Religious Groups' Views on Evolution

Buddhism

Many Buddhists see no inherent conflict between their religious teachings and evolutionary theory. Indeed, according to some Buddhist thinkers, certain aspects of Darwin's theory are consistent with some of the religion's core teachings, such as the notion that all life is impermanent.

Catholicism

The Catholic Church generally accepts evolutionary theory as the scientific explanation for the development of all life. However, this acceptance comes with the understanding that natural selection is a God-driven mechanism of biological development and that man's soul is the divine creation of God.

Episcopal Church

In 1982, the Episcopal Church passed a resolution to "affirm its belief in the glorious ability of God to create in any manner, and in this affirmation reject the rigid dogmatism of the ‘Creationist' movement." The church has also expressed skepticism toward the intelligent design movement.

Read the full report Religious Groups' Views on Evolution on the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life's Web site.

Also view the related graphic Religious Differences on the Question of Evolution.