AGE OF EARTH AND EVOLUTION – CAN RELIGION AND SCIENCE RECONCILE?

Abstract

The debate about the creation of Earth and the beginning of life is often considered one of the main reasons for tensions between the religious and the scientific communities. There is a lack of agreement regarding how the process of creation (or evolution) began and how it moved forward. What do major Abrahamic religions really believe about the creation of Earth and origins of life on its? Is there a difference of viewpoints about these aspects within the religions? Do these viewpoints in contradiction to the scientific theories in full, or are there any commonalities between the two perspectives? Is it possible to offer new interpretations for the religious texts to ensure compatibility with the scientific discoveries? This paper has been written with an aim to explore answers to these questions while referring to the religious scriptures as well as the relevant scientific theories. We have started this discussion with an explanation of the scientific viewpoint of the creation of Earth. It is then followed by an overview of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic perspective. Next, the discussion moves on to the beginning of life on Earth. This aspect is explored from evolutionary as well as creationist point of views. After setting the context and necessary background, we have discussed in detail how these various viewpoints contradict or support each other.