on the part of the communities we serve……?Human-caused climate?change is a scientific truth that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny.”
It’s still a mystery why many anti-evolutionists are also against man-caused climate change. Is it ignorance? Fear? Politics? One politician argued that humans just don’t have enough power to overthrow God’s creation.
It’s?encouraging to see?an increasing number?of clergy accepting the scientific evidence rather than continuing to deny reality just because it doesn’t fit squarely?within their ancient theological doctrines.
Perhaps with more hands and heads working together, our world can move into an even more scientifically?literate and science accepting era. One can only hope.
