Notes on Evolution and Religion – Dr G Abdelal
Common Ancestry
- Darwin’s Tree of Life: Life forms share a common ancestry, represented as a branching tree rather than a hierarchical “Great Chain of Being.”
- Fossil Evidence: Fossils showcase extinct species and gradual change over millions of years, contrasting with previous “young Earth” views.

Figure 1: Darwin’s Tree of Life, incorporating evolutionary connections and religious symbols.
Science and Religion on Fossil Evidence
- Religious Perspective:
- Old Testament, Bible, and Quran reference beings before humans (e.g., giants, jinn, Al-Hinn, Al-Binn).
- Fossil evidence of extinct species could correspond to these pre-human beings.
- Gap Theory in Christianity allows for millions of years before Adam’s creation.
- Scientific Perspective:
- Fossils reveal ancient life forms (e.g., dinosaurs, early mammals) extinct long before humans.
- Evolution explains species’ gradual change and extinction via natural processes.

Figure 2: A visual dialogue between a scientist and a religious scholar, symbolising their perspectives on Earth’s history.
- Complementary Narratives:
- Religious teachings might describe phases of creation, aligning with fossil records.
- Fossils could represent beings from earlier stages of life on Earth mentioned in the scriptures.
- Bridging Perspectives:
- Evolution explains the “how” of life’s changes; religion explores the “why.”
- Both science and faith can offer complementary insights into Earth’s long history.
Conclusion
- Unified Understanding:
- Fossil evidence doesn’t necessarily conflict with religious beliefs.
- Science and religion may narrate the same story from different perspectives.
- Together, they provide a fuller picture of the history and purpose of life on Earth.
The Challenge to Fixity of Species
- Dynamic vs. Static: Darwin challenged the idea that species are immutable, showing they adapt and evolve over time through natural selection.
- Speciation: Explained the gradual accumulation of changes leading to new species through lineage splitting.

Figure 3: A visual comparison of the Watchmaker analogy with natural selection, symbolising the contrast between a designer and natural processes.
Adaptation vs. Speciation
- Religious Perspective:
- Speciation feels speculative; observed changes may just be natural variations within species.
- Adaptation to environments doesn’t necessarily equate to forming new species.
- Interbreeding between populations suggests they remain the same species despite adaptations.
- Scientific Perspective:
- Adaptation is the first step, but divergence in genetics and behaviour can lead to reproductive isolation and speciation.
- Speciation is a gradual process, observable in its early stages but difficult to confirm within short timescales.
- Fossil records and patterns suggest speciation over millions of years, though direct observation is limited.
Natural Theology and Divine Design
- Displacement of Design: Darwin’s theory shifted the explanation of complexity from divine creation to natural processes like natural selection.
- Religious Reactions:
- Resistance from some communities due to conflicts with literal interpretations of creation.
- Reconciliation by theologians who view natural selection as part of God’s design.

Figure 4: A symbolic representation of the dialogue between science and faith, connecting natural selection with divine creation through mutual understanding
Lamarckism vs. Darwinism
- Lamarckism Rejected: Darwin’s natural selection replaced Lamarck’s idea of acquired traits being passed to offspring.
- Random Variation: Darwin emphasised random genetic changes shaped by natural selection.
Impact of Darwin’s Theory
- Scientific Paradigm Shift: Transformed biology into a dynamic science focused on change and adaptation.
- Influence on Other Fields: Concepts like “survival of the fittest” impacted anthropology, psychology, and economics.
- Foundation for Modern Biology: Laid the groundwork for genetics, explaining inheritance and evolution at the molecular level.
Religious Perspective on Natural Selection
- Challenges to Natural Selection:
- Natural selection requires an initial system and rules—implying a designer.
- Complexity and order in nature point to divine creation rather than randomness.
- The Watchmaker Analogy: Life’s complexity resembles a watch needing a watchmaker, suggesting God as the designer.
Faith vs. Science:
- Faith answers questions science cannot fully address, such as the origin of natural laws.
- Scientists should focus on demonstrable evidence and avoid speculative conclusions about existential matters.
What is DNA?
- Definition: DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) carries genetic instructions for all living organisms.
- Structure: Composed of four bases—Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G)—paired as A-T and C-G in a double-helix structure.
- Function: DNA sequences encode proteins, the building blocks of life, determining physical traits and biological functions.
- Genes: Specific DNA sections that code for particular proteins.

Figure 5: A visualisation of DNA, its structure, and its environmental impacts, along with natural selection symbols like finches with different beak shapes
DNA Changes Due to Environmental Impact
- Dynamic Nature: DNA can mutate due to environmental factors like UV radiation, leading to population changes over time.
- Mutation Effects:
- Some mutations provide advantages, e.g., darker skin in high UV areas.
- Advantageous mutations may be passed down through generations via natural selection.
- Example: Genetic adaptation to drinking milk in adulthood due to dairy domestication.
- Role in Evolution:
- Environmental pressures influence genetic changes but not all mutations lead to evolution.
- Only changes aiding survival and reproduction contribute to natural selection.
Speciation vs. Environmental Adaptation
- Environmental Adaptation:
- Changes within a species to better survive in its environment.
- Example: Birds developing longer beaks to access food sources.
- Speciation:
- Occurs when populations of a species become genetically distinct and reproductively isolated.
- Reproductive isolation (e.g., geographic barriers) prevents interbreeding, leading to new species.
- Example: Darwin’s finches developed different beak shapes, eventually forming new species due to genetic divergence.
- Key Difference:
- Adaptation is survival-driven change within a species.
- Speciation is a long-term process of divergence, creating entirely new species.
Conclusion
- DNA as the Core: DNA changes underlie adaptation and speciation.
- Adaptation vs. Speciation:
- Adaptation improves survival in a changing environment.
- Speciation requires prolonged separation and genetic divergence.
- Process Connection: Adaptation is often the first step that may lead to speciation over time and with reproductive isolation.

Figure 6: depicts adaptation versus speciation, showing birds adapting to environments and becoming separate species through reproductive isolation.