- NEW!
by Symbeline on October 20th, 2008
Though religion is a major factor for his theories, his already shaky faith was completely denounced when his daughter passed away.
by Littlebirrd on March 5th, 2008
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin's_views_on_religion
Charles Darwin's views on religion have been the subject of much interest. His work was pivotal in the development of evolution theory.
Charles Darwin had a non-conformist background, but attended a Church of England school. He studied Anglican theology with the aim of becoming a clergyman, before joining the Voyage of the Beagle. On return, he developed his theory of natural selection in full awareness that it conflicted with the teleological argument. Darwin deliberated about the Christian meaning of mortality and came to think that the religious instinct had evolved with society. With the death of his daughter Annie, Darwin lost all faith in a beneficent God and saw Christianity as futile. He continued to give support to the local church and help with parish work, but on Sundays would go for a walk while his family attended church. However, at the time of writing On the Origin of Species he remained a theist, convinced of the existence of God as a First Cause.[1]
by RC loves ice cream on March 7th, 2009
Although he was a Christian in his youth and part of his adulthood, he became atheist eventually.
by Iz Kitteh on March 5th, 2008
Okay, so there bes one cheezeburger in a room, and 2 hungry cats. One cat kills the other and gets cheezeburger. Dead cat wasn't 'fit' enough. 'Fit' cat now has cheesburger and takes catnap, and gets cheezeburger belly, thus becoming unfit.
Does Jeebus come in to equasion? No. Understand? Kthx.
by Mikelbf2000 on October 16th, 2009
I think he was agnostic. I'm not sure though. Only he knew what his stance theology was.
by Zarathustra on March 7th, 2009
He was self-admittedly and agnostic, which was within the pages of his autobiography and never intended for publication.
Before his research in the Galapagos, he wanted to be a clergyman.
by Ruby Doomsday on February 14th, 2009
He claimed to be agnostic. I guess only he TRULY knows, but I have no reason to doubt that was the case.
by nagol the scot on February 8th, 2009
he was actually rased chatholic but began to question the religuis beliefs behind the origins of species abourd HMS Beagle, darwin pemaned a believer in god for all of his life, just not that god created everything perfect and nothing ever changed
by prof. mes solzhenitsy on March 5th, 2008
Could be he otherwise after denying the creation in Torah?
by HoboJoe on August 23rd, 2011
Yes. I didn't see a church at the Galapagos Island.
by CatyGeeky on August 23rd, 2011
Oh please, no more of that grossly invented tale that Darwin converted in his deathbed, please!
by Grasshopper on February 14th, 2009
I wouldn't think he was an atheist due to the question in his motive. He obviously had question in religious terms, or he wouldn't have come to such a conclusion with such accuracy. Ever read the bible? Some of the stories you read within it seem unbelievable, but things evolve!!!
by om-nom on October 16th, 2009
yes... he wasn't born one though
by Ricochet94 on June 12th, 2010
No, he was not. He once recieved a letter asking if he believed in God. He responded that a man "can be an ardent Theist and an evolutionist. And that he had "never been an Atheist in the sense of denying the existence of a God".
He didn't believe in any sort of religion, nor the Bible, nor any revelation. And though he thought of religion as a tribal survival strategy, he still believed that God was the ultimate lawgiver.
Did Charles Darwin say evolution was only a theory?
by Answerbag Staff on May 12th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What if Jesus showed up at your door and started singing the trololololololo song?
by Have A Nice Day on October 12th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Who published\"On the Origin of Species\"in 1859?
by Answerbag Staff on January 13th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What was\"on the origin of species\"in 1859?
by Answerbag Staff on January 12th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
How would you feel if the Queen of England showed up at your door with a couple of sailors and ordered you to lend them your spare room
by Have A Nice Day on October 28th, 2011
| 5 people like this
You're reading Was Darwin an atheist?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
It's strange. Some people have stronger faith when they lose someone like that. Others completely denounce it.
by Mikelbf2000 on October 16th, 2009
Darwin was very intelligent. Hmmmm.
by Scumop on June 12th, 2010
Intelligence does not equate accuracy.
by dk5 on December 6th, 2010