It's kind of weird you put darwin on your money, have a state religion, odd.
2007-09-07 07:08:34 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
they were hoping a fiver would evolve into a tenner
2007-09-07 07:14:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
He's on the back of the £10 note which I think is the second most used note (see http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/current/current_10.htm)
It's not really that big of a deal, he's one of our greatest and most respected scientists so why not honour him in that way. He was even honoured with a burial in Westminster Abbey because of his contribution to science.The whole state religion is irrelevant. It's only a nominal position, there is no compulsion associated with, the Church of England recieves no government funding and so the UK is de facto a secular state, far more than the US I would say. There is only one congressman or senator that has publicly himself to be an atheist or agnostic but there plenty of atheist or agnostic MPs. Even the religious MPs will very rarely talk about God in the way US politicians do and issues such as pro-life v pro-choice are not seen as major political topics. Most people aren't really fussed about religion and I suppose the whole Church of England thing is one of those British traditions that has developed that we can't be bothered to reform or abolish.
The whole evolution/creation debate doesn't really occur here. many just look at the situation in America with amusement and possibly pity and horror. Honestly most Britons think the whole religious right thing in the US is weird, particularly as you are the one of the most advanced country in the world and nominally a non-religious state.
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Edit DryHeat, that's not completely true although some parts have develop through convention much of the constitution is written down. They are just spread across many many acts of Parliament and not codified in a single document. The constitutional laws relating to the establishment of the C of E where written down and passed in the the 16th century Acts of Supremacy and further additions over the years.
2007-09-07 14:36:05 · answer #2 · answered by Tim W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is true. Amongst other British Innovators. Everytime we issue a new set of notes, a few great British Innovators are on them.
Charles Darwin is currently on the back(notice I say back, because the Queen is on the front) of 10 pound notes.
Elizabeth Fry on 5 pound notes.
I cannot remember who is on the back of 50's and 20's off the top of my head.
We also have an image of the Monarch. Queen Elizabeth the 2nd on all of our currency.
What does the Bank of England have to do with God?
And another scary quick fact. The Queen of England Knighted an Agnostic that taught many people about Evolution. His name is David Attenborough.
In Britian, England especially we often celebrate those who "broke the mold" at the time.
2007-09-07 14:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by Link strikes back 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is true, and it's not odd at all. Darwin is not a religious figure, and most religions accept evolution as simple scientific fact that doesn't interfere with their beliefs. Only ignorant fundies have a problem with it.
Frankly, Darwin has done far more to advance our knowledge than any politicians I know...
2007-09-07 14:15:10 · answer #4 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they put Darwin on some of the money and let the money that did well with him on it stay in circulation.
2007-09-07 14:12:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Darwin was not a prophet, he was a scientist - and a Christian.
just because US fundies have a problem with Darwin doesn't mean sane people do, especially in Darwin's home country.
2007-09-07 14:18:47 · answer #6 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The UK has no written constitution. There is no official position on religion.
However, in the USA, the first amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion", and yet, in 1956, it was legislated that currency would carry the words "in god we trust". As someone with a non-theistic faith, I DO see a conflict in that.
2007-09-07 14:18:04 · answer #7 · answered by dryheatdave 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
um
most xians accept evolution
besides which the origin of man is an important book in the history of science
2007-09-07 15:13:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why is it any weirder than putting some president on your money or any other person who you want to honor or acknowledge? Wtf does a state religion have to do with it?
2007-09-07 14:12:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just as stupid as putting "god" on money, even though material goods are "sin".
YET the Atheists are supposed to accept it
2007-09-07 14:12:24 · answer #10 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