Intelligent Design or Evolution?

The debate over "intelligent design" and "evolution" is ridiculous. With all the looming disasters in the world, the most threatening to the future of humanity are the man-made ones. Those who cause these demonstrate neither intelligence, nor design, nor evolution. Instead, the self-destructive practices of people who supposedly are responsible leaders are both stupid and anti-evolutionary! If life is a product of "Intelligent Design," and humans are made in God's image, how come our current events show so little intelligence? If life is a product of evolutionary forces of adaptation and natural selection, how come our current policies and relationships are against adaptation?

Is it possible to believe in either "intelligent design" or "evolution" when human behavior appears to be racing to a conclusion that would negate both? The problems of humanity are not caused by the failure of either theory, but by deception.

First, why do we deceive ourselves into thinking that both concepts are incompatible and antagonistic to each other? Any successful human invention demonstrates both intelligent design and evolution. Intelligent design follows laws of science and aesthetics, and is ultimately useful and beautiful. Evolution is the progressive impulse towards perfection and refinement. If humans can do this in the material world, why do we not do it in the social and political world?

Second, we deceive ourselves into thinking that it is important that one concept prevail over the other as an explanation for our existence. What good is an explanation of existence if humans have the power to violate it at every turn? Our problems are huge not because of theories on how our world came about, but by the effects of human choices. How can we deny the powerful forces of human will and responsibility?

We do not have the time nor the luxury to debate philosophical and theological issues when there is so much to do to fix our planet and improve human life. If either concept is true, it will be proven by human behavior. People will cooperate and take the necessary intelligent actions to solve the problems of humanity without wasting time or resources. Both theories are essential parts of the broader concept that all is united in an integrated, interdependent system in constant improvement. Human beings must make the choices that prove beyond lip-service or debate that we live in an evolving world governed by intelligence. Achieving peace, health, and a secure, happy life for all will be the undeniable proof.

© 2005 Richard Sidy

Contact me with your comments about this topic

Related Articles: Series on Science and Religion Series on Leadership Series on Global Consciousness

 

 

 

Support child survival, protection and development:
Donate to U.S.A. Fund for UNICEF

Hurricane Katrina Relief:
Donate to American Red Cross

Archives 2005 Volumn 4	January: "Standing up for Humanity" February: "The Wake of Disaster" – a poem March: "Unity in Diversity April: "Life is Calling" May: "Entertainment" – a poem June: "Thought and Imagination" part 1 July: "Thought and Imagination" part 2 August: "Imagination and Healing" September: "Malice or Neglect? – Lessons of Katrina" October: "Protecting Children" November: "Intelligent Design or Evolution?" December: "Building with one hand, destroying with the other"
Archives 2006 Volumn 5	January: "Conflict, Harmony, and Integrity" February: "Satyagraha or Soul-force and Political Change" March: "I Know I'm Not Alone - Wisdom of Michael Franti" April: "Human Programming and Conflict Part I" May: "Human Programming and Conflict Part II" June: "Soccer Diplomacy" July: "Sustainable Development is Nature's Way August: "Parallel Universes" September: "The News is not New" October: "Legalizing Torture" November: "Living Without an Enemy" December: "Fast Food is really Slow Food"
Archives 2007 Volumn 6	January: "State of Fear" February: Criminal Justice - "The Powerful Over the Weak" March: "Culture Shock: The Good Life and Survival" April: "March Madness" May: "No Child Left Behind" Leaves Many Teachers Behind June: "Personal Ecology" July: Criminal Justice - "The Ethic of Custodianship" August: "Exploring the Mind - part 1" September: "Exploring the Mind - part 2: The Poetic Mind October: "How Much Pain Can We Stand?" November: "When Languages Disappear" December: "Is it Enough to be Tolerant?"
Archives 2008 Volumn 7	January: "Beyond Ideology: Politics of the Future " February: "Beyond the Bush Years" March: "The Imaginary Economy - Part I April: "The Imaginary Economy - Part II May: Questions from Prison June: "iGods and Connectivity" July: "Energy Independence" August: "Tribalism and the 2008 Elections September: "Guilt, Shame and U.S. Justice" October: "Have We Been Willing Slaves?" November: "Are We Ready for the Future?" December: "Are we done learning from pain?"
Archives 2009 Volumn 8	January: "Awakening" February: "When Sacrifice is no Sacrifice" March: "The Good New Days" April: "The Power of Metaphor" May: "The Conflict of Mythologies" June: "The Time is Right" July: "The New Anarchy" August: "The Art of Living" September: "Outrage" October: "Are Women Becoming More Unhappy? November: "Effect of the manufacturing culture on the American Psyche" December: Who are the Real Game Changers?
Archives 2010 Volumn 9	January: The Music of Place February: Earthquakes and Other Awakenings March: Sense of Place, Sense of Self, Sense of Humanity April: Why Do People Serve? May: Decentralizing Food and Energy June: Beyond Reading and Writing — Ecological literacy July: Organization or Organism? August: Fear and Cynicism = “Inter-fear-ance” September: Are we afraid of our "Better Angels?" October: Choosing Our Battles November: Meeting the Need December: A Living Canvas