Evolution and religion can co-exist, theologian says
By Emilie Holmes
John Haught speaks with students after his talk about God and Darwin. / Photo by Thad Stott
March 4, 2004 | Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and there's room for both even in Charles Darwin's world, a leading theologian told USU students Wednesday. More than 200 students and community members gathered to hear Georgetown University theology Professor John Haught address the connection between religion and evolution. Haught, who specializes in science, cosmology, ecology and religion, was the final speaker in series of talks sponsored by the language, philosophy and speech communications department. Philosophy Professor Richard Sherlock called Haught is a "leading voice in the discussion of religion and modern science." Haught said although he is a theologian and devout Catholic, he believes science – including evolution – is an important issue and that the two are interconnected. "I think it is possible, at least in principle, to integrate the two," Haught said. Haught said his belief concerning the "meshing" of the two issues coincides with Charles Darwin's recipe of three ingredients: chance or randomness, natural selection and deep time. Chance, he said, is nature's openness to the future. Natural selection is consistent with laws of nature – something "to depend on." "You need to have a universe with some background of consistency," he said. Deep time, as opposed to normal time, refers to the billions of years that scientists believe have passed since the universe began. For all that has happened in the universe and on Earth, such a huge expanse of time is required, Haught said. Haught said the doctrine of divine providence – that God has a plan for Earth and its people – came long before Darwinism and evolution. "A lot of people can't reconcile the two," he said. "The religious world has difficulty coming to grips with evolution on our planet." Haught went through multiple theories of theologians and scientists who have studied religion and evolution together. One proposal, which Haught said is popular among many he knows, is divine pedagogy – that it is possible to make sense of evolution and religion. One theorist, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit priest and geologist, was constantly looking for meaning and direction of evolution. Haught said a direction and meaning coincides with a provincial God. Other theories conclude that evolution must be continuing because the Earth is constantly evolving, Haught said. "Evolution implies that we live in an unfinished universe," he said. Questions that every person asks, such as why there are struggles in life, why God remains hidden, why people must walk by faith and not sight and why hope exists suggest the world is still evolving. "All of these issues that bother us are functions of an unfinished universe," he said. "The universe – if perfect and complete – would not be distinct from God, because God is perfect." Haught said if everything was fixed and complete, Earth would be a world without suffering, future, freedom or life. "God knew the world would have to adapt," he said. Ultimately, he said, it comes down to whether people can accept science or religion as the only way of life – and not both. If one can't, they must consider a connection between the two. Sherlock, who organizes speakers in the science and religion series, said the topics are the greatest of all in civilization. "We live in a world dominated by modern science," Sherlock said. "On Sundays people are Christian and the other days they live in a scientific world. We have to think about how the two things go together." Overall, Haught said, it is important for people to realize religion and science are inseparable. "Every science leaves something out," he said. "But, it is intellectually implausible for a person of the Christian faith to go to biology class and open your arms toward it."
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