FINDING DARWIN'S GOD

A well-reasoned, intelligent text describing why followers of mainstream religions can also embrace the theory of evolution. Miller (Brown Univ.) presents the straightforward arguments that evolution is based on: Plants and animals show wide variation, and these variations must compete for limited resources. These statements displace the necessity of a creator to explain the origin of plants and animals. Miller argues, however, that this displacement does not necessarily disprove the existence of one. He relates his own experiences teaching introductory biology classes, during which students are surprised to discover that he believes in God. His arguments for the theory of evolution, while sometimes leaning toward the simplistic, persuasively point out that we often derive scientific facts (the composition of the sun, for example) from indirect evidence. The fact that we did not observe evolution taking place does not prevent us from supporting the theory empirically from the abundant fossil record. Miller similarly examines other arguments used against evolution, such as the age of the earth, punctuated equilibrium, and irreducible complexity, carefully examining each one. The picture he paints, aided by charts and graphs, is of evolution as a sound and proven scientific principle. Some creationists whose arguments are also examined seem to want to “raise reasonable doubt” against the theory of evolution, rather than present scientific evidence for an alternate theory. The author is disturbed that ’so many would have pinned their religious hopes on the inability of science to explain the natural world.” He is very much aware that reasoned arguments alone will not end the debate, placing his hopes instead on his conclusion that western religions and evolution are not mutually exclusive ideas. Although sounding like a high school textbook at times, an honest and heartfelt effort to bring together two disparate viewpoints.