Darwin himself believed in creation?

Question

Darwin's theory of evolution is often used as an anti-religious weapon, especially by politicians who control public-school education. Learning evolution in school is often connected with denial of creation by God.

The following citation from Darwin's book (On The Origin of Species, 6th edition, p.429, the closing paragraph of the Conclusion) will probably come as a shock to those anti-religious political evolutionists:

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one..."

Darwin himself believed that life on earth was started by "the Creator", everything else is minor details. As it says in Genesis (ch.2, v.7): "...and He (God) breathed into him a breath of life."

When a teacher is required to teach the subject matter of Darwin's book, is the teacher also allowed to teach the closing paragraph of the same book?

Answer 1

Don't listen to bsxfn. It takes an idiot to know one! You have a valid point. I think it is hilarious that you found this quote. If I were a teacher I would jump at the chance to read it to my class. The theory of evolution is just that: a theory. It cannot be proven. Over and over again the fossil record fails to show Darwin's claim that organisms grew to become other organisms. It reveals creatures appearing in a spontaneous manner more in line with creation theories, which also cannot be proven. It is interesting though, that we hear scientists talk about how in nature things were designed this way or that, but refuse to acknowledge it's Designer

Answer 2

As you hit upon, Darwin was a deeply religious man. I'm sure he would have been dismayed to learn the things people say he said or say in his name. It took him about 14 year after writing "Origin" to publish it because he feared how the Catholic church would react. Darwin went on to write several more books, none of which refute the existance of a Divine Creator. Be careful though. Darwin was. He never discussed, in writing anyway, the creation scenario. He never talked about Genesis or its events. He simply said what you quoted, that the creator breathed life into a few forms or one. He never says God created a man and a woman, only that he created life. However, later Darwin, in other writings, said God created life allowing it to take the path he intended, definintely suggesting he believed that God directed evolution to make the beings we see now. Also he never said that man evolved from apes, just that we share a common ancestor.

As for your question of teaching the book, I see no problem in allowing students to hear of Darwin's religious beliefs or talking about that paragraph. It is only one paragraph of a book. Also, the theory of evolution, though proposed by Darwin has evolved itself with many other contributors along the way. Remember, the creation issue is only a very small part of what evolution is about. Evolution is not a religion, nor is it a viable way to prove or disprove the existance of any God. It should not be used as evidence either way. Darwin wanted people to revel in the work and world he believed his God set in motion. That was his religious belief, and he is entitled to it, as are all people. While I believe that students should read "Origin", I think there are many other papers to read as well. However, if you think that paragraph is enough to begin the teaching of a particular religious dogma, even if it is the one to which Darwin subscribed, I would disagree. If students would like to learn one church's particular creation story, the student should take a class in that particular religion or take a survery of religions class. Remember telling someone of a person's religious belief is one thing, but asking them to believe it too certainly does not provide religious freedom.

Answer 3

Go to http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=15263 . You will find many answers to what you can say and do in public schools, which happens to be more than you'd think. They handle circumstances related to religion and public school systems all the time. As a side note, keep this in mind: If your school is requiring you to teach Darwin (beliefs that are a religion in themselves) but wouldnt let you teach the closing paragraph (because of religion) you can bet you are operating in a biased educational system even though they claim to uphold 'separation of church and state'. If you can teach one theory, evolution (and it IS a theory) but have to leave part of it out, they are in essence allowing you to teach the part that fits into their religion (atheism) but censoring another religion (belief in God). You will find an effective way to handle this hypocrisy at the above mentioned Liberty Council website.

Answer 4

You're an idiot. Why don't you continue with the quote? Because it refutes the entirety of your point! Read the whole book and maybe you'd learn something! From Darwin's autobiography - " I cannot pretend to throw the least light on such abstruse problems. The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic.

A man who has no assured and ever present belief in the existence of a personal God or of future existence with retribution and reward, can have for his rule of life, as far as I can see, only to follow those impulses and instincts which are the strongest or which seem to him the best ones. A dog acts in this manner, but he does so blindly. A man, on the other hand, looks forwards and backwards, and compares his various feelings, desires and recollections. He then finds, in accordance with the verdict of all the wisest men that the highest satisfaction is derived from following certain impulses, namely the social instincts. If he acts for the good of others, he will recieve the approbation of his fellow men and gain the love of those with whom he lives; and this latter gain undoubtely is the highest pleasure on this earth. By degrees it will become intolerable to him to obey his sensuous passions rather than his higher impulses, which when rendered habitual may be almost called instincts. His reason may occasionally tell him to act in opposition to the opinion of others, whose approbiation he will then not recieve; but he will still have the solid satisfactionof knowing that he has followed his innermost guide or conscience. -- As for myself I believe that I have acted rightly in steadily following and devoting my life to science. I feel no remorse from having committed any great sin, but have often and often regretted that I have not done more direct good to my fellow creatures. My sole and poor excuse is much ill-health and my mental constitution, which makes it extremely difficult for me to turn from one subject or occupation to another. I can imagine with high satisfaction giving up my whole life to philantropy, but not a portion of it; though this would have been a far better line of conduct. "

Answer 5

that's in many cases reported that the story of advent is unbelieveable so others say that evolution is plenty extra possibly. even regardless of the indisputable fact that the style of issues that should have had to basically coincidently got here approximately to be certain that the evolutionary concept to have got here approximately is much extra intense and incredibly no longer likely. Evoluntion concept claims that all of us developed from monkeys how come some human beings did no longer evolve and stayed monkeys. in step with risk this explains some peoples unruly wild habit.