Charles Darwin
From Liberapedia
Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was the 19th century Scientist who proposed the Theory of Evolution. He was grandson to the major 18th Century thinker Erasmus Darwin. Charles Darwin started life as a Christian and studied Divinity at Cambridge University, although he had a passion for natural history which later brought him to see that religion simply isn’t needed to explain life.
Contents |
The Voyage of the Beagle
The event which changed the course of Darwin’s life happened when he joined the Voyage of the Beagle to study the natural history of the places the ship visited. During the voyage Darwin read, Lyell's Principles of Geology which gave good evidence that the Earth is millions of years old rather than a recent creation. Darwin’s own observations confirmed this. What Darwin saw did not seem consistent with a purposeful benevolent creator. When the beagle studied the Galapagos Islands Darwin noted that the finches, mockingbirds and tortoises varied from island to island. Later he came to see that these animals had evolved differently on different islands.
Developing the Theory of Evolution
Darwin read Malthus and developed the theory of Natual selection. Plants and animals that are well adapted to their environment survive and reproduce better. The features that helped them survive are passed on to future generations. Slowly a whole species changes. And nobody needs God.
Religion
Raised a Cristian Darwin gradually lost his faith, some people like to portray Darwin as anti religion or anti christian, although it is true that he stopped attending church in later life, he did remain active within it helping the church raise funds for christian charity. Darwin's biggest issue with his beliefs were the effect it might have on his was who was very religious.
Christian Conservatives
Christian conservatives still get exercised about Darwin because he raised the possibility that the existence of God isn't required to explain the multitude of species that exist on Earth today. The thought that man descended from a common ancestor to the apes drives them nuts. So they come up with very odd theories such as the belief that every animal in existence today descended from animals on board Noah's Ark. Yup, they believe in fairy tales.
Darwin traveled around the world on a ship called "The Beagle", and observed phenomena that led to his formation of the Theory of Evolution. Conservatives go to church and believe that this is proof that there is a God who created the Earth and all life on it in 6 days!
Face on Money?
Charles Darwin's face is printed on the back of the year 2000 issues of £10 notes of the Bank of England..
