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1. Nice podcast. I have downloaded quite a few of the free MP3s from the 2001 Sunstone Symposium, but somehow I missed this gem.

   I recently attended a presentation at BYU by Michael Whiting (professor of integrative biology) entitled “Mormonism and Evolutionary Biology: Seeking Grandeur in this View of Life.” I believe Duane Jeffery was in attendance, as well as several professors from the religious department. This seems to be an annual event - I attended a very similar lecture by Dr. William Bradshaw around this time last year.

   The crowd was much larger than I had anticipated, and Dr. Whiting did an excellent job explaining the sound scientific basis for evolutionary theory. He reviewed the official First Presidency pronouncements, gave a brief biographical sketch of Charles Darwin, and explained why evolution need not entail atheism. He was also explicit in distancing Mormonism from the “creationist” and “intelligent design” movements. His view is that we have a lot to learn about God’s methods of bringing about life and new species. He shared an apt analogy: When a person learns how pots are made, that doesn’t devalue a well-made pot or a skilled potter, in fact, it should increase one’s appreciation for both.

   He also answered some questions, and I was a little shocked by the obvious ignorance on the part of some attendees regarding the most elementary aspects of the theory of evolution. It’s no wonder so many people reject it — they simply don’t understand it. (Not to mention that they’ve probably been told on numerous occasions that “the church” is against it.) Even though I grew up in a highly Mormon area, my education included evolution as a simple matter of fact. I didn’t realize the church was “against” it until I was told as much in Seminary. (I realize that officially the church has not taken a position against evolution, but you’d never know it listening to the twin prophets of the CES: Joseph Fielding Smith and Bruce R. McConkie.) I think you’ll still find a large number of Mormons who have long believed that the church takes an affirmative position against organic evolution. It’s one of those frustrating issues where a false perception exists, but current leaders make no effort to correct it. I guess they just assume anyone bothered by it will go ask a scientist at BYU who isn’t afraid to give straight answers.

   Still, my perception is that evolution itself doesn’t necessarily play a large role in whether a person believes in a creator God. If one was already inclined to believe, evolution may be regarded as the mechanism instituted by God to carry out his creative purposes. While I think the church doctrine isn’t entirely consistent with evolution — questions like death before the fall of Adam, the location of the garden of Eden, Noah’s flood, and man’s descent from “lesser” forms of life remain sticky issues — a reconciliation of sorts is possible. Others who are not inclined to believe in God for other reasons will find little in evolution to suggest a deity was involved, and so they continue to disbelieve.

   I am happy to see BYU taking a more progressive stance on the issue than many other conservative religions. Dr. Whiting and others are making a good case for the possibility of balancing faith and science. I’d be curious to what a professor of religion would say in response.

   Comment # 2 by Abner Doon | Oct 3, 2005 | Reply

2. We’re going to be discussing this at the next Transfigurism roundtable (23 Feb 2008). Everyone is invited! Here’s more info:

   http://transfigurism.org/community/blogs/administration/archive/2008/02/13/4133.aspx

   Comment # 3 by Lincoln Cannon | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply

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1. Oct 3, 2005: from Bloggernacle Times » Week in Science

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