By ANDREW A. LAMBERT
In the 1830s, Charles Darwin was traveling the globe, cumulating evidence for his theory of natural selection. Darwin has been called the most important figure in the history of biology, yet more than a century later, Darwin remains a misunderstood and controversial figure.
Scott Ritter, a professor in the BYU Geology Department, will address the contributions of Charles Darwin in a lecture tonight: 'Charles Darwin -- Latter-Day Savant or Devil's Disciple?'
Ritter said the purpose of the lecture is to help the BYU community understand the humanity of Charles Darwin. Ritter said he believes Darwin has become a cardboard, two-dimensional character that many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints misunderstand. Darwin has become a symbol more than a man, Ritter said.
Though Charles Darwin was a professed atheist, he was a good man, Ritter said. Father of 10 children and a faithful husband, Charles Darwin was intellectually honest and did mankind a great service, Ritter said.
Jonathon Baker, 26, a senior from Anchorage, Alaska, majoring in geological engineering, said he believes many BYU students were taught in seminary that evolution is of the devil. The lecture will help students understand that science and religion are compatible, Baker said.
Ritter, a bishop of a BYU ward, said he hopes the two sides are coming to a meeting point, reconciling fact and theory with doctrine and dogma.
'Both sides have to admit that they don't have all the answers,' Ritter said.
Ritter said one can believe in evolution and still be a good member of the LDS Church. Ritter also said he believes God has commanded members of the LDS church to learn as much as they can about many subjects, including the origin of the earth, he said.
Scott Keate, 24, a senior from Centerville majoring in marketing communications, said in the past, evolution has had very negative connotations for Latter-day Saints. However, through his study, Keate said he believes Darwin was sincerely trying to discover truth.
'I think the most important thing is to just accept truth whatever form it comes to you, whether scientific or spiritual,' Keate said.
Ritter is in his eighth year as a professor in the BYU Geology Department. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees in geology from BYU and his Ph.D. in micropaleontology from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Tonight's lecture, sponsored by the geology club, will be at 7 p.m. in 151 TNRB.