Editor notes
By Daniel J. Lehmann
Survey offers peek at divide
Church at best when all heard A
recent poll by the respected Pew Research Center brings into focus a lingering issue that confronts the ELCA and other mainline
Protestant denominations: interpretation of the creation story and evolution.
Six in 10 Americans say “humans and other living things have evolved over
time.” A third of the adult population rejects the idea of evolution. The divide is widest among white mainline Protestants. Some 76 percent agree
with human evolution over time, while only 15 percent said humans existed in present form since the beginning of time. The only religious groups giving a majority nod toward creation were white evangelical Protestants (64 percent) and African-American Protestants (50 percent). But white mainline Protestants were evenly divided on the process of human
evolution. Thirty-six percent agree that a supreme being guides evolution while an equal percentage agree that evolution occurs due to natural processes. Among all Americans who support evolution, 24 percent cited God or a supreme being guiding it while 32 percent called evolution a natural process. Another major division arises from political affiliation. In 2009, the report
said, 54 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Democrats said humans evolved over time. Today, 43 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of Demo- crats say humans have evolved. (See the full report, “Public’s Views on Human Evolution,” at
www.pewresearch.org.) Anecdotal evidence in letters to The
We practice journalism,
Lutheran confirms the size of the split. Last July the magazine’s cover story on “Environmental urgency” (page 20) drew a large majority from those thanking The Lutheran for the story and asking us to give even more attention to the sub- ject. A clear minority objected, many out of concern over the veracity of the sci- ence involved and a few contending it is all in God’s—not humans’—hands. How we approach issues like these as a church made up of divergent views will
trying (at times imperfectly) to serve as a mirror for what is going on in our church.
likely determine our future. Are we indeed a “big tent” denomination, with room for all, or a body of like-minded believers where the minority considers itself marginalized and hangs on, or eventually opts out? Take a look at this month’s “Letters” (page 48). From the magazine’s rede-
signed flag/logo/masthead and use of the term mainline Protestant to the article “Jesus the savior” and a “Light side” cartoon, readers found something to sup- port/object to. Even an advertisement for a portal music box drew a rebuke. This is where The Lutheran continues to play a vital role in the ELCA. We
practice journalism, trying (at times imperfectly) to serve as a mirror for what is going on in our church. We offer a venue where one can vent, and maybe learn a little more about and develop respect for our fellow members.
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Editor Daniel J. Lehmann
lutheran.editor@thelutheran.org
Section editors Julie B. Sevig Congregations & Community
julie.sevig@
thelutheran.org Elizabeth Hunter Church & World
elizabeth.hunter@
thelutheran.org
Manager, editorial production Andrea Pohlmann Kulik
andrea.pohlmann@thelutheran.org
Manager, editorial art Michael D. Watson michael .
watson@thelutheran.org
Director, circulation/marketing Curtis Peterson
curtis.peterson@
thelutheran.org
Contributing editor Jeff Favre
jjfavre@gmail.com
Study guide editor Robert C. Blezard
rcblezard@hotmail.com
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The Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our diversity. The magazine: • Nurtures awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives and the world. • Shares stories of God’s people living their faith. • Connects us with the global Christian community. • Provides an open forum for discussion. • Challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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