When introduced in 1859 in The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution generated much controversy, and it continues to generate controversy even today. The main reason for ongoing debate, however, is the misconception that Darwin’s theory eliminates God from the equation.
Who Was Charles Darwin?
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-82) was the grandson of Erasmus Darwin, an English scientist, physician, and poet, whose long poem Zoonomia (1794-96) reportedly anticipates evolutionary theories.
Charles studied medicine and ministry before becoming the official naturalist for the Beagle, and his explorations, observations, and investigations as a naturalist led to his formulating his theory of evolution, which became know as Darwinism. (Columbia Viking, 1988)
Was Charles Darwin an Atheist?
Darwin was raised Unitarian and entered Cambridge University intent upon becoming an ordained clergyman in the Church of England. Moreover, at Cambridge, where he interacted with “men whose theological views were indistinguishable from those of modern-day American fundamentalists,” Darwin reportedly was “so in captivity to the word of Scripture that he was able to quote the Bible as a moral authority.” (Gilgoff, 2009)
Granted, years later, following the tragic death of his young daughter, Darwin reportedly became “a reluctant agnostic;” but there is no evidence that he was ever an atheist. (Fiero, 2006)
Did Charles Darwin Deny Creationism?
Darwin never denied creationism. He did, however, insist, “It is just a noble conception of the Deity to believe that He created a few original forms capable of self-development into other and needful forms, as to believe that He required a fresh act of creation to supply the voids caused by the actions of his laws." (Fiero, 2006)
So, in brief, Darwin was saying that he was not removing God from the equation, but presenting a different scenario, one that allowed for natural selection.
Did Charles Darwin Argue That Humans Evolved from Apes?
Playing a paramount role in the debate surrounding the theory of evolution is the belief that Darwin contended that humankind evolved from apes, but that was never Darwin’s argument.
What he did contend, though, was that the most likely ancestor for man was “a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably arboreal in its habits,” based upon the argument that the "differences between humans and less complex orders of life are differences of degree, not kind." (Fiero, 2006)
The Basic Tenet of the Theory of Evolution
Observing the tendency of some organisms to remain basically stable while others changed, adapted, and increased geometrically, Darwin concluded that there were variations within species and that species with the most favorable variations, some of which were transmitted to their offspring, were most likely to survive – a process he termed “natural selection,” and which Hebert Spencer later called “survival of the fittest.” (Columbia Viking, 1988)
Plants, Animals, and Organic Evolution
Granted, animals and plants are different species, but they are both organic life forms; and organisms are classified according to their similarities, not their differences. For example, look at the similarities between members of the feline family, although one may be a lion, another a tiger, another a lynx, and yet another an ordinary housecat.
Additionally, felines are similar to other mammals in that all mammals, including humans, suckle their young. (Copeland, 2003)
Scientific Evidence for the Evolution of Humans
Evolution is a slow but gradual process, and it usually takes centuries for noticeable change to occur in a species. Then again, because of better nutrition and advancements in healthcare, in just the last 100 years, humans have gotten taller and heavier. In fact, before 1900 the average height for a man was 5 feet, 10 inches, but today, most men are at least six-feet tall while many far exceed that height. (Copeland, 2003)
Granted, there are still some short men today, but there are far more tall men than ever before in history. Plus, the average shoe size (for males and females) is larger today. Even the shape of the human face is changing. As evidence, one can note how many people today have square jaws compared to previous generations. Is this change the result of improved diet, better dental care, or both? Whatever the cause, this change provides evidence that humans are still evolving and continuing to adapt to their environment.
When one considers Darwin’s basic argument, which is that species transmit their most favorable traits to offspring in order to ensure survival of the species, some believe that it becomes apparent that Darwin was not denying creationism but, instead, saying that all species, including humankind, either adapt to their environments, growing stronger in the process, or else they fail to adapt and, as a result, grow increasingly weaker until they eventually become extinct.
Sources:
Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia (1988) New York: Viking Press.
Copeland, L., ed. Biology for Beginners. (2003) New York: Doubleday.
Fiero, G. (2006) The Humanistic Tradition: Book 5. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Gilgoff, D. (February 13, 2009) Charles Darwin, Christian; USNews.com.
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
