Religion and Science

Creationism vs Science?

Christianity

Before the Scientific Revolution, people thought the Earth was the centre of the Universe and everything moved around it.

People believed that humans were the final part of God’s creation, and therefore the most important beings on the most important planet.

Science

Since the Scientific Revolution, these beliefs have been challenged; our planet is not at the centre of the Universe and we are just one of many millions of galaxies.

The Universe has evolved over billions of years and is still changing; we are one of many life forms that is constantly evolving in response to our changing environment.

The Origins of the Universe

Christian understanding…

In the beginning… God said ‘let there be light’ and He made day and night

On the second day…

God created the sky

On the third day…

God created land & sea and then all the plants

On the fourth day…

God created the sun and the moon and the stars

On the fifth day…

God created birds for the air and fish for the waters

On the sixth day…

God created animals to roam the earth…

…and finally He created humans in His own image to rule over all the creatures

The Origins of the Universe: Christianity • Turn your page landscape • Write the following subtitle: The Bible tells how the world was created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 1) • Draw this arrow in your book

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

God created animals and human beings God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested God separated light and darkness

The earth was shapeless and empty

God separated sea from dry land God separated water and sky God created lights to rule the day and night God created plants

The Origins of the Universe: Christianity The earth was shapeless and empty

Day 1 Day 2 God separated sea from dry land God created lights to rule the day and night Day 3 God separated light and darkness God separated water and sky God created plants God created animals and human beings Day 4 Day 5 God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea Day 6 Day 7 The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested

James Ussher • He was an English bishop • He lived in the 17 th C • He calculated the time of creation by working through the dates in the Bible • Creation took place at 9am on 26 th October 4004 BCE

“Strong Creationism”

• This is an example of “strong creationism”. Such Christians believe that God created the world in 6 days of 24 hours each.

• Their understanding is that the Bible is the Word of God and must be true.

• Therefore, the creation of the world must have happened exactly as described.

Take a look at the text…

• This is a translation of Genesis 1 • What evidence is there that this is more of a poem than history?

• Take a highlighter and find any examples you can of poetic language: – Repeated phrases – A “verse-like” structure

If it is a poem…

• …what is it trying to say?

• Look again at the text.

• What points is it trying to make about the world and how it was made?

“Weak Creationism”

• Thinking about the creation story in this way is called “weak creationism”.

• Such liberal Christians still believe God created the world (“creationism”) • But they don’t believe that it literally happened in 6 days – they take the message of the poem with out taking the poem literally.

• (Note: When people refer to “creationism” on its own they are probably talking about “strong creationism”).

The Origins of the Universe: Christianity • Genesis 1 teaches that the universe was made by God; God made it out of nothing: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty…” Genesis 1:1 • God planned and made the world carefully, nothing happened by chance or accident; all the different species were there from the beginning: “God made the wild animals…, the livestock.., and all the creatures that move along the ground...” Genesis 1:25

How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists?

What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

The Origins of the Universe: Science • Scientists think the Universe was made by a massive explosion – a BIG BANG • The Big Bang sent matter and gases flying in all directions • As matter collided it formed the planets and stars that formed into galaxies; these are still moving apart as the Universe continues to expand • There is evidence to support this theory; background radiation left over from the Big Bang can be detected with powerful telescopes

Dense matter, smaller than the eye of a needle

How does Science challenge Religion?

• The Big Bang happened 14 billion years ago, not 6-7000 years ago • The process took many millions of years, not 7 days • The process appears to happen by chance and through natural laws, not by divine intervention • The Universe is still changing, it is not perfectly completed to a grand design

Genesis Similarities Big Bang

Some ideas to help you!

• Run by laws of Physics and Maths • Planet Earth is fit for purpose • All things created separately and purposefully • Happened over 14 billion years • Began with light • Earth is central to creation story • No creator • All created over time, still changing • God made everything piece by piece • Began at one point in time • Happened by chance • Happened over time • God is in charge • Happened in 6 days • Earth is one of many planets

Genesis

God made everything piece by piece Happened in 6 days All things created separately and purposefully God is in charge Earth is central to creation story

Similarities

Began with light Began at one point in time Happened over time Planet Earth is fit for purpose

Big Bang

No creator Happened by chance Happened over 14 billion years All created over time, still changing Earth is one of many planets Run by laws of Physics and Maths Which of these would a Liberal Christian believe and which would a Conservative Christian believe?

Some views of the relationship • • • • The creationist’s view The liberal view An atheist's view Creationist vs atheist scientist

The Origins of Humanity

Christian beliefs…

The Origins of Humanity: Christianity The Bible tells how humans were created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 2) • God made human last; they were given pride of place in the world • Humans were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) so share something of God’s nature • Adam was given the breath of life; a personal creation • Humans were given a soul, animals were not • Adam and Eve were given the Garden of Eden to live in; it was perfect • Adam and Eve were put in charge of all the animals and creation • All the different animals were shown to Adam and Eve so they could choose names for them “He brought them to the man to see what he would name them” Genesis 2:19

Christian Origins of Humanity

• L • I • B • S • E • C • A

D Part Question

Explain why Christians believe God intended humans to be more important than other forms of life.

