Title: Theory of evolution - Religion and science - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - BBC Bitesize
Headings: Theory of evolution
Religion and science
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Theory of evolution
Is the theory of evolution compatible with Christianity?
Why might it be compatible?

Content: Darwin was a natural science graduate of Cambridge University and a geologist. He was also a Christian. Darwin did not intend to challenge religious beliefs with his book but many religious believers responded to it with fury. These reasons included: The theory of evolution seemed to go against religious teachings that God made the Earth and created all living things, as they knew them. Christians believed that God had created humans 'in his own image', that humans were superior to all other creatures and had a soul that is immortal. The theory of evolution challenged the idea that God is the designer of the universe and that the beauty, order and complexity of the universe is evidence of this ( the design argument). The idea that living things adapt to their environment was opposed to their belief that God had created the perfect environment for them. The Bible says humans were created on the sixth day of creation, not over a period of millions of years. These scientific theories were first put forward in the 19th century, when Christianity was an important influence on people's lives and the way they thought.