150 years ago today, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, considered by many the most important scientific treatise of all time.
The title was later shortened to The Origin of Species.
Read/listen to this story on NPR.
I am not a religious person but I do believe in a Supreme Being. I see no conflict between evolution and creation. I believe the 6 days of creation alluded to in the Bible are not to be taken literally, but meant to make a point.
In fact, I think evolution supports the concept of a Supreme Being. Why? Because it is a thoroughly ingenious way to propagate life. Any old supreme being can wave his/her arms and produce dinosuars on the spot. But to come up with a such a subtle means to create life, starting with a chemical soup and single-celled organisms to produce dinosaurs, whales, birds, reptiles, insects, apes, trees, flowers, sea scorpions, human, etc., is truly special. Now that's a Supreme Being!
In fact, I was pleased to learn of this quote from one of the leading clergymen of Darwin's day, who sent this repsonse when Darwin sent him a copy:
"It's just as noble a conception of God to think that he created animals and plants that then evolved, that were capable of self-development, as it is to think that God has to constantly create new forms and fill in the gaps that he's left in his own creation." --Rev. Charles Kingsley, a leading Church of England clergyman, commenting on Darwin's book
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