Accused Quote by Theodosius Dobzhansky
“Does the evolutionary doctrine clash with religious faith? It does not. It is a blunder to mistake the Holy Scriptures for elementary textbooks of astronomy, geology, biology, and anthropology. Only if symbols are construed to mean what they are not intended to mean can there arise imaginary, insoluble conflicts. ... the blunder leads to blasphemy: the Creator is accused of systematic deceitfulness.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Evolutionary Biology, Theodosius Dobzhansky, 1973
Science and faith need not conflict; misunderstandings arise when sacred texts are read as literal scientific manuals.
In simple terms: Faith and science can coexist when interpreted correctly.
Key Takeaway
Interpret texts symbolically, not literally.
Themes
science
faith
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
respectful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious education
- science curricula
- interfaith dialogues
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
theology
epistemology
hermeneutics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we teach both scientific literacy and symbolic reading of texts?
- What role should religious leaders play in this dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Misinterpretation can still cause tension among believers and scientists.
![“The fundamental religious objection to the theory of evolution is not scientific but moral. [Fundamentalists believe that] evolutionary theory must be opposed because it leads to rampant immorality, on both the personal and political scales. The basic cause of this immorality is atheism.” quote by Elizabeth S. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a5/elizabeth-s-anderson-79971_atheism_the-fundamental-religious-objection-to-t_1735801.jpg)
