Source: The Tennessean
Rachel Held Evans had a choice while growing up in
Dayton, Tenn., site of the 1925 Scopes Monkey
Trial. Believe the Bible or believe evolution.
"I was taught that if you don't interpret Genesis 1
and 2 literally, then you don't take the Bible
seriously,'' said Evans, 29. "I held on tightly to that
for a long time.''
Evans says creationism — the belief that God created the Earth around 6,000 years ago in six days — was commonplace in her town. Unable to reconcile science with her faith, Evans embraced evolution.
"I learned you don't have to choose between loving
and following Jesus and believing in evolution,'' she
said. She chronicled her personal journey in a new
memoir, Evolving in Monkey Town.
Evans is part of a movement of mostly Protestant
writers and scientists trying to reconcile faith and
science, 85 years after the trial ended. Instead of
choosing sides, some prefer the middle ground of
intelligent design, which claims God designed how
life evolved. Tennessee gubernatorial candidates
Ron Ramsey, Zach Wamp and Mike McWherter all
advocate teaching intelligent design in schools.