Why do people think Darwin recanted his evolution statements on his deathbed?

Question

Only a small amount of research shows this is untrue.

Answer 1

He didn't.

The story of Darwin's recanting is not true. Shortly after Darwin's death, Lady Hope told a gathering that she had visited Darwin on his deathbed and that he had expressed regret over evolution and had accepted Christ. However, Darwin's daughter Henrietta, who was with him during his last days, said Lady Hope never visited during any of Darwin's illnesses, that Darwin probably never saw her at any time, and that he never recanted any of his scientific views (Clark 1984, 199; Yates 1994).

atheist

Answer 2

I believe this is propaganda put out by some people who want to discredit evolution. Not everyone who repeats it is being intentionally dishonest, they heard it and it fit with their views and they repeat it. Its silly anyway since even if such a thing were true it wouldn't mean evolution were false. Evolutionary theory has come a long way since Darwin, most of what we know in biology is understood within the framework of evolutionary theory. On the other hand a deathbed recant could have just been fear or the desire to please his religious wife who was troubled by his theory.

Answer 3

It was Darwin's sister who said that in an attempt to keep her family's honor. It isn't true however. Darwins sister was in a different country at the time Darwin died. But you know how the Christians just love to keep spreading that untrue urban legend.

Answer 4

It lies somewhere between wishful thinking and total dishonesty. Even the best account, the Sister Hope story is too flawed to be believable. Even if he had recanted, Alfred Russell Wallace, a Christian, did no such thing, and too many years of follow-up research confirms the model he laid out.

Answer 5

A sad, sad state of events. The religious are so intent on repackaging history that obvious and blatant Atheists like Darwin are made to be altered after they die. Maybe you need a "living will" to allow a legal firm to sue for you after your death if anyone says you were religious after all.

The story is summarized here:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/d/darwin.htm

Answer 6

people who believe that probably do so for the same reason that they believe most things: they'd prefer that it was true.

the really odd thing is this story could be completely true and would still not affect the acceptance of evolution among scientists, because that depends on physical, empirical, evidence and not infallible revelation by a prophet.

Answer 7

All christian attempts to belittle science, misquote or misrepresent the truth are always clearly exposed, and one wonders if they are able to consider how this looks to the rest of the world..
Claims that Einstein was religious is another one. He wasn't..!
Claims of fossilised human footprints alongside dinosaur footprints are another. There is no such thing..!

The list is long, the deciet is obvious, and the ignorance is truly remarkable.. These people are a threat to peace on Earth, and they empower ignorance, bigotry, denial, arrogance, conflict and bloodshed.. Bad people..!

Answer 8

Because it sounds authoritative and final, and seemingly justifies their denial. They believe that if =Darwin himself= recanted his theory, well, then, it must be wrong.

Answer 9

Because they'd like to believe that every Atheist really knows God exists and won't admit it till they die. It's ignorant--like saying Jesus really admitted on his deathbed that he wasn't the son of God, but just another human being. It's a rude thing to say about Darwin.

Answer 10

For him it was probably that big honking angel of death standing over him! For others, it's that to Darwin, these were only theories, and as a scientist remained theories. He probably felt like most scientists do, if they didn't come up with proof in their life time, it wasn't a fact. Thus, the only alternative was creationism must still be the only logical solution.