ReligionDispatches.org

Lauri Lebo.

Both evolutionary theory and climate change have scientific consensus, but explain that to state lawmakers seeking to ‘teach the controversy.’ This is broader than attacks on specific scientific disciplines. In a way, it doesn’t matter to them which scientific discipline they are criticizing—their main thrust is a denial of the validity of science itself

Lauri Lebo.

Religious broadcaster airs creationism series by convicted felon.

Lauri Lebo.

Churches celebrate Darwin's birthday.

Lauri Lebo.

More than a year after a high school student’s arm was burned by a Christian schoolteacher, John Freshwater, the story continues to change. While the family has settled with the school the Dennis family suit against Freshwater awaits trial while Freshwater has launched a counterclaim.

Bron Taylor.

Ten questions for Bron Taylor, whose latest book Dark Green Religion holds that traditional religions are gradually being replaced by more sensory forms of spirituality which promote more sensible, ecologically adaptive behaviors.

Lauri Lebo.

While fundamentalists continue to deny evolution and the validity of scientific thought, and some scientists continue to deny the validity of religion, the Year of Darwin held some notable examples of peaceful co-existence.

Dan Mathewson and Byron R. McCane.

In this multimedia presentation, McCane and Mathewson reveal how the equally toothless performances of New Atheists like Richard Dawkins and creationists like Ken Ham share more with the garish world of Hulk Hogan and the Iron Sheik than with serious scholarship.

Edward J. Larson.

The argument between science and theology is as old as ancient Greece, where scientific rationalism first flourished, but it was revived with the advent of Darwinism. 

Lauri Lebo.

A century and a half after the publication of Darwin’s foundational work, attacks on his ideas continue—including evangelicals distributing a newly altered version. But it will take more than banana-wielding fundamentalism to undermine the validity of evolutionary theory.

Arri Eisen.

A recent New Republic book review argued that science and religion cannot be reconciled. In response, biologist Arri Eisen suggests that we acknowledge the ‘pink elephant’—the thorny questions that arise when religion and science meet—and use it as an opportunity to teach and learn about the conflicting perspectives.

Louis A. Ruprecht.

Two current exhibits in Rome hint at the disturbing subtext of Darwin’s theories and the root of religious opposition to them.

Gretchen Koch.

In the wake of a terrifying and unexpected mauling by a chimpanzee, some have rushed to blame Darwin for putatively implying that they should behave just like us. But we're just as close to another chimp whose behavior is markedly different from this bellicose cousin.

Arri Eisen.

Darwin’s abhorrence for slavery, and his determination to counter the wrongs being done in the name of science, was a spur to his research on evolution. He was committed to proving that humanity had a common ancestor.

Hussein Rashid.

The question of whether Muslims believe in evolution is a knotty one. Here's some background.

Arri Eisen.

An RD columnist and biologist asks a poet, a public health expert, and an evolutionary biologist how Darwin affects their beliefs.

Lauri Lebo.

In this dispatch from a British conference on science and the public interest, author Lauri Lebo revisits American attitudes toward Darwin from the perspective of our neighbors across the pond.

Nathan Schneider.

On the occasion of Darwin’s birthday, a toast to the enduring spirit of “the other side” of the Pandora’s Box opened by his remarkable insight.

Lauri Lebo.

A professor of biology gets clergy on board in the fight against those who would teach biblical creationism in America’s schools, showing that science does not always lead to atheism. Sorry, Dawkins.

Lauri Lebo.

When their son Zachary came home from science class with a cross burned on his forearm It was not the religion that bothered his parents, but the injury to their child. They sued, and brought science v. creationism back into the courts for another round.

The Editors.

The numbers are in and you, the reader, have chosen your favorite RD stories of the year; from Rick Warren to AIPAC, Sarah Palin, Creationism 2.0 and the fabled “death” of the religious right.

Kate Childs Graham.

The legacy of the Church's rejection of Darwin can be felt in today's public rhetoric...

Arri Eisen.

While fundamentalists bicker, and a Turkish crank tries to disprove Darwin, a scientist meets a Buddhist who is able to integrate science and faith...

Edward J. Larson.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author tangles with one of the most fraught questions of the day: “The danger for science is that, if forced to choose between God or evolution, most Americans will choose God.”

Peter Manseau.

1925, 1955, 2005 and now, Ben Stein; It refuses to die because “the debate about evolution is not about evolution at all.”