The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology recently hosted its sixth installment of the Genomics for Faith series. During the workshop, scientists and faith leaders explored the theory of evolution, how faith traditions have interacted with this concept from its proposal to the present day, and sources of misunderstanding that have inhibited trust among religious and scientific groups.

Supported by the Wayfarer Foundation, Genomics for Faith fosters an open dialogue between University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scientists and members of local faith communities to promote shared understanding. The workshop series is a part of IGB’s Genomics for^TM program, which aims to bring trustworthy scientific information to different demographic and professional groups, including judges, prosecutors, and journalists. 

The recent workshop, held at the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center on March 25, 2025, started with a brief scientific presentation from IGB Regional Outreach Program Manager Dan Urban. This was followed by group discussion facilitated by scientists and local faith leaders who had previously met to help shape the scope of the workshop. This group, in collaboration with the IGB Outreach team, included Becky Fuller (GNDP), a professor in the department of evolution, ecology, and behavior at Illinois; John MacLean, a senior lecturer in the department of English; Todd Daly, an associate professor of theology and ethics at the Urbana Theological Society; Susan Barreto, a Steering Committee Member of the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology; Amy Felty, a member of the Baháʼí Faith; and Tim Bossenbroek, Pastor of Hessel Park Church.

Kicking off the workshop, Urban, an evolutionary developmental biologist, explained the differences in the use of the term ‘theory’ in everyday life and its definition in the scientific community. The word theory is often casually used to describe a proposed—and sometimes hypothetical—explanation, which scientists instead define as a hypothesis. In contrast, a scientific theory is proven through rigorous experimentation by many scientists and is widely accepted as a correct principle of explanation. 

After over a century of research since its proposal, the theory of evolution in particular is highly supported by multiple lines of evidence found in the anatomy, developmental stages, DNA, and fossil records of different species.

Urban concluded his presentation with a quote from Charles Darwin’s foundational book on evolution “On the Origin of Species.” Published in 1859, Darwin’s closing words stated, “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.”

In the conversation that followed, workshop participants examined how the word ‘breathed’ was borrowed from the book of Genesis. This discussion of Darwin’s use of language to find a common ground between science and religion emphasized the importance of these open dialogues both historically and today.

“One valuable insight I gained in listening to participants discuss this topic is the way scientific language choices have sometimes aided acceptance of evolution, and at other times inhibited it,” said IGB Assistant Director of Outreach Claudia Lutz. “While these historical misunderstandings feel daunting, it is helpful to recognize that faith and science communities are not separate, but overlapping, with individuals who exemplify different ways of bridging the two.” 

While the session then went on to cover numerous topics, workshop feedback indicated that attendees especially enjoyed learning about discoveries of transitional species fossils, the evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance, and the concept that evolution occurs over generations rather than within individual lifetimes.

The IGB outreach is planning future Genomics for Faith workshops, and members of all faith communities are welcome to attend the free sessions. If anyone has feedback regarding previous sessions or suggestions for future topics, please contact Lutz.