Do all atheists and evolutionists agree with these statements made by Darwin?

Question

Charles Darwin wrote in his book “Descent of Man“, “The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shewn by man's attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman- whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands.”
“…the average of mental power in man must be above that of woman.”
He also proposes that certain races, namely native Africans and native Australians, are not as “evolved” as the rest of mankind.

Personally, I disagree.

Just as I expected. Backpaddling and unsubstantiated claims regarding molecular biology. If you want to waste your time looking for proof, fine, but stop claiming there is proof when there is none.

By the way, did you know that in his later years Darwin discarded his theory, because he realized he was completely wrong. He said, "I made some allusion to the strong opinions expressed by many on the history of the Creation and then their treatment of the earlier chapters of the book of Genesis. I was a young man with uninformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time about everything. To my astonishment the ideas took like wild-fire. People made a religion of them." [Myers, "Voices", 249]

I agree, Matt, that women are not as strong as men physically, but I disagree with Darwin's statements. And you are correct. God does not consider gender when judging sin.

DNA research actually disproves evolution. Please, people, don't take my word for it. Read, study, and find out for yourself. There are those who think they can post anything as an answer and everyone will take them at their word. The problem is that many people do. I have ask repeatedly for everyone to do their own research.

Memo?? very clever ploy.

Answer 1

U know what? evolution is a theory not a proven fact. so how can one base so many of their belifs on a theory??

i disagree with statements made by Darwin COMPLETLY. He said the feathers of the peackok make him feel sick!

Answer 2

No, you have to understand that Darwin is not the "prophet" of atheism or "evolutionism", he was just the first person who wrote down the main ideas of the theory of evolution in a book, i.e. the idea that there is evolution and that it's based on natural selection. Since then thousands of other scientists have worked on the theory of evolution, added much more to it and even proved Darwin wrong in some aspects. His writings are only of historic interest now, they are not what biologists study now to learn the truth about evolution.

His misogynist and racist ideas were just his own ideas, there is no scientific support for them. In contrast, scientists could show, for example, that the genetic differences between human races are much smaller than it was assumed before we could make genetic analysis. No serious scientist now proclaims any ideas of inferior and superior races or anything of that type. But it was very common at the time of Darwin and several decades afterwards when racism was very prevalent and women were also still severely discriminated against. I had some lectures about anthropology during my studies of biology and they told us a bit about the severe racism of early anthroplogists, when some even claimed that what they called "primitive races" would not belong to the same species as whites - but they made clear that all that is refuted and was a very regrettable aberration of people who could not seperate scientific facts from their personal ideas that were influenced by social conditions of their time. Keep in mind that even before the theory of evolution came up, racism and the discrimination against women were widely practised and accepted. Colonialism and American slavery were older than the theory of evolution and were practised and praised by Christians who literally believed in the Bible.

Oh, and I tutor a native African girl in the microbiologic lab where I work, she's working on her Master thesis and is quite a good student :-)

Answer 3

NO! I don't think so. He is probably making those statements because
white man always had more opportunity for education then the others mentioned. His perception in that respect seems flawed.
Another thing is that the the Africans and native Aussies (during Darwin's time) didn't have the advantage of good balanced nutrition and that could understandably effect the brain.
These are my uneducated opinions
Good question!

Answer 4

In all fairness the Bible describes women as weaker, though not necessarily mentally.

But the good thing about the Bible is it doesnt devalue women as some claim while the father of evolution may have. Women have been allowed to rule Israel, take men into battle, be prophets, be disciples of Jesus, and the first people that saw Jesus resurrected were women! Throughout the old and new testament, God was equally upset when women sinned.

Answer 5

Atheists and evolutionists aren't necessarily the same thing. There are a lot of educated Christians that understand what evolution is and what it isn't, and believe that God made us by using evolution as the tool to get us to this point.

As to Darwin being sexist, so what? Look at the times he lived in - it was common. Just because he was wrong about that doesn't mean he was wrong about ALL of what he said.

And in case you didn't get the memo, an understanding of how DNA works makes evolution a "slam dunk". Evolution is quite real, despite people's disbelief in it. I don't believe Bush got elected to a second term, so it must not be true. Too bad it doesn't work that simply for both of us.

Answer 6

Darwin was a product of his times, and that is what society generally believed 150 years ago.

However, the theory of evolution has been substantiated by any doubt from the forensic evidence of molecular genetics.

Surely you are not advocating "throwing the baby out with the dirty bathwater?"

Answer 7

Please remember that no one worships evolution. I know Christians find this a hard concept to understand, but by not believing in gods, we aren't worshiping ANYTHING.

We no more worship Darwin by accepting his theory than you worship Edison by turning on the light in the evening. The guy had a good idea. That doesn't mean everything he said was correct. And these few points were obviously not correct, but followed the thinking of the times.

Answer 8

It's difficult really but even geniuses who change the world have their faults.They are so groundbreaking one moment and so totally like the majority of people around them at the same time. History is flooded with Great Men AND Women. Darwin screwed up on this part we should forgive him for his frailties and concentrate on the parts he got right.(atheist)

Answer 9

Darwin was human and made mistakes like anyone. His initial theory of evolution, and even today's revision of it, are no doubt imperfect. But because of the scientific method, the theory is becoming more complete over time, despite the human imperfections of the individual scientists working on it.

Answer 10

atheist dont claim anyone as a messiah of sorts.

sometimes people say things as victims of their era because they dont know any better.
but i know it controversial, but i probably think there is something in the last statement, though it is not about evolving, there are distinct differences between some cultures, i think this is undeniable, there is a big issue regarding aust. aboriginal society at the moment, we cant address the problem without acknowledging the culural casim
but thats not to say one is above the other

Answer 11

Even theories evolve. Those were the personal opinions of one scientist. And yes, they were popular at the time.

Compare that to the misogynist or homophobic opinions of Paul. People can simply ignore any misogyny in Darwin but not St Paul.