(7 Minutes)

D Part Model Answer

• There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”. These two also imply that humans have a “soul”.

• Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge.

D Part Model Answer (improved)

• There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last, which suggests that they are the pinnacle of creation. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”, which shows that humans share something of God’s nature which other creatures do not. These two also imply that humans have a “soul” which distinguishes us from the rest of creation and makes us special.

• Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. This authority is shown in the story of Adam being given the job of naming the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge, which clearly demonstrates that they are more important than the animals of which they are in charge.

Look at your own answer

How much explanation is there? Have you just listed “facts” or have you explained them?

How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists?

What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

The Origins of Humanity: Science • In 1830 called Charles Darwin The Beagle over time travelled the world on a ship studying plant and animal life. His studies led him to conclude that species evolve • 150 years on, most scientists today still accept this theory

The Origins of Humanity: Science

• As conditions change, e.g. climate, the species most able to cope will survive and reproduce; others will die out • The next generations have slightly different characteristics as species gradually change over time in response to their environment • This is known as natural selection through survival of the fittest: weaker animals die out; the strongest ones survive to reproduce and pass on their genes

Continuous Change, e.g. Climate Those able to cope with change, survive and reproduce: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST Remember our stinging ameobas ?

Other species/mem bers of the species die out Over time, species change in line with their environment: NATURAL SELECTION

Extinction Climate change Natural selection Survival of the fittest

How does Science challenge Religion?

• People have evolved gradually over millions of years, not as the conclusion to a designed creation • Species are always changing and some become extinct, they have not all been here since the beginning of time in a perfect form • Humans are the product of natural forces in the world, not divine intervention • Survival of species is based on adaptability and suitability, not a grand design

How does the process of evolution work?

Evolution

“Is it credible that all favourable varieties of turnips are tending to become men…?” Bishop Samuel Wilberforce reviewing Darwin’s book ‘On the origin of species’ in 1860

Edmund Gosse

Gosse thought the fossils were planted by God to test the faith of humans.

“I am endeavouring to show that a grand law exists, by which, in two great departments of nature at least, the analogues of the fossil skeletons were formed without pre-existence.”

The Catholic Church only accepted evolution theory in 1996 In some parts of the USA, it is illegal to teach evolution as it goes against the biblical teachings.

Genesis Similarities Evolution

Some ideas to help you!

• Nature selects successful species • Humans have control over animals • Humans have a special place on Earth • God made humans in His own image • Humans evolved by chance • Humans were the last creature created by God • All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change • Humans were here from the beginning • The order of creation of species is similar • God created each living thing in turn • Only the fittest survive • All living things were created in 6 days • Humans have evolved over many years

Genesis

Humans have control over animals God made humans in His own image Humans were the last creature created by God Humans were here from the beginning

Similarities

Humans have a special place on Earth The order of creation of species is similar God created each living thing in turn All living things were created in 6 days God was in charge of our creation

Evolution

Humans evolved by chance All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change Nature selects successful species Only the fittest survive Humans have evolved over many years

Answer the following questions 1. Why is the Big Bang theory a challenge to religious belief?

2. Does evolution theory make humans less special than the Genesis account?

3. Why do some people not accept the theory of evolution?

4. If the Adam and Eve story is not literally true, does it mean that the Bible is wrong?

Where does this leave the relationship between Science and Religion?

The Conflict

Religion 1. There is a plan to the Universe: God is very much in charge 2. According to Genesis, creation took 6 days from beginning to end 3. Humans are a special creation who have been given control over the animals Science 1. The Universe is here by chance; there is no reason or plan 2. The process of creation has taken billions of years 3. Humans have evolved gradually and have gained superiority over time

The Conflict

• Some people say that Science and Religion can never agree; they speak entirely different languages so the conflict can never be resolved • Some people think that one day either Science or Religion might be proved right • Some people think it is possible to believe in both Scientific theory and have religious faith (Professor Polkinghorne is a Scientist at Cambridge University and an Anglican Priest)

The Relationship between Science and Religion • Religion and Science are often seen as being in conflict: one based on faith (speculative), the other based on fact (correct): CONFLICT • They can be seen as being entirely separate: science asks ‘How?’; religion asks ‘Why?’: INDEPENDENCE • The can be seen as intimately linked: science teaches about the world; religion uses this to understand more about God and His creation. Religion might be used to manage the ethics of science: DIALOGUE

The Similarities

• The Universe had a beginning • The Universe began with light • Plant life came before animal life • Humans came last • Humans have a superior place on the planet

Christian views

• CREATIONISTS – The Bible is literally true so Science is wrong and the Bible is right; the Big Bang and Evolution theories are rejected in favour of the Genesis account of creation • CONSERVATIVES the Big Bang – There is literal truth in the Bible, but this does not discount Scientific ideas; the Bible mentions ‘let there be light’ and this could refer to • LIBERALS – The Bible if full of metaphorical language and Genesis is a creation myth used to explain how God made the world; Science gives the accurate explanation, but doesn’t discount the role of God in the Big Bang and evolution

Non-literal interpretations of the Bible Myth A story which contains important truths, but does not necessarily describe what happened historically. A poetic way of telling important truths.

Metaphorical Language Language that expresses something, which is not a literal fact. It adds vividness or draws comparisons.