What I wish I would have known in High School Bio (or, why Nessy is an object lesson)

I distinctly remember the sinking feeling in my stomach in my eleventh-grade Biology class as my professor discussed the implications of evolution: that life could begin and grow and multiply and thrive, and that in theory, it could be done without a God. As an adolescent questioning my faith, I wanted to avoid the subject entirely, out of fear that further investigation would reveal to me not only that everything I had been taught was wrong, but that I would find myself very much alone in the universe. Biology was to be avoided. And I certainly did not want to select any career that would require me to ponder it...

...so I've begun pursuing my high school Biology teaching license.

Needless to say, I've learned a few things along the way. I've expressed some of these ideas to members of my MAT cohort, and judging by their interest, I've become even more excited to share them. Perhaps my interest has bubbled over into my first blog post in a very long time, but I must say, I wish someone had been able to share these ideas with me at the turbulent age of sixteen.

My ideas are not new or unique. A 2007 survey of high school Biology teachers revealed that over half (51.5%) believe that God guided evolutionary processes occurring over billions of years. Only about a third of America in general feels this way. I'm one voice of many, so why are we not heard? Why is it when I talk to my fellow grad students about this, their eyes get wide and they start asking amazing questions? Is there some underlying belief, however deep, that you can't really be a practicing Christian and a firm believer in Darwin's views?

I want so dearly to combat this. I don't want kids to feel like they have to choose between their faith or the fascinating world of science. What follows is a short list of what I want to tell them. Please feel free to give your feedback, as this list is not exhaustive.

What I wish I would have known in High School Biology

Creationists are not going extinct
America said "Yea God" over three decades of research.

If you believe the earth was purposely created, you are among the majority in America. I won't pretend I never felt the occasional sting of a teacher's comment on Christian ignorance, but let's be realistic in our assessment of the situation. Prejudice happens, but it happens both ways. The aforementioned survey of biology teachers revealed that more feel pressured not to teach Evolution (17.9%) than those who feel pressured not to teach Creationism (13.6%).

Evolution is not a theory of origins
Evolution does not explain the origin of life. Darwin hypothesized about this, saying that life could have started in some "warm pond" somewhere. But Evolution is the theory that species adapt and change over time in response to their environments. No origins required.

Nor is it "just a theory"
I was told this over and over, but by the time high school rolled around, it was little comfort to me. Yes, we still refer to this process as the Theory of Evolution. But to call it "just a theory" reveals a lack of knowledge about the scientific process, and makes you look silly to the VERY small group of those who I refer to as "militant anti-creationists" (Freedom from Religion Foundation and their notable Ball State incident, for example.) Scientific theories are tested and tested and tested. The more viable theories are the ones that last.

Proof is a strong word
Neither faith nor science, by definition, can be proven.

Let's imagine a man who genuinely believes the lochness monster exists. A scientist may come along and tell this man he is wrong, but can the scientist disprove the man? She can cite facts, raise the question of the chances of such a creature living so long, so hidden from modern means of detection, but to prove the non-existence of the lochness monster is impossible.

Now let's imagine that same man attempts to prove to our scientist that Nessy does exist. He tells about the numerous times he's seen this creature, so why is our scientist not convinced? No facts. It's an experience that the man had, and he can't verify an experience.

So it is in our current debate. It's why the 2014 Ken Ham/ Bill Nye debate was like watching a western shoot-out with pop guns. They kept missing each other. Their arguments fell short because they each only knew how to argue from their own extreme perspectives: all faith or all science. But what if we could blend the two? What if we could have faith and science?

You can have faith and science!

As a person raised Christian, I eventually chose Christianity for myself because I felt God's presence in my life. I can't verify that. I've felt His comfort literally rush through me when I sit quietly in prayer. Dopamine, you say? Released at the supposition of a mystical experience? Certainly, but who's to say God cannot cause chemical joy in our bodies at the realization of his presence? If I believe we are body and soul, matter and spirit, is it a surprise that I would need both the seen and the unseen to understand myself? And is this not a way that God would chose to reach us, knowing just how we are?

Much love,

Libby

Sources:

Plutzer, Eric and Michael B. Berkman. National Survey of High School Biology Teachers, 2007. Public use data file; January 12, 2010 release. Retrieved May 2014 from

http://www.thearda.com/Archive/files/Codebooks/HSBIOL_CB.asp

Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent Design. (n.d.). Gallup.com. Retrieved May 2014 from

http://www.gallup.com/poll/21814/evolution-creationism-intelligent-design.aspx

Detailed

Help me. I'm drowning in details.

I can see them swarm around me. Toole flows about my ankles, growing deeper by the minute. Silk flowers rain from above in a mass so thick that it threatens to replace the very air I breathe. Ribbons bind my wrists as the sky behind me takes on dangerous hues of coral, lemon yellow, and medium gray.

Once a wise woman told me never to plan a wedding while in college. To this, my response was a dismissive smile and a giggle. I had decided that, if the opportunity arose, I would be planning my own wedding and making the same mistake three years down the road. But how could I have known what I was getting into? I've always considered myself creative and crafty. And with the plethora of DIY that is Pintrest at my fingertips, my wedding planning would not only be easy, but fun.

But, oh, the details! Weighing many ideas against a budget. Accounting for assembly time. Multiplying everything by either the number tables or number of guests. Visiting the same store multiple times to use different coupons. Which florist? Too expensive. Can we order in bulk? Centerpieces? Oh, but this would look better. And Libby, what does your dream bouquet look like?

My dream bouquet would appear out of thin air into my waiting hands exactly two seconds before I walk down the aisle.

But during this busy season of my life, my Bible has laid on my desk, quietly. As I spent the semester balancing two jobs, three lab courses, choral participation, graduation prep, the grad school search, and a wedding, I forgot why I was doing it all. Surely God would understand. I mean, Jesus went to weddings... And he's certainly seen a few over the years. He would understand my need for a break from daily scripture reading. Unfortunately, I didn't understand how detrimental such a break would be for myself.

I think I've finally figured something out. It's not the act of reading the Bible that produces in us some sort of magical peace and quiet strength. Disciplining myself to read a passage or two every day does nothing more than provide another detail for me to worry about. But the days when I can let go of the details for even a few seconds and talk to God as if He was sitting next to me... those are moments of peace that strengthen me even when it seems like the whole world wants to know whether or not we will have ushers or who gets a corsage. Sometimes my Bible is open, sometimes it's not. But just because the Bible is the Word of God doesn't mean that this is the only way that God speaks to us. Neglecting to read my Bible left me feeling very alone. And not because I wasn't reading/doing, but because I wasn't listening.

Once upon a time, a woman named Martha had Jesus as a guest. She cooked a nice dinner and fussed over all the details. Her sister, however, didn't help. She sat at Jesus' feet and listened. Of course Martha was mad! This was the most important dinner she would ever cook and she needed her sister's help. In her frustration, Martha forgot propriety and complained about her sister to Jesus. Jesus probably smiled and rolled his eyes. "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
-Luke 10:41b-42 (NLT)

May I find and hold on to the only thing worth all the time and effort.