Re: Evolution

Today a parishioner asked me what the Episcopal Church's stance on Evolution is. So I looked it up. This was passed last summer at General Convention:

Resolved, That the 75^th General Convention affirm that God is Creator, in accordance with the witness of Scripture and the ancient Creeds of the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopalians strongly encourage state legislatures and state and local boards of education to establish standards for science education based on the best available scientific knowledge as accepted by a consensus of the scientific community; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopal dioceses and congregations seek the assistance of scientists and science educators in understanding what constitutes reliable scientific knowledge.

You can read more at the General Convention 2006 website.

This is what I wrote to the curious parishioner: Like most things, Episcopalians are all over the map about this, but few are hard-core creationists or against the teaching of evolution in schools. Episcopalians tend to be science-friendly. It is part of our tradition from the beginning (Richard Hooker, c.1500s) that Anglicans count reason alongside scripture and tradition as the three legs of the stool Christian faith and theology stands on.

Most Episcopalians I know believe in Evolution. I do-- I believe the story and language of creation tells us that God is at the beginning of all things, and that is how we know that creation, and especially people, are sacred. The story tells us about how we should live. Just how God acted through evolution and physics to create the universe and life, I don't worry so much.