Friends and Foes |
My first semester in college, I took an honors class called "The Basis of Evolution," which may sound surprising since evolution has nothing to do with my major and since I believe in the divine creation of the universe. However, I have found the subject of Evolution fascinating since sophomore year of high school and my intrigue has only grown. The book I read for the class and associated discussions has changed my view of the world, especially animals. I do believe that evolution is a fact just as much as I believe in divine Creators. Some, especially Richard Dawkins, the author of "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution", would most definitely argue that I cannot believe in both and that doing so would just prove that I do not really understand evolution. Indeed, under some definitions of evolution, specifically the ones that deny the existence of a creator, I cannot believe in both. However, the definitions of what evolution entails is subjective. The more I learned about evolution, my appreciation for the world and the life around me increased as did my realization that evolution does not answer the question "why did life start existing". Evolution does not and can not (no matter how much scientific data is revealed) answer all questions, but it does not have to in order to be true. I appreciate the knowledge studying evolution has given me, the opportunity I have had and am still having to ask questions about why things are the way they are, and the realization that I can probably never completely understand it all in this life.
I realize and respect that you may believe differently. Regardless of personal beliefs, I hope we may all enjoy and appreciate the art of life. This page features the life of animals, both those typically considered to respond amiably with homo sapiens and those that we regard as natural foes, captured by one of my favorite tools of art, the camera lens. __________ |