Evolution and religion

Ever since the seventeenth century, there has been debate about the compatibility of scientific findings and religious doctrines. During this period, many devout people have held that science and religion are fully compatible. With the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1859, however, the consistency of evolution and Christian religion has been an especially contested case. In particular, beliefs about the soul, beliefs about providence, and beliefs in supernatural powers and beings have been at the centre of the debate. But it has often happened that certain beliefs have been thought to be in conflict with Darwinism specifically, when the potential conflict is really with any naturalized scientific approach to biology and to the formation of human beliefs. Besides, there are different types of religion and religious commitment, and the problems involved in this debate are more acute for some than for others.