Special Creation for Atheists

Something that is often said in discussions about evolution and creation amongst both Christians and atheists is that evolution disproves God and hence is associated solely with atheism by default. Conversely many Christians reject the evidence for evolution in favour of a ultra-literal six day special creation ('because the Bible tells me so...') by God. This reinforces the viewpoint in both groupings of people.

So we get evolution = atheism and special creation = Theism (the belief in God). Very neat and tidy, eh?

For myself I reject this as evolution has very little to say on the subject of the existence or non-existence of God. Evolution describes (very well) the diversification of life on our world but this can be seen as compatible with either atheism or theism. It can't ultimately prove one or the other either way.

Which got me thinking. Why do theists such as ourselves think that special (i.e. instantaneous) creation (rather than gradual creation such as in evolution) is solely compatible with theism and not atheism as well?

It is a bit odd when there are (conceptually at least) special creation avenues in the natural laws of physics that may or may not be capable of creating instantly. Modern physics entertains a number of these possibilities. Things like white holes may exist that spew out information as a counterpoint to black holes that absorb it or if you take some interpretations of quantum phenomena objects are described by wavefunctions that instantly 'collapse' into familiar objects when observed.

I think the only reason we do ascribe special creation solely to theistic beliefs is because we associate special creation with a directed intelligent causation in our heads much more so than we do with a longer term gradual creation. Part of this I guess is the human mind trying to rationalise some possible but very unfamiliar observations of the universe by layering human creation methods onto them in an attempt to understand the universe better. A case maybe not so much of the human mind creating God, but the human mind creating the methods of action that God can be permitted to use.

This dichotomy is probably also why so many of the people in our churches struggle with God working through the gradual mechanism of evolution to bring about His purposes - because it is not how we would do it which makes it an initially difficult idea to ground ourselves in.

Neither viewpoint deals a knock out blow to either worldview. Whether or not we personally find it difficult we do have to make the effort to better understand evolution and appreciate it more. And also perhaps to stop being so arrogant and protective, so high and mighty, of instantaneous creation.

"also, he made the stars..." DLDown Album Review

This post will be a bit of a break from the normal theme of this blog but don't worry too much, I'm still untrendy but have friends who are more trendy (musically) than myself. One of those friends Jo Wilson sings as DLDown and has a new album out and officially launched it here in Edinburgh at a gig last Thursday.

DLDown's style is a bit hard to pin down. Its unique, experimental, familiar, confident and a bunch of other things. Jo plays and layers in multiple instruments as well as vocals to create a sound that is fresh and deeply woven. Annoyingly it is also full of incredibly catchy tunes that will stick with you long after they should (for the sake of your sanity). I keep coming back to them against my will.

The album is called 'also, he made the stars' (AHMTS) and follows on from the bands first album 'Puzzle' released a couple of years ago. The title of the album comes from Genesis 1:16, where God is described as bringing the stars into existence almost as an afterthought and thus underlining how incredible God is.

Jo composes and writes the songs himself and about issues, themes or thoughts that are in his current thinking. Songs in this new album range from ecology to the Resurrection to courting/checking out his (now) wife. I like to discuss God, Jo does too, but Jo is also awesome at doing this through music as well and this oozes out through this album. Questions are asked, answers considered but I think the joy of discovering more about God is what comes through here the most. A few of the songs on AHMTS are new versions of old favourites from the first album but improved takes on these and the rest are all new tracks.

Although this album is primarily a solo production the hat must be well tipped to a small supporting cast providing seamless additional vocals and instrumentation.

For much of the last year DLDown has been silent but its good to see it back again and the break only seems to have improved the material and its presentation. The words on the songs are edgier, more challenging, the presentation of the CD album slicker and Jo, both on track and live on stage, comes over as just that little bit more seasoned and confident.

If you have the time (or even if you don't) download/purchase/buy/sell your kidneys and get a hold of a copy of AHMTS - a perfect trade.

And it has to be said... AHMTS, so good... its criminal.

Christians in Science: Northern Conference 2010

Pretty much what it says on the tin.....

March 20th, here in Edinburgh! Wooo!

Big Day for Big Spiders

Exciting day today as I submitted some of the results from the spider scans back in August at Glasgow to a big international MRI conference. Hopefully it will be accepted, but if not there are plenty of other routes to try to get the work published in.

The submission was the first 'official' submission that I have researched, written and submitted as first author so it was actually quite an interesting and worthwhile experience even if nothing else comes from it.

One deadline down anyway!

More Links. :o)

Two more links while I work away to meet a couple tight deadlines... Normal service will resume soon enough.

Science and An Incarnational Approach to the Old Testament - A guest blog by Peter Enns over at Science and the Sacred.

Some Thoughts on Historians and Contemporary Anti-Evolutionism - An interesting article commenting on the misuse and modification of history by advocates of Intelligent Design to suit their goals and agendas.

Links of Recent Note

On Feeling at Home in the Family - From Science and the Sacred

Ron Numbers - Anti-evolution in America, from creation Science to Intelligent Design - from Pharyngula (not on my usual blog reading list, but a good article here).

And the Average Colour of the Universe apparently.

Dead Ringers

Sometimes so bad, but other times so very good...