More than 500 congregations across the country and around the world are marking this Sunday, February 15th, as a day to reflect on what it means to balance a religious world view with the knowledge gained from scientific progress. As the date closest to the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin (February 12th, 1809), we’ll be marking the 10th annual celebration of Evolution Sunday at The Fountains, a United Methodist Church at both the 9am and 11:15 services.
Pastor David Felten says, “Pitting creationism against evolution reveals a very narrow reading of the Bible that shows disrespect to both the Bible and science. Denying evolution demands the rejection of both reason and experience — two important guidelines our founder, John Wesley, urged all Methodists to bring to bear in both their faith and life.”
Not only does the United Methodist Church officially endorse evolution in its Book of Discipline, stating that “science’s descriptions of cosmological, geological and biological evolution are not in conflict with theology,” it has resolved to work to oppose “faith based theories such as creationism or intelligent design” in public school science curriculums.
Those who demand that their religion trumps scientific knowledge are driving thinking people from the church – especially young people, who according to recent studies have stopped attending church because they consider Christianity to be “anti-science.” Evolution Sunday is an expression of the sincere desire of those who seek to correct that impression, moving forward with an alternative to those who continue to attack science in the name of religion.
Every day, new scientific discoveries are creating amazing opportunities to learn and grow and be amazed. Evolution Sunday is a day to affirm the work of the Spirit in the process of evolution and embrace the diversity and complexity of life as a gift of God.
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A Resolution affirming Evolution will be part of legislation considered at the Desert Southwest Annual Conference meeting in June, 2015. To view the text of the resolution, click on: Evolution and Science 2015.