The third annual Evolution Weekend, February 8-10, will be marked by members of more than 100 Episcopal congregations calling upon scientists and science educators in their communities to employ their skills as preachers and teachers according to Phina Borgeson writing for Episcopal Life Online.
One important goal of the observance is “to elevate the quality of the discussion on [religion and science] — to move beyond sound bytes” notes Michael Zimmerman, founder of the initiative.
Evolution Weekend is an outgrowth of the Clergy Letter Project, signed by more than 11,000 religious leaders of many denominations who recognize the compatibility of evolutionary theory and Christian belief. Formerly Evolution Sunday, the name has been changed to embrace all faith traditions.
“Preaching positively about science can strengthen the credibility of church leaders at a time when our voices are sorely needed in important debates about abortion, stem cell research, cloning, resource sustainability, and other issues,” says Peter M. J. Hess, faith project director at the National Center for Science Education (NCSE).
“Creationism — in both its ‘Young Earth’ and its ‘Intelligent Design’ variants — continues to trouble congregations. This rises to the level of scandal when a pastor of an educated congregation preaches a world view that disregards the work of astronomers, geologists, biologists, geneticists, and practitioners of a host of other sciences, some of whom may be members of the congregation,” he adds. “The pulpit is a powerful tool, and one way to use it in the service of truth is to participate in some way, small or great, in the observation of Evolution Weekend.”
Read the whole article here.
Additional Resources:
A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Undertanding here
Science, Evolution, and Creationism from the National Academy of Sciences.
Ideas for participating in Evolution Weekend here