IN THEORY:

This month marked the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. His “On the Origin of Species,” has left a lasting impact on how we view our world. How do you think Darwin’s theory of evolution has affected your faith?

The Zen practitioner is a scientist. Through meticulous observation, he or she studies his or her own mind — the way thoughts and emotions actually arise, expire or repeat. People tend to take this inner dialogue for granted and do not question it.

Zen practitioners also carefully study the situations and events of their daily life. For example, do I have general ideas and opinions about sea gulls, or do I actually see and hear this Western gull eating a starfish? Am I enjoying the experience of my morning walk on the beach or am I lost in thought, unable to be affected by the reality around me because I am preoccupied with incessant thinking and emotional baggage? Suffering results from what is so aptly referred to as this “monkey mind.”

There is no conflict between the way of Zen and the discoveries of science such as evolution. Zen is not based on faith, and there is no world view to be defended. Zen is silent about the existence of God, the Big Bang theory or first causes. Our situation is compared to that of a person who has been shot by an arrow: The priority is to remove it and treat the wound, rather than to waste time speculating about who shot it and why. But evolution, quantum physics and ecology have tended to substantiate the findings of early Zen “scientists” about the impermanence and interdependence of life.

The Rev. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa

The official position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Darwin’s legacy is clear: It doesn’t have one. While individual Latter-day Saints are free to form their own opinions, the Encyclopedia of Mormonism says, “The scriptures tell us why man was created, but it doesn’t tell us how.” Leaders further state, from an official declaration in 1931, “Leave geology, biology, archaeology and anthropology, none of which has to do with the salvation of the souls of man, to scientific research.”

In a 1911 editorial, the then-Prophet of the Church stated: “The Church itself has no philosophy about the modus operandi employed by the Lord in his creation of the world.”

At the core educational institution of the Church, Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, they teach a “solid rigorous evolution course … without modification of Darwin’s theories.” One of the professors indicated, “We need to be careful not to think that we understand everything, both from a science and religious perspective. It’s OK not to have all the answers.”

In my personal faith journey, I emphasize my relationship with Jesus Christ as my Savior and advocate with the Father, and concern myself with being a better servant, son, father, grandfather, husband, citizen and neighbor. Issues yet to be answered go on my “problem shelf,” where they remain to be occasionally reexamined or removed as my understanding expands. While not an unquestioning devotee, I am fascinated with Darwin’s passion for observation and honor him as a great scientist.

Tom Thorkelson

Director of Interfaith Relations for Orange County

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Our congregation just celebrated “Evolution Sunday,” to recognize Darwin’s accomplishments and lift up both faith and science.

It seems as though Darwin and Jesus have been pitted against each other as if Darwin were out to destroy Christianity. He has become the “patron saint” of atheists, and yet he, himself, never identified as an atheist.

As humans, we’ve been gifted with incredible minds to think, discern and learn. God created us with the desire that we use our brains to the fullest. Science and faith are not in conflict, and my congregation reminds us not “to check our brains at the door.”

God is an integral part of the evolutionary process. I certainly don’t always understand science, and likewise I certainly don’t always understand God — but I believe in them both.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church