Seattle Times “faith and values” guest columnist Barbara Dority on Darwin Day

From the Seattle Times “faith and values” section:

Feb. 12, 2009, will be the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth.

Scientists, rationalists, humanists, atheists and religious people of all kinds will celebrate Darwin Day around the globe. As described at www.darwinday.org, this annual event will get special attention this year, with more than 250 events planned in 30 countries.

Some people are dismayed or even threatened by the concept of evolution. It supports the conclusion that humans were not specially created by a supernatural being. Rather, we are all members of a species that has descended slowly over time from precursor life-forms.

Although neither Darwin nor evolutionary science can prove that there is no divine intervention or human afterlife, they greatly weaken such arguments. They lead scientists and rational thinkers to conclude that our existences are limited to whatever time we have on earth.

In spite of my ultimate demise, I find the human experience thrilling. All species exist on this earth because of a singular evolutionary process. DNA analysis and changes during fetal development prove we are all connected in a single web of life. We are all companions on this journey through time. Therefore, don’t we as humans, with the most advanced brains, have a responsibility to not only cause no harm to other species but to serve as stewards of our planet?

Join us tomorrow for a Darwin Day celebration, including cake, interactive games and a Darwin impersonation contest, from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Juanita Community Club in Kirkland.