Religion and Science

1. Religion and Science Creationism vs Science?

2. Before the Scientific Revolution, people thought the Earth was the centre of the Universe and everything moved around it. People believed that humans were the final part of God’s creation, and therefore the most important beings on the most important planet. Christianity

3. Since the Scientific Revolution, these beliefs have been challenged; our planet is not at the centre of the Universe and we are just one of many millions of galaxies. The Universe has evolved over billions of years and is still changing; we are one of many life forms that is constantly evolving in response to our changing environment. Science

4. The Origins of the Universe Christian understanding…

5. In the beginning… God said ‘let there be light’ and He made day and night

6. On the second day… God created the sky

7. On the third day… God created land & sea and then all the plants

8. On the fourth day… God created the sun and the moon and the stars

9. On the fifth day… God created birds for the air and fish for the waters

10. On the sixth day… God created animals to roam the earth…

11. …and finally He created humans in His own image to rule over all the creatures

12. Day 1 Day 2 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 3 Day 4 The Origins of the Universe: Christianity • Turn your page landscape • Write the following subtitle: The Bible tells how the world was created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 1) • Draw this arrow in your book

13. God separated sea from dry land God created lights to rule the day and night God created animals and human beings The earth was shapeless and empty The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested God separated light and darkness God separated water and sky God created plants God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea

14. God separated sea from dry land God created animals and human beings God created lights to rule the day and night The earth was shapeless and empty Day 1 Day 2 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 3 Day 4 The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested God separated light and darkness God separated water and sky God created plants God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea The Origins of the Universe: Christianity

15. He was an English bishop He lived in the 17thC He calculated the time of creation by working through the dates in the Bible Creation took place at 9am on 26th October 4004 BCE James Ussher

16. “Strong Creationism” • This is an example of “strong creationism”. Such Christians believe that God created the world in 6 days of 24 hours each. • Their understanding is that the Bible is the Word of God and must be true. • Therefore, the creation of the world must have happened exactly as described.

17. Take a look at the text… • This is a translation of Genesis 1 • What evidence is there that this is more of a poem than history? • Take a highlighter and find any examples you can of poetic language: • Repeated phrases • A “verse-like” structure

18. If it is a poem… • …what is it trying to say? • Look again at the text. • What points is it trying to make about the world and how it was made?

19. “Weak Creationism” • Thinking about the creation story in this way is called “weak creationism”. • Such liberal Christians still believe God created the world (“creationism”) • But they don’t believe that it literally happened in 6 days – they take the message of the poem with out taking the poem literally. • (Note: When people refer to “creationism” on its own they are probably talking about “strong creationism”).

20. The Origins of the Universe: Christianity • Genesis 1 teaches that the universe was made by God; God made it out of nothing: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty…” Genesis 1:1 • God planned and made the world carefully, nothing happened by chance or accident; all the different species were there from the beginning: “God made the wild animals…, the livestock.., and all the creatures that move along the ground...” Genesis 1:25

21. How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists? What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

22. The Origins of the Universe: Science • Scientists think the Universe was made by a massive explosion – a BIG BANG • The Big Bang sent matter and gases flying in all directions • As matter collided it formed the planets and stars that formed into galaxies; these are still moving apart as the Universe continues to expand • There is evidence to support this theory; background radiation left over from the Big Bang can be detected with powerful telescopes

24. Dense matter, smaller than the eye of a needle 14 billion years UNIVERSE BIG BANG

25. How does Science challenge Religion? • The Big Bang happened 14 billion years ago, not 6-7000 years ago • The process took many millions of years, not 7 days • The process appears to happen by chance and through natural laws, not by divine intervention • The Universe is still changing, it is not perfectly completed to a grand design

26. Similarities and differences between Genesis and the Big Bang Genesis Big Bang Similarities

27. Run by laws of Physics and Maths Planet Earth is fit for purpose All things created separately and purposefully Happened over 14 billion years Began with light Earth is central to creation story No creator All created over time, still changing God made everything piece by piece Began at one point in time Happened by chance Happened over time God is in charge Happened in 6 days Earth is one of many planets Some ideas to help you!

