Why did Charles Darwin used to pray everyday and learned theology for 3 years before his journey in Beagle?

Question

He got the idea of evolution during the journey in Beagle. Why did he turn an atheist later in his life?

Answer 1

for the answersingenesis mob who refuse to look further than their nose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_darwin#Religious_views

Answer 2

Because he saw that at least part of what the bible said was untrue. However more than that I think it was the emotional pain he felt from losing his wife and then his daughter.

Its all irrelevent really, scientists don't accept arguments from authority. If Darwin had recanted on his death bed (he didn't) it wouldnt have made the slightest bit of difference.

Newton could have said he was wrong but apples wouldn't have started floating off in to space.

Answer 3

He learned from his mistakes. He saw the facts and drew his conclusions from them instead of trying to make the facts fit his religious ideas.

Seriously it would be more shocking if there was evidence that historical figures were atheists or agnostic given the culture they lived in. Its like when they found Martin Luther's Bible and it had anti-semitic statements in it. A german monk from the 16th Century was an anti-semite? what are the odds?

Answer 4

actually he said that he considered himself agnostic. but yes the evidence contrary to a literal interpretation of Genesis definately convinced him not to believe.

Answer 5

after the loss of his family he blamed God for it. the same way as many people today do. he couldnt believe that something so tragic could happen, so he would have rather believed that no God existed, rather than believe in one that would take the lives of his family. His reasoning was spite. and that cost him his life, and the lives of many people ever since.

Answer 6

He was taught materialism from his Grandfather. I was not aware that he ever prayed a day in his life.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i1/darwinism.asp