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Did Darwin kill God?

Creationism is just plain dumb. It is a Christian invention from the twentieth century based on a series of ridiculous misunderstandings. It has nothing to do with neither faith nor science. It has to do with morals, upbringing, politics, and influence. There are no noble motives. There is no theological support. When the layers of the creationist onion have been peeled, you are left with nothing but a few tears in your eyes.

The Christian theologian and philosopher Conor Cunningham is ruthless in his criticism. He clearly states his opinions and is not afraid to make them known. One of the most important Darwin broadcasts in 2009 was not about evolution. It was about religion.

Stupid creationists

“You may think that that would make me an atheist. But I’m a Christian. I believe in God”. This is how Cunningham starts out. Honest, open, and proactive. With a firm stare and an uncompromising insistence on uptaining proper answers, well founded knowledge, and a clear message, he takes on the discussion of creationism and intelligent design in a competent and necessary way.  Darwin did not kill God. It is quite possible to be a Christian while accepting the theory of evolution. There is no internal contradiction.

It is not a matter of science. It is strictly a matter of religion. You do not need evolutionary scientists to explain it. You need theological insight, historical knowledge, and the courage to take hold of the most painful points.

Cunningham has it all and the verdict is clear: the conflict between science and religion, between evolution and creation, is based on a misunderstood science, incorrect history, poor philosophy, and an even worse theology. In a supreme and well documented manner, Cunningham seriously communicates his message that the alleged conflict between science and religion is based on misinterpretations and manipulation.

With a literal reading of the biblical genesis or the intelligent design’s crafty utilization of the law, the Christian fundamentalists rage against a well-founded scientific theory which does not separate itself from any other scientific theory. They are simply not aware of the century long Christian tradition of reading between the lines and finding the allegorical meaning of the bible. They claim to be Christian but they do not know Christianity.

Dangerous creationists

Creationists and representatives from the intelligent design movement are dangerous to Christianity. Their ideas are so far removed from the standard orthodoxy and tradition that they are not recognised by neither scholars of theology, prominent Protestants and Catholics, nor ordinary priests as representative of their religion. What is worse, the loud mouthed creationism and the on-going discussion of the incompatibility of science and religion will affect the public image of Christians and people of any religion in the eyes of non-Christians and everyone else.

Cunningham shows that the creationist reality is so far removed from both the recognised theological scholarly tradition and the commonly practised everyday Christianity that no one should take creationism or the intelligent design movement seriously. Nonetheless, a financially strong and moralising minority has been able not only to discredit science and plant false accusations everywhere but also to create an oblique and misconstrued image of religiosity in general.

It is as a Christian that Cunningham reacts to creationism. And that is where the reaction should come from. Just as any other religion should respond to the poor management provided by minority representatives such as creationist indoctrination and intelligent design propaganda.

Do not jump on the creationist bandwagon

It is important that we hear the Christian critique of Christian creationism, just as we should hear the Jewish critique of Jewish creationism, the Muslim critique of Muslim creationism, the Hindu critique of Hindu creationism etc. It is this critique which is interesting. It is precisely this critique that can make other people of faith realize that it is possible for one’s faith to remain intact while accepting modern science. That it is actually the rule and not the exception.

It is not science which has been shaken to its core by creationism and the intelligent design movement. It is the religions. It is a both refreshing and welcome change that a philosophical and theological talent such as Conor Cunningham retorts the creationist nonsense. It is needed.

Peter C. Kjærgaard

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