Darwin's Death-bed Conversion?

Question

I've often seen on this site the claim that Darwin had some sort of "death bed conversion" at the end of his life. This is variously formulated by those who put it forward,
- that he became a Christian (a strange thing to happen as in his younger days he had actually studied to be a priest, I've yet to see any evidence that he STOPPED being a Christian)
- that he recanted Evolution or
- he realised it was "just" a theory (a bit like saying the Gettisburg Address was "just" a speech!)

Does anyone know what actually happened and, more importantly, is able to give any references to substantiate the claim?

Answer 1

The Lady Hope story is just that, a story. From the details, it is likely she did visit the Darwin household, but there are also important factual errors.

He did become an agnostic, by his own admission. His granddaughter restored the relevant passages in the 1958 edition of his autobiography.

Answer 2

Conversions are oftentimes happening even after loss of life. Why speculate approximately Darwin's conversion while there became none? we survive an evolutionary planet of insurrection. authentic, Christianity has replace into basic for its concern techniques. even inspite of the shown fact that, there's a extra helpful thank you to have faith. If a non-believer fears on his deathbed, it somewhat is barely his judgment of right and incorrect speaking. Why carry all of it all the way down to sturdy vs. undesirable? after all, that's barely for argument's sake.

Answer 3

within a few months of Darwins death He invited a woman called Lady Hope into his household. at the time his daughter was not at home and he was sick but not on his death bed. there is written letters that he invited her over a few times with a group of people. he might have said something among this crowd and just kept it underlip.

Darwin himself once wrote that he could not understand how anyone could even wish that Christianity were true, noting that the doctrine of damnation was itself damnable. Huxley expressed his hostility toward religion often and clearly, writing in 1859: "My screed was meant as a protest against Theology & Parsondom...both of which are in my mind the natural & irreconcilable enemies of Science. Few see it but I believe we are on the Eve of a new Reformation and if I have a wish to live 30 years, it is to see the foot of Science on the necks of her Enemies." According to Oxford historian J. R. Lucas, Huxley was "remarkably resistant to the idea that there were clergymen who accepted evolution, even when actually faced with them." Quite simply, there could be no compromises with faith.

Answer 4

This is listed as one of the arguments creationists should NOT use in "answers in genesis":

“Darwin recanted on his deathbed.”
Many people use this story; however, it is almost certainly not true, and there is no corroboration from those who were closest to him—even from Darwin’s wife Emma, who never liked evolutionary ideas. Also, even if it were true, so what? If Ken Ham renounced the Bible, would that disprove it? See Did Darwin recant? and Did Darwin Renounce Evolution on His Deathbed? - http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp

Answer 5

Let us be very clear. The story is false. Exactly who embroidered the tale is unclear. It may not have been Lady Hope. See the conclusion of a *creationist* site below.

What can one do, when this appears again and again? Do people not realise that such evidence of gullibility and uncritical thinking undermines the credibility of any other points they might make?

Answer 6

This is just another lie told by creationists. Darwin NEVER recanted on his death bed.
In fact, the older he became, the more convinced he was correct about evolution.
Lady Hope hadn't even spoken to Darwin for the two years prior to his death. How could she know what happened on his death bed?
She was just another creationist liar, like all the others.

Answer 7

I don't know about "recanting", but he did claim that his works on Evolution were taken out of context and although he did believe in Evolution, he did not believe in the "man from monkey" theory.

Answer 8

He DID recant his story

It can be googled, yahooed or any other search engine to read for yourself.....

One problem now though, though these search engines you can find just as many answers saying it is true that you can find saying it isn't true....and all looking like official study sites.

You'll just to weigh the one you put the most trust in....

Answer 9

he did NOT recant anything. I will see if I can find the link, but read the interview that was done with his daughter. She was actually with him on his deathbed and he did not "recant his work saying it was a lie and accept Jesus"....like the creationist propaganda BS artists say.

Answer 10

If you open to the introduction of Origin of Species, at least in my copy, the woman who started those rumors was no where near Darwin when he passed. Funny, I can't imagine a religious person lying to try and further their own agenda, can you?