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Tenth annual Evolution Weekend; Darwin's birthday

Posted 6 February 2015 by Matt Young

The tenth annual Evolution Weekend, February 13-15, is almost upon us. To check out what's going on in your neighborhood, click here. This year's theme is Science and Religion in Dialogue: Past, Present, and Future. The Evolution Weekend website notes,

Evolution Weekend is an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science. An ongoing goal has been to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic, and to show that religion and science are not adversaries. Rather, they look at the natural world from quite different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions. Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that evolution is quite simply sound science; and for them, it does not in any way threaten, demean, or diminish their faith in God. In fact, for many, the wonders of science often enhance and deepen their awe and gratitude towards God.

While I do not entirely agree with the sentiment expressed in the first paragraph, it is better than some of the alternatives. Finally, NCSE reminds us that the anniversary of Darwin's birth is February 12, and House Resolution 67 would recognize

Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all of Earth's peoples.

Rep. Jim Himes introduced the bill on February 2, and, according to a press release from the American Humanist Association, it is the latest in a series of such resolutions, the previous four having been introduced by Rep. Rush Holt and Rep. Pete Stark. Although the PR is not explicit, I think we may infer that none has so far passed the House.

8 Comments

tomh · 6 February 2015

"Rather, they look at the natural world from quite different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions."

I hope they can explain what questions religion answers. I have yet to see any.

gdavidson418 · 6 February 2015

I'm waiting for the Dembski Day as a national holiday.

Motto: We don't need your pathetic details.

Glen Davidson

Frank J · 7 February 2015

tomh said: "Rather, they look at the natural world from quite different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions." I hope they can explain what questions religion answers. I have yet to see any.
Religion does not answer the testable "what happened, when, where and how" questions that science answers, if that's what you mean. But religion - most religions, and most of their leaders at least - don't claim to answer those questions, and leave it to science to do so. They admit that what may sound like such answers are allegories, that simplify the story to teach a lesson. Religion does claim to answer the "ought" questions if not the "is/was" ones. But so does any moral code. I personally see no need for organized religion, allegories, or untestable "miracles" to support a moral code, but unfortunately I'm in a tiny minority, even among "Darwinists." One very disturbing thing I have noticed in the last ~20 years is that people prefer to talk about religion much more than about science. And that includes people who want no parts of religion, organized or otherwise. And yet the conversations about religion rarely have anything to do with morality. In fact it's rare to even hear about anything relating to origins, and even then there's rarely any clear indication that anyone takes their religion's origins story any more literally than they take flying reindeer. Most of what I overhear is either trivial (who they saw in church, what they wore, or what they ate at the social) or no-win "debates" that are really political.

grendelsfather · 7 February 2015

In fact it’s rare to even hear about anything relating to origins, and even then there’s rarely any clear indication that anyone takes their religion’s origins story any more literally than they take flying reindeer.
You aren't from around here, are you?

Mike Elzinga · 7 February 2015

Also looking ahead to Pi Day. This year we pick up two more digits in pi. 3.1415 … (that is, unless the current Congress changes it to 3).

Henry J · 7 February 2015

Pi R square!

fusilier · 8 February 2015

Henry J said: Pi R square!
No, pi are round, cake are square! (At least that what My Beloved and Darling Wife's tee-shirt says.) fusilier James 2:24

Henry J · 9 February 2015

Actually, I reckon that for both of them, it depends on the shape of whatever they were cooked in!