Pagans/Wiccans how do you perceive the Science of Evolution?

Question

It is quite the topic amongst the Christians and Atheists but not sure how you ppl think of this topic. Also if you do think evolution is a fact, how does the idea of fairies and other creatures like that play into this equation? Or are they just myths and legends?
Thanks.

Answer 1

There are things that are physically true, and there are things that are spiritually true. These two things are not always the same. I believe in evolution, and use science as the determining factor on my beliefs about the way the world works. We can't just decide something isn't true because we don't like it. If we don't think something is true after all, then we can use the scientific method to expand what we know until we find a better answer.

Regarding mythical creatures, many of these are not what they seem. The fair folk are invariably ancestor spirits, for example. Thus, they are no longer bound by the laws of evolution- that happens when you're dead. As for the weirder beasts, many of these have rational explanations as well. Look at dragons- in myth, they were often metaphors. They represented a challenge to overcome, or (in western european myth) a force of evil. That these things don't physically exist doesn't make tales of them less important.

Do I believe in these things, and gods and goddesses? Yes, emphatically. But they're not part of the physical world, and science is the study of the physical world. These things need not conflict in my worldview.

Answer 2

Evolution fits in quite well with the Greek creation myth, to which I subscribe. It fits well with a Druid creation myth I heard recited at a ritual once. Most Pagans realize that myths are metaphores for greater truths anyway. In short, I dig it.

Myths and legends... again, all metaphore. But it's also real. It's cultural history and can't be dismissed as easily as some folks would like to. Everything exists because we believe it. If a tree falls in a forest... Schrodenger's cat, etc. If there is material life, why can't there be ethereal life? Of course there is! Faeries are not little pretty things on dragonfly wings, but they are real. Some stories are clearly metaphores for different species of humans. Remember that there were once many different types of hominids living side by side. Others clearly metaphores for now-extinct creatures. But some are spirit creatures that can be seen by those who look for them. People simply saw more clearly before Realism and Materialism became the fashion of the day. The more people agree that things are real, the more they are real. Therefore, everything has the potential for reality and nothing is true.

Answer 3

Evolution is real, and the facts are clear we did not just suddenly appear. I cannot say anything about fairies, but dragons could very well have existed, but they probably died out at about the same time as the dinosaurs. We just need to find an animal in the fossil record that fits the description of dragons, and that would solve that problem. All legends are based on some ancient fact, so to say that it is not real is unscientific. We must all ways keep an open mind about these things; mainly so we don't end up kicking our selves when we are proved wrong.

Blessed Be

24 y.o. Pagan College Student

Answer 4

i am 100% evolutionary - that is the perfect explanation on how life came to be on the Earth (and most likely other plants as well some place)

I do also believe there are other planes that allow some of the metaphysical\paranormal happenings that are described in various religions. Like the energy that is part of a living being continues on after the body is dead. Perhaps the existence of conscious energy. Sometimes humans can interact with this plane and these beings. Various belief systems interpret these different ways. Could account for stories of fairies, angels, ghosts and such. But these things cannot be proven, and belong in the faith department and not in the same area as science at all.

Answer 5

We don’t have a set rule about it. We all have different beliefs (to a degree.) I think science has done more good than harm in the world, which is why I was upset when the good ol chief and commander vetoed the stem cell research bill. The fetuses will be destroyed any way, so let’s not find a way to cure cancer, or to get people out of wheel chairs. Only a moron would do that.

you also have to take into account Fairies and other creature come from different realms, there for they might not be affected by evolution.

Answer 6

I believe in evolution, both in gradual development to fit an egological niche, and in occasional spontaneous mutation that eventually leads to a new species. However I also believe that there was a Divine influence that at least created the raw materials. I backtrack to the Big Bang and the question that keeps coming to mind is "If energy can neither be created nor destroyed, then where did all the energy come from in the first place?" There are some theories out there that can be just as weird as ID, in my opinion.

I also believe that there are other planes of existence than the purely physical one that we live in.

Answer 7

WOW you really are wacked. Wiccans don't all believe in fairies or other make-believe creatures.

Try learning a bit about the tradition before making wild assumptions.

Science simply explains the earth around us. Evolution is a theory of the science, but it does help to answer a lot to questions about our planet.

I don't see the problem. I don't see that this tradition conflicts with religion of any sort, it's those who follow blindly without questioning and using the Brains they were given that is the conflict.

Answer 8

To start off, we'll begin with the only Wiccan story of Creation that I am aware of. (The short version) So the Goddess is alone in black empty and sees her reflection in the darkness, falls in love, and explodes in one giant orgasm, creating all the galaxies in the Universe. (and the story goes on & gets better) Anyhow the begining of our romantic, erotic, version of creation (which we all know is a metaphor) is not that unlike the 'Big Bang' theory of modern day science.
Next subject, Pantheism (God & nature are one).
Although we are refered to as Pagans,(Paganism-beliefs in many Gods) we are also Pantheists. Many believe that every living thing on our great Mother Earth is connected. (Organtic Chemistry-all life forms are carbon base). And some believe that everything in the Universe is connected, every rock,stream, mountain, sunset. (Basic Chemistry- everything is made of Energy). These are common beliefs through out many cultures and civilization all over the world! This life force or energy is what we concider to be God. It is not an external being, yet a colaberation of the energy that exists in all. And our modern science has proven that it exists!
As far as Evolution...well the dinasours tell their own story. And it predates that silly book they side with by Millions of years. Nuff said.
Fairies...I like fairies! The soul has to progress through many lifetimes to reach it's goal as pure spirit. In beween lifetimes, spirits watch over us. The spiritual soul is an energy force. That energy can manifest here on Earth and contact us from time to time. Electronic equiptment, telephones, anything that will conduct energy is their medium. One of their favorite portals is Quartz Crystal. It is an excellent conducter of light energies. Hence you have your fairies!
For the most part though we may seem to live in a fantasy world. We are mearly exercising the child-like side of our brains. We know all too well that our rituals are symbolic, and we are able to look beyond illussion and find peace & tranquility on the other side.
Blessed Be...the enlightened!

Answer 9

I think that there are different planes of existence .How many times have you heard legends of people disappearing,then suddenly reappearing X amount of years later,and thinking it's the same year they left.Mental illness not withstanding.Or all the stories of ghosts?Or a person seeing angels,or a light at the end of the tunnel in a n.d.e.?What about the afterlife in general?Heaven,Hell, Summerlands,Tir Na nOg,Elysium Fields,Valhalla, etc?I believe I've made my point on that score.As for the 'real world', I agree with what was said in 'Inherit the Wind': Who says that a day to a (deity) is the same as a day to us?For Them,who's to say that a day to them isn't 10 million years to us?I totally believe in evolution.I'm not stupid.I know facts when they stare me in the face.

Answer 10

Regarding evolution...

There is no evidence that proves Atheistic MacroEvolution (without Intelligent Design)...

I used to believe in Evolution. However, over a period of time I have grown skeptical of the claims of Macro*Evolution... this is largely due to the weakness of the evidence for Macro*Evolution, and the fact that the evidence, rationally interpreted does not support the overarching claims made by Macro*Evolutionists...

For scientific and intellectual critiques of evolution, see http://www.godsci.org/gsi/apol/evo/00.html .

Cordially,
John