28. Big Bang Genesis No creator Happened by chance Happened over 14 billion years All created over time, still changing Earth is one of many planets Run by laws of Physics and Maths Similarities God made everything piece by piece Happened in 6 days All things created separately and purposefully God is in charge Earth is central to creation story Began with light Began at one point in time Happened over time Planet Earth is fit for purpose Which of these would a Liberal Christian believe and which would a Conservative Christian believe?

30. Some views of the relationship • The creationist’s view • The liberal view • An atheist's view • Creationist vs atheist scientist

31. The Origins of Humanity Christian beliefs…

32. The Origins of Humanity: Christianity The Bible tells how humans were created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 2) • God made human last; they were given pride of place in the world • Humans were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) so share something of God’s nature • Adam was given the breath of life; a personal creation • Humans were given a soul, animals were not • Adam and Eve were given the Garden of Eden to live in; it was perfect • Adam and Eve were put in charge of all the animals and creation • All the different animals were shown to Adam and Eve so they could choose names for them “He brought them to the man to see what he would name them” Genesis 2:19

33. L I B S E C A Christian Origins of Humanity

34. D Part Question Explain why Christians believe God intended humans to be more important than other forms of life. (7 Minutes)

35. D Part Model Answer • There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”. These two also imply that humans have a “soul”. • Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge.

36. D Part Model Answer (improved) • There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last, which suggests that they are the pinnacle of creation. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”, which shows that humans share something of God’s nature which other creatures do not. These two also imply that humans have a “soul” which distinguishes us from the rest of creation and makes us special. • Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. This authority is shown in the story of Adam being given the job of naming the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge, which clearly demonstrates that they are more important than the animals of which they are in charge.

37. Look at your own answer How much explanation is there? Have you just listed “facts” or have you explained them?

38. How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists? What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

39. The Origins of Humanity: Science • In 1830 Charles Darwin travelled the world on a ship called The Beagle studying plant and animal life. His studies led him to conclude that species evolve over time • 150 years on, most scientists today still accept this theory

40. The Origins of Humanity: Science • As conditions change, e.g. climate, the species most able to cope will survive and reproduce; others will die out • The next generations have slightly different characteristics as species gradually change over time in response to their environment • This is known as natural selection through survival of the fittest: weaker animals die out; the strongest ones survive to reproduce and pass on their genes

41. How does evolution work? Those able to cope with change, survive and reproduce: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST Over time, species change in line with their environment: NATURAL SELECTION Continuous Change, e.g. Climate Other species/members of the species die out Remember our stinging ameobas?

42. How does evolution work? Extinction Climate change Natural selection Survival of the fittest

43. How does Science challenge Religion? • People have evolved gradually over millions of years, not as the conclusion to a designed creation • Species are always changing and some become extinct, they have not all been here since the beginning of time in a perfect form • Humans are the product of natural forces in the world, not divine intervention • Survival of species is based on adaptability and suitability, not a grand design

44. How does the process of evolution work? Evolution

45. “Is it credible that all favourable varieties of turnips are tending to become men…?” Bishop Samuel Wilberforce reviewing Darwin’s book ‘On the origin of species’ in 1860

46. “I am endeavouring to show that a grand law exists, by which, in two great departments of nature at least, the analogues of the fossil skeletons were formed without pre-existence.” Edmund Gosse Gosse thought the fossils were planted by God to test the faith of humans.

47. The Catholic Church only accepted evolution theory in 1996 In some parts of the USA, it is illegal to teach evolution as it goes against the biblical teachings.

48. Similarities and differences between Genesis and Evolution Similarities Genesis Evolution

49. Some ideas to help you! • Nature selects successful species • Humans have control over animals • Humans have a special place on Earth • God made humans in His own image • Humans evolved by chance • Humans were the last creature created by God • All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change • Humans were here from the beginning • The order of creation of species is similar • God created each living thing in turn • Only the fittest survive • All living things were created in 6 days • Humans have evolved over many years

50. Humans have control over animals Genesis Evolution Similarities Humans evolved by chance All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change Nature selects successful species Only the fittest survive Humans have evolved over many years God made humans in His own image Humans were the last creature created by God Humans were here from the beginning God created each living thing in turn All living things were created in 6 days Humans have a special place on Earth The order of creation of species is similar God was in charge of our creation