In the initial years after Darwin’s theory was proposed, most theistic evolutionists believed that God guided the evolutionary process to specific ends. However, as the Darwinian view of the undirected nature of evolution gradually solidified in the scientific community, defenders of theistic … » Go
Philosopher of science Philip Kitcher is the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. In his book Living with Darwin, Kitcher attacks strident atheists among evolutionists for “hectoring” their opponents and for presenting their arguments “without charity” and “without … » Go
Theistic evolution is the effort to reconcile Darwin’s theory of undirected evolution with belief in God in general and Christian theology in particular. Analogous terms to theistic evolution include “evolutionary creation,” “fully gifted creation,” and “biologos.” Ambiguously … » Go
Although the idea of “theistic evolution” receives plenty of attention from the newsmedia, it clearly represents a fringe position among leading biologists. According to a 1998 survey of members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), nearly 95% of NAS biologists identify themselves as … » Go
Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.Biologist Richard Dawkins, The Blind Watchmaker.1 Is Darwinian evolution compatible with faith in God? The nation’s preeminent pro-evolution lobbying group, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), would have people … » Go
No. The idea that human beings can observe signs of intelligent design in nature reaches back to the foundations of both science and civilization. In the Greco-Roman tradition, Plato and Cicero both espoused early versions of intelligent design. In the history of science, most scientists until the … » Go
Theistic evolution proponents who do not openly deny that God guided the development of life typically insist that His guidance is unobservable in biology. Francis Collins proposes this view in The Language of God, suggesting that from God’s perspective the outcome of evolution could “be … » Go
Evolution was back in the headlines this week as the Texas State Board of Education voted 13-2 to require students to “analyze and evaluate” major evolutionary concepts such as common ancestry, natural selection, and mutations, as well as adopting a critical thinking standard calling … » Go
It’s impossible to isolate Darwinian theories from their societal consequences. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection has been one of the most politically and culturally consequential ideas of the past 200 years. Yet many defenders of evolution do their best to downplay … » Go
There must be something deeply ingrained in the human psyche about going on pilgrimages, for when I had a chance last year to take my wife and two small children to visit New England after speaking at a conference, I jumped at the opportunity. What could be more worthwhile than showing my … » Go
As those of us at Discovery Institute have emphasized <href="#questionsAboutIntelligentDesign">for a long time, intelligent design is not incompatible with the idea that living things share a common ancestor. In other words, one can believe that nature displays evidence of intentional … » Go
I recently reviewed the intriguing new play Disinherit the Wind, which explodes many of the stereotypes about the current debate over Darwin and design. As a follow-up, I thought it would be interesting to talk with actor and playwright Matt Chait (pictured above right) about what inspired him … » Go
Since February 12 is Abraham Lincoln's birthday as well as Charles Darwin's, I thought it would be timely to draw attention to my previously published essay about Lincoln's views on evolution and intelligent design. Image credit: Alexander Gardner , via Wikimedia … » Go
You probably know the basic plot of the tired old film and play Inherit the Wind. For teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in a small Southern town, freethinking biology teacher Bertram Cates gets prosecuted by Christian fundamentalists. Loosely based on the infamous Scopes trial, Inherit … » Go
The United Methodist News Service (the official news service of the denomination) has published an article about the UMC's ban on Discovery Institute from having an information table at its upcoming General Conference. I give a lot of credit to reporter Heather Hahn for being willing to … » Go
Take action now: Contact United Methodist officials and urge them to overturn their ban on Discovery Institute. When I was being interviewed last week on Dennis Prager's radio show, Dennis commented that he thought atheists would be more open-minded than United Methodist officials about … » Go
Take action now: Contact United Methodist officials and urge them to overturn their ban on Discovery Institute. We have recently been highlighting the decision by officials at the United Methodist Church (UMC) to deny Discovery Institute an information table at the UMC's upcoming General … » Go
Take action now: Contact United Methodist officials and urge them to overturn their ban on Discovery Institute. United Methodist Bishop Michael Coyner, based in Indiana, has published an online missive chastising the many United Methodists and others who have been contacting him over the … » Go
Take action now: Contact United Methodist officials and urge them to overturn their ban on Discovery Institute. As previously reported, United Methodist Church (UMC) officials have banned Discovery Institute from sponsoring an information table at its upcoming General Conference in May … » Go
Ten years ago today, an activist federal judge in Pennsylvania tried to kill intelligent design by court order. In Kitzmiller v. Dover, Judge John Jones declared that teaching about intelligent design was unconstitutional because intelligent design was religion rather than science. The months … » Go
