why do people still believe in evolution when Darwin said on his deathbed that it wasn't true?

Answer 1

First, he did not say that, in the way that you interpret. However, that is not the point.
It does not matter now what Darwin said. He presented a theory that explains how living things got to have the form they possess today without having to resort to a supernatural explanation. The theory has been tested and there is overwhelming evidence for it. The vast majority of scientists accept it. Whether a specific individual person says it is true or not is not relevant, even if the person is Darwin.
Imagine if I unearthed a letter from Isaac Newton that he wrote the day he died saying, "I've rethought things, and I now think gravity doesn't exist." Would you say "Why do people still think gravity exists when Newton said on his deathbed that it didn't?"
(Of course you wouldn't. So try to make the same weak point about what Darwin (supposedly) said.)

Answer 2

Evidence is that he didn't. Rumor started by a Lady Hope. Darwin's actual relatives who were there not only denied that he said that but never saw Lady Hope visiting.

In any case, it doesn't matter. People say lots of things on their death beds. His theory of natural selection came about through years of study and consideration. This cannot be thrown out because of words spoken in the final moments of pain and desparation. The fact of evolution shown by the fossil record and the evidence for natural selection continue to convince, no matter what Darwin later said. If we who are convinced are to be shown otherwise it must be through facts and evidence, not words of authority.

Answer 3

Darwin never denied evolution. That rumour may have been started by a relative, so that he could have a church burial.
Darwin spent much of his life gathering evidence, then the rest of his life defending it.
If he wanted to "recant", he would have done so well before his death. In any case, he has been proven correct, by any branch of science you care to name, from chemistry, dentistry, biology, medical science, DNA analysis and carbon dating. The theory was inevitable, and would have been developed without Darwin. Darwin just presented it so completely and logically.

Answer 4

In science, unlike in religion, an idea stands or falls on its own merits- that is, how well it can answer the questions and how well it explains and predicts the facts.

In religion and in politics, we sometimes rely on human authority, either that of the prophets or wise man or politician. But in science we can ask questions directly of nature itself. No matter who said what or why, Einstein or Darwin or hawking, no matter- either nature and discovered facts will bear them out or not.

Also, note that a good scientist will cease to believe an idea that is shown false by nature, no matter how appealing that idea might be. It is a two edged sword.

So, in the end it isn't Darwin who is important. He is only honored because his idea turned out to answer so many questions. But make no mistake, it is the idea, not that man that said it.

Answer 5

Whether on not Evolution is true, your question contains a plain lie. Darwin said no such thing on his deathbed.

Answer 6

not all people believe in God plus the fact that for everything that has the value of interest questions of who, what, when,where,how and why man of science believes that there is an exact answer and reason.. considering that there are a lot of flaws in Darwin's theory it is accompanied whit facts and a great deal of observation and studies. that's why his theory of evolution is studied and oftentimes discuss on class.

The thing is when we talk about somethings often enough be it fact or theory we tend to categorize this as truth

Answer 7

lol That's a lie spread by fundamentalist's. Why would someone give there whole life to a subject and then at there death go actually I was kidding? People believe in evolution because it is a theory supported by facts. People believe in god because it's in a book written by men thousands of years ago. The same people called the heliocentric model a lie. I bet you know nothing of the theory of evolution except of what your preacher has told you. But I was a christian and have heard every single argument posed by your side. And in that I found evolution was the only realistic and true explantion.

Answer 8

I don't believe he said that, that's why.
But it sure is great thing to say he said, in a time where he was 'controversal' to say the least, don't you agree??

Evolution is always happening, just look at the constant changes within the environment over just that past 2000 years. or even 20 years! There a plenty of scientific recordings that simply cannot be argued with. I am not talking about apes and man, but animals evolving from land to sea, etc.

Christianity... well, everyone has their own beliefs and I'm sure you can see, based on your own beliefs, that this is one war that cannot be won!! Everyone stubbornly holds on to their own beliefs, defending them.
All I say is this: Would there be so much fighting if religion wasn't involved?.. Hmmm... Everyone seems to believe only their religion is the right one... Every religion produces 'facts' to support itself, well.... If everyone at least respected everyone's right to choose, life would be more peaceful. But that's only my opinion! :)

Evolution is, at least, the only theory that undoubtably is taking place. That's not to say that I agree man comes from apes, but it is taking place.

Answer 9

That must mean all his research and documentation was worthless if he said, "it wasn't true." Even if he did renounce his findings, facts are facts. If the structure of DNA shows how humans evolved from fish, then no amount of arguing will change that! Besides, evolution was the greatest work of God. Who else could have designed such an amazing and beautiful creation? God is the master of design, and evolution was his tool.

Answer 10

People still believe in evolution because for starters, no one knows whether Darwin really said that or not, and also because there is too much scientific "evidence" that it has occurred. It is even taught in schools as truth, so students believe that it is true also. I, for one, do not believe in human evolution, however.