We All Live in Darwin's World

by Karen Wright

You could call Helen Fisher a Darwinian matchmaker. The acclaimed anthropologist from Rutgers University is also a best-selling author of books on love and the chief scientific adviser to an online dating service called Chemistry.com. This service utilizes a questionnaire that Fisher developed after years of research on the science of romantic attraction. It reveals which of four broad, biologically based personality types an applicant displays and helps identify partners with compatible brain chemistry. In designing the questionnaire, Fisher relied on the principles of evolutionary psychology, a field inspired by Charles Darwin’s insights. She has even used those principles to size up Darwin himself. (He is a “negotiator,” “imaginative and theoretical,” “unassuming, agreeable, and intuitive”—but also married, alas, and dead.)

Fisher’s work is just one of the innumerable offshoots of Darwin’s grand theory of life. In the 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species, it seems no sphere of human thought or activity has been left untouched by Darwinian analysis. Evolutionary theory has infiltrated the social sciences, where it has been used to explain human politics and spending habits. It has transformed computer science, inspiring problem-solving algorithms that adapt and change like living things. It is cited by a leading theoretical physicist who proposes that evolution helped shape the laws governing the cosmos. A renowned neuroscientist sees ideas of selection as describing the honing of connections among brain cells. Literary critics analyze the plots, themes, and characters of novels according to Darwinian precepts. Even religion, the sector most famously at odds with Darwin, now claims an evolutionary evangelist.

Religion, science should exist in harmony

By Rev. Carleton Stock, Northminster Presbyterian Church

Last March, the Rev. Michael Dowd came to our church to make a presentation based on his book, "Thank God for Evolution." The room was full, and he was well received.

Dowd has been called America's evolutionary evangelist. He has dedicated his life to proclaiming the "Great Story" of a sacred view of cosmic, biological and human evolution.

He gives thanks for evolution

By David Hasemyer

To make a point, the Rev. Michael Dowd drops to his knees and scoops an imaginary handful of dust to his face and breathes deeply.

The biblical scripture Dowd is pantomiming comes from Genesis and says: "God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

Thinking large spells end of evolution 'war'

by Bryan Patterson

MICHAEL Dowd, a man with a passion for science and religion, calls himself an evolutionary evangelist.

Since 2002, the ordained United Church of Christ minister and his atheist wife, science writer Connie Barlow, have travelled the world celebrating evolution as a grand epic spiritual story.

They have dedicated their work to proclaiming the "great news of a sacred view of cosmic, biological and human evolution".

Pentecostal minister Michael Dowd preaches merger of science/religion after 'evolutionary epiphany'

by Aaron Ogg

SPRING LAKE -- The Rev. Michael Dowd said an evolutionary worldview is invaluable for enriching one's faith in God.

"My focus and inspiration is in what's natural, in what's real, in what science tells us about everything -- including our own brains," said Dowd, author of the 2009 book "Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World."

Evangelists present evolution in a ‘sacred way’

 BY MARK STEIGENGA

Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd live entirely on the road.

The husband and wife team has been on the road since 2002 when Barlowand Dowd launched a traveling life as “America’s evolutionaryevangelists.”

“We don’t have a home,” Dowd, an ordained United Church of Christminister, tells audiences. “We don’t even have a storage bin. We livepermanently on the generosity of people who open up their homes to us.

“My wife is an internationally acclaimed science writer. We cametogether as the marriage of science and religion to preach and teach onthe road the marriage of science and religion for personaland planetary wellbeing.”

The preaching and teaching road leads the evangelists to People’sChurch in Ludington on Sunday, May 31, where Connie preaches the 11a.m. service and Michael leads a 7 - 9 p.m. workshop entitled “ThankGod for Evolution.” People’s Church is at 115 W. Loomis St.

The Daily News made cell phone contact with Barlow and Dowd last weekwhile the couple took part in a writing workshop in Maine. Connie Barlow began the conversation.

“For both of us, evolution has not only become our fundamental worldview and how we view the universe but also the source of comfort andsolace and inspiration and hope — all of the kinds of things thattraditionally come from religion.

“My coming from the science side and having never really embraced anysort of religious perspective, for me it’s just become a wonderful wayto have all the benefits of religion in my life.

“For Michael it is a way to hold on to the core concepts of hisChristian understanding while not having to wait for some other worldor some future in order to get the benefits. It’s all right here now.

'Thank God for Evolution' author on Island tomorrow

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Rev. Michael Dowd, author of "Thank God for Evolution," will give a presentation tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island in New Brighton.

A former anti-evolutionist, Rev. Dowd now preaches evolution as theology, not theory.

Trying to meld religion, science

by Gene Taylor

The keynote speaker at a Texas Wesleyan University forum says that religious teachings don't belong in public school science classes, but students should have the chance to take courses that discuss how science can enrich their religious faith.

Michael Dowd, author of Thank God For Evolution, said that such courses could come under the umbrella of humanities or worldview classes.

Thank God for Evolution!

Interview with Stuart Davis | Text by Corey W. deVos

Michael Dowd, celebrated author of the book, Thank God for Evolution, talks with Stuart Davis about his own journey from religious fundamentalism to evolutionary spirituality, the contours of his evolutionary approach, his relationship with his wife and teaching partner Connie, his response to the New Atheist movement, and his hopes about the future of evolution on this planet. He and Stuart also discuss the secret to Michael's conciliatory approach to teaching, which has enabled him to speak amicably with both religious fundamentalists and scientific materialists alike, while helping to build conceptual and relational bridges to cross the gap between science and spirituality.

Science is my job - faith is my rock

by Zosia Bielski

This week, when Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, declined to discuss his Christian beliefs in the face of accusations that they were influencing his work, the fallout cast new light on the challenges of religious individuals who work in science fields: How do they reconcile their professional passions with their belief in God?