Question

Can Religion and Evolution Co-exist?

300~400 words

Answer 1

At the heart of both religion and science is the idea of creation or the origin of the universe. The universe in good measure is intelligible. And science provides a strong argument using which we can understand nature so well. One plausible answer is that evolution favours organisms that can adapt to their environment. Most organisms have a set of “wired” instructions passed from earlier generations.

Thus, Over the evolutionary history of Earth, organisms that can learn how to manipulate their surroundings have prospered. However, if we read the canonical texts like the Bible for the narratives about the struggles of the civilisations across history, then we can see how the religious myths and stories too build a case about survival of certain characteristics, traits and practices as key to the continuity of life. Thus, from this point of view, the idea of a communion or living in harmonious and peaceful relations with one’s neighbours, tribes lead to the success of the Israelite tribe’s journey to the promised land as mentioned in the Bible, or allowed the mins from one tribe to succeed over enemy tribe a team war such as in the Hindu mythological epic of the Mahabharata.

As the scientific theories of evolution would demonstrate, such notions of cooperation and kindness are similar across different species like chimps, apes, canines, birds, dolphins, etc and it allows the cohort of species to survive. Humans are not unique in this trait but perhaps they can be said to be definitely the best at learning. Thus, in a way, Science and religion are two essential components in the search for truth.  So in other words nature has built us to understand the rules of nature by using both these parallel perspectives as strong explanations.