Why do people use the theory of evolution as reason for atheism?

Question

If you read Charles Darwin's biography it is stated that he cleary believed in a higher power. So why if the man that came up with the theory of evolution believed in a higher power would people use his theory to support a beleif in no god? I would think that this would support an agnostic belief more than an atheist belief. I am a Christian myself but I would like to know how people think and I beleive that it is our responsibility to educate ourselves ( in a respectful manner- please ) on each others differences.

Please note that I do believe in aspects of evolution and I am a Christian. I realize that not all atheists use evolution as the sole basis of their belief or rather non belief. I would never make that kind of blanket statement. But It's just that I have heard that argument before as the sole basis and didn't quite understand the logic. Thank you to those who are answering in an intelligent and respectful manner. There are intelligent and ignorant people in all beliefs and sects of life. This question was not meant in any way ,shape, or form meant to offend or judge anyone or their views. Just an honest curiosity.

Answer 1

It just demonstrates how nonsensical the bible is.

Answer 2

First, it is not true that Darwin believed in a higher power, at least as he became older. That is the reason he took so long in publishing. He was very aware of what the reaction of the religious establishment would be. It was social suicide, but he published because others were already noticing the same things and were going to beat him to the publishing.

Second, most Christian denominations have no problem with evolution. Only a few fringe American groups seem to have the problem. The biggest issue, beginning with Darwin, but with all science, is that science works independent of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Shinto etc and contradicts their teachings. Religion is generally unable to change its teachings to fit reality. Doctrine is doctrine after all. That is its beauty and its curse. Science changes to fit the evidence.

There is no belief in no god, there is only a belief in a god. If one holds their is no God it isn't from belief, but from the absence of belief. Science provides a fairly complete explaination of the world at this point. Religion is covering smaller and smaller areas.

Answer 3

It's really only Christians (and just a few at that, but then do tend to be the louder ones) who see the theory of evolution as a reason for atheism.

If you read answers on this subject from atheists, you'll see that it's not a reason for our atheism. Evolution is an amazing process and trying to better understand how it works it fascinating.

Whatever we think, or not, about 'God' is independent of that.

Answer 4

The thing about science for me is, that I don't go by the first guy to come up with something. I am not using the first light bulb ever invented to light my house; many exciting advances in electricity have been made since then. The same holds true for Evolution. Darwin was an observant guy who lived in a time dominated by religious dogma, there have been astronomical advances in the field of biology since his time.
I am not an Atheist, and I believe in the very obvious evolution, so although they are not mutually exclusive, they are not the same.

Answer 5

Evolution is not by itself an argument against the existence of God. One can be a believer and find evolution convincing.

It is part of a whole Atheistic cosmology the purpose of which is to provide a fully satisfying description of the universe we live in.
Evolution explains how life got to be the way it is without being designed. That's why it is frequently thought to be an atheistic idea.

Answer 6

There is no direct connection between atheism and evolution. There are people believing in god and accepting evolution at the same time. And most atheists will not use the theory of evolution as reason for atheism. There are many other good reasons for atheism.

Answer 7

In the name of Allah the most Gracious the Most Merciful
Brother as a Muslim i would like to give you the Islamic point
of View on this subject.Regarding when you talk about evolution, you start thinking about Darwin’s theory. And Darwin went on his ship - at ‘H.M.H. Bugle’ to an island by the name of ‘calatropis’ and he saw birds pecking at niches. Based on that observation that the beaks of the birds became long and short, he propounded the natural selection. But he wrote a letter to his friend Thomas Thompton, in 19th century - He said that… ‘I do not have proof to propound my natural selection but because it helped me in classification of embryology, of rudimentary organs, I put forth this.’ Darwin’s theory is not a fact at all - It is only a theory.… As far as the Quran is concerned ‘Qur’an can go against theories’, because theories take U-turns - But Qur’an will not go against any established fact. And in our school we are taught about Darwin’s theory, as though it is a fact .its not a fact. There is no scientific proof at all – ‘there are missing links.’ Therefore if someone has to insult his friend, his colleague, he will say… ‘If you were present at Darwin’s time, Darwin’s theory would have been proved right – insinuating, he looks like an ape. There are missing links with Darwin’s theory. Andwe know about the four fossils that are present - the Hominoids - the Lucy. Orthalopetians, with its guide, the Homoeructus, Naindertolman, and Cromageron
This is what the Quran says about evolution, Chapter no.49
verse 13.
… ‘O human kind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female, and have divided you into nations and tribes, so that you shall recognize each other, not that you shall despise each other, and the most honoured in the sight of Allah (swt) is the person who has Taqwa – and Allah is all knowing, full of knowledge, and well acquainted with all things.
Thus the muslim believes that we are created from our first
parents Adam and Eve [ pesce be on them ] though there is
no scientific proof available today as times go by it will be
proved to be true InshaAllah.We arrive at this conclusion
because every scientific revelation in the Holy Quran has been proved to be 100% compatable with science Hence
these ambigious sections like Hell, heaven, Evolution , day
of Judgement ect should also be true.
’

Answer 8

First of all atheism is just a lack of belief in gods, not being a belief itself, it doesn't require a reason. Instead, it requires a reason to have a belief in gods. If you don't have a reason for your belief why have one.

Evolution disproves both versions of biblical genesis. Also it demonstrates how selection processes increase complexity in biological systems.

Once you understand how selection processes result in local complexity you begin to realize that hypothesizing a prior greater complexity is not necessary. Nor can a prior greater complexity explain the origin of complexity, that should be obvious.

Answer 9

First, contrary to what you imply, Darwin died an atheist.

Second, the world's largest Christian denomination (Catholicism), which runs many thousands of schools and colleges, has no problem whatsoever with evolution.

My point? Anti-evolution is NOT the prevailing Christian view. It is the property of (mostly) U.S.-based "evangelicals" - and an embarrassment to the rest of the U.S. Christian society.

Answer 10

I know that my husband (who is an atheist) is very well read when it comes to theologians, scholars of religious/science/any theory and I know he doesn't base his atheism on Evolution. That's a little too simplistic. He has many other reasons why he is an atheist.

Answer 11

I don't.The reason that I am an atheist is because there is not one single shred of evidence that a god or gods exist.
There is however clear evidence of evolution.Something that a great deal of people with religious belief choose to deny.