Danielle D'Souza Interview: Author's Book Tackles Creationism, Morality and Faith
'Simple and Short' Answers Help Youth Understand the Complicated Issues
Danielle D'Souza, daughter of author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, recently released a new book, "YGOD: An Intelligent Discussion on the Relevance of Faith," which offers a fresh perspective on the leading questions facing young Christians today.
D'Souza offers this work not as a definitive statement, but rather as a conversation starter for those juggling their existence and their faith. It is an open-ended book that tries to draw both the religious and the skeptical to a forum where constructive debate can take place.
Her book deals with the 32 most pressing questions facing young Christians today, such as the relationship between religion and science and the continued debate over evolution versus creationism in today's classrooms. She presents both viewpoints for a specific topic and is able to transform complex issues into simple anecdotes and stories that are laid out in a conversational style.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Christian Post had the opportunity to interview D'Souza, who offered some of her insights into the leading questions young Christians face
The Christian Post: Why did you decide to write a book focused on these topics?
D'Souza: The book deals with some of the most important questions that young people have regarding Christianity. I addressed these questions because of my experience in school and church. I felt that these were the ones that young people have the biggest problems with and these are the questions that can put a block in between people and their faith. I felt they needed to be answered in a simple and short way that could give young people an answer to their questions.
CP: What has the response been?
D'Souza: It has been very positive; the fact that each chapter is very short, about five pages, and that there are short answers in the beginning of the chapter to the question, makes it very easy to see what the answer is. It is not a lengthy book that is difficult to understand and there are other sources that can be used to continue the conversation- the book is just a starting point.
CP: Why did you use the Big Bang as an example of God's work?
D'Souza: I think science goes along with religion and I think that the Big Bang is the biggest pointers in science to a God the created the Earth. I don't think that it is a problem. I think that the only way that you could get away from whether the Big Bang points to God is by creating other universes. I think that the sole argument pointing to creation still holds up.
CP: In public schools, where do you creationism finding a place in the discussion with evolution?
D'Souza: I don't think that people in school, for example, are used to hearing alternate explanations that go against evolution because evolution has been taken for granted. When you do have a discussion bringing in the different possibilities that other people might argue about, I think it starts a big debate and I think there are a lot of misconceptions about it with young people.
I think those topics in general can create a heated discussion because of strong views on the subject. But looking at it I found that evolution does go along with the Bible and I think that science and the way the God created humans and the world definitely go along with the Bible and science.
CP: Do think creationism should be taught in a science class?
D'Souza: I think that it is up to the school and the people to decide that. I don't think I can say that creationism can be left out of a science class. I don't see a problem in other people's beliefs being shared in school. I think religious people that go to school should be allowed to share what they think on the subject. I think that schools can present other possible explanations and what people believe and schools should be able to say that world was created this way or this way and then students can learn about the different perspectives.
I think that if you are going to present it in science class you have to know if it's been proven, rather than being believed by most scientists.
CP: Where does morality come from?
D'Souza: I do think morality is divinely inspired because we have a conscience. If you think about it there is no reason for us to have one, yet, we all know right and wrong.
A conscience actually holds us back if we are looking at a materialistic world. If you have a conscience it doesn't help you get ahead, it doesn't help you to be stronger than the guy next to you. It actually hurts you- we all have a conscience that we hear and respond to and I think that it is God's work and he put that in us.
Readers who wish to further the conversation can visit YGod.apologetics.com or Facebook.com/YGod. Readers can also follow D'Souza on Twitter @YGodDanielle.
