Been doing a lot of reading on Darwin recently. Fascinating dood. Witty, intelligent and at times charming in his 19th century naiveté. Though I should point out that he could be devastatingly direct and painfully insightful
Some Quotes from Darwin on religion:
Letter to Asa Gray September 17, 1861
Your question what would convince me of Design is a poser. If I saw an angel come down to teach us good, and I was convinced from others seeing him that I was not mad, I should believe in design.
Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1958) p.87
Thus disbelief crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last complete. The rate was so slow that I felt no distress, and have never since doubted even for a second that my conclusion was correct. I can indeed hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true; for if so the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe, and this would include my Father, Brother and almost all of my friends, will be everlasting punished.
And this is a damnable doctrine.
From his earliest writings to the end of his life religion played a role in shaping how he presented his theories and how they were received. Early on Darwin made a conscious decision to 'Stick to the Facts' in presenting his notes and theories. To avoid colouring his work (in particular the reception of it) with any religious interpretation, positive or negative. The above quotes were from personal letters and notes, but not from the scientific papers he published.
This later went on to become a large part of the modern approach to scientific research. Not only is it politic and somewhat sensitive and respectful of others beliefs, it also makes for better science. Clear, unambiguous documentation of experiments. Theories based only on repeatable, demonstrable evidence from those experiments. This is the foundation of trust and verification that enables science to work. Everybody can read the documentation and repeat each step if they have doubts. There is no need for a 'Leap of Faith'.
I doubt Darwin envisioned the scientific future he created with that simple political decision. I also find it sadly ironic that he and his work, more than a century after his death, is at the centre of the debate(battle) between religion and science. A conflict he consciously tried to keep from being a part of.
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2 comments:
I saw a documentary on television a few weeks ago about how Darwin became a Christian before his death, repented, and is now buried in an English Church cemetery. I thought that was interesting considering how his theories to the contrary have exploded in our society, even to this day.
There is some controversy about Darwin's choice of Religion, but it should be NOTED that Darwin never stated he was Christian and in fact clearly wrote that he did not accept the Christian
Faith.
The source of the controversy then? Apparently a story was circulated that he repented on his deathbed and accepted Christ. That story was spread by one "Lady Hope" in the months following his death. There has been examination of her account, and NOTHING has been brought up to collaborate her story. At the time it appeared the story was generally regarded as false. It's only decades later, after everybody involved is well and truly dead, that the story started to be taken seriously, and only by those looking to attack or somehow discredit Darwin's work and theories.
People are gonna choose to believe what they believe. The Creationist movement has been pushing this recantation of Darwin almost since the day he died. A lot of mud in the water to obscure the truth.
I would look at the agenda and background of anyone claiming that Darwin suddenly converted on his deathbed. The reality is that Darwin was very clear in his writing and personal correspondence about not accepting the Christian Religion or the Bible as written.
In the end it doesn't matter what Darwin personally believed. His work is supported by a vast body of evidence and capable of standing on it's own. No miracles or leaps of faith required.
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