An Atheist Challenge
The following is an email exchange with an atheist who attended one of my evening programs and offered his critique...
Michael: I was at your lecture the other night. It was enjoyably thought provoking, though ultimately I didn't agree with much of anything you said. I'm a plain old atheist, looking at the world in a purely materialistic way. I can't really disagree with any of the facts you brought up, but I disagree with your interpretation of them.
Responding to Mixed Reviews
“Michael Dowd illustrates in Thank God for Evolution that there are many ways to be a spiritual person, and that all of them are enriched by an understanding of modern science, especially evolution. This is a creative, provocative book that sheds light on just about any spiritual path one might be on. Many will find their faith revolutionized.” — Eugenie C. Scott, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Center for Science Education
4 Reasons Why Nothing Matters More Than What We Think About Evolution
1. A shared sacred story that honors both objective truth and subjective meaning: For the first time in human history we have a creation story that not only addresses life’s biggest questions—Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Why are we here? How are we to live?—but helps us answer those questions in ways that are both religiously inspiring and scientifically accurate. No longer are subjective meaning and objective truth isolated from one another in separate domains. Both are conveyed through the same story.
Evolution Theology: Religion 2.0
As I and others are now using the term, Evolution Theology, or Religion 2.0, refers to those whose position on the science vs. religion controversy tends toward reconciliation or synthesis.
Rewilding: Evolution in Action
Something I dearly love about my wife and mission partner, Connie Barlow, is that she not only talks evolution, she walks it. Thanks to her, last week I was privileged to participate in a radical act of biodiversity protection: the "assisted migration" of the most endangered conifer tree in the world.
There's Nothing Shameful About Accountability
Sadly, here we go again. On 8 August 2008, ABC aired and posted a public confirmation by former presidential candidate John Edwards of an affair. Edwards reported that more than a year earlier he had confessed to his wife. But Edwards' campaign supporters now had to absorb the fact that their presidential candidate had repeatedly lied to them (and to the nation) when pressed by the media about the allegation -- and that he had lied while he was still in the running.
Why I thank God for Charles Darwin
July 1st marked the 150th anniversary of the theory of evolution. For years, I believed that Darwin was of the devil. Now, I deeply honor his contribution to religion and my walk with God. Indeed, other than Jesus, no one has had a more positive impact on my faith and my ministry than has Charles Darwin.
For the last six years as an itinerant evolutionary evangelist, I have preached the good news of evolution from the pulpits of hundreds of churches across America.
Honoring Charles Darwin
Last week, NY Times op-ed blogger and evolutionary biologist Olivia Judson wrote a remarkable piece about the coming 18 months of "Darwinmania!". From July 1, 2008 through the end of 2009, Charles Darwin's life and work will be celebrated in countless ways and by countless groups throughout the world. The question Dr. Judson poses (and 350 people responded to) is: "Darwin got all the glory, but did he deserve it?"
Dr. Judson is an excellent writer and I've enjoyed reading her column "The Wild Side" the past year or two. But I was caught by surprise, even moved to tears, by this post.
Why Evangelize Evolution?
I'm often asked, as I was on Christian talk radio yesterday afternoon, "Why do you evangelize evolution? What are you hoping to accomplish?" My answer, of course, depends on what kind of audience I'm addressing.
I share the Great News of the science-based history of the Universe as passionately and as inspiringly as I know how (which is what I mean when I say I "evangelize evolution") for a variety of reasons. When I speak to evangelicals, what I'm hoping to accomplish is not exactly the same as when I speak in a non-Christian or non-religious context.
WHEN I SPEAK TO ALL AUDIENCES, I STRESS THE FOLLOWING:
TGFE Born Again!
I'm thrilled to announce that Thank God for Evolution (affectionately known by Connie and me as TGFE, pronounced "tee-gee-fee") has been born again! In April, Viking Penguin bought world rights to TGFE from Council Oak Books, the original publisher. The publication date for the new Viking edition is June 23rd. And because the "born again" TGFE will have a new cover, this companion website is undergoing a makeover as well.
