Evolution versus Design?

It looks as though we are in for a rerun of the Scopes Trial once again:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_Trial

which pits the religious claim that G-d created the universe against the evolutionary view that life as we know it evolved over the billions of years since a Big Bang resulted in a universe in which organisms evolved by processes of inclusion and exclusion based on adjustments to changing environmental conditions.

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A DEBATE OVER DARWIN
Politicized Scholars Put Evolution on the Defensive
By JODI WILGOREN
The Discovery Institute is the ideological and strategic
backbone behind the eruption of skirmishes over science in
school districts and state capitals across the country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/21/national/21evolve.html?th&emc=th

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As one trained in theology I would aver that there is nothing irrational about asserting a divinity as creator of the universe, much evidence to the contrary. However, then one must face up to the horrors of the evils that this universe contains, not all of which can be blamed upon human disobedience -- what is known as the problem of theodicy in theological circles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy

How can an omnipotent, benign G-d permit so much suffering and evil in his creation -- a trilemma in that at least one of three primary assertions must be modified, weakened, or denied!

1) God is all powerful.

2) God is all good.

3) Real evil exists.

Frankly, as a student of divinity, I could not get past this one with the conventional answers:

1) Book of Job -- "Who is this that darkens counsel?" i.e. only G-d knows.

2) Man brought it on himself with original sin -- Augustine.

3) Real evil does not exist -- is an illusion. Avoid doctors. The Christian Scientists.

4) The gods hate mankind or are indifferent at best -- the ancient Babylonians from whom we inherited the lex talionis -- "an eye for an eye. . . ."

5) Good and evil are locked in mortal combat (Zoroastrians -- Persian cult) which led to the notions of Satan and G-d in constant combat.

None of these or other variants made much sense to me and all looked dangerous to human welfare in pretty obvious ways that need not be spelled out here.
--
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to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy)
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