Is there any evidence that Darwin died as Christian?
I saw this claim being brought up several times, but I never saw conclusive evidence for this claim. So my questions are - did Darwin convert to Christianity toward the end of his life, and if so did he die as a creationist? More importantly - why and how does that effect the theory of evolution and why we should believe in it?
Originally posted by Patient_LeechSome people really believe that Darwin's personal views are important compared to scientific facts. I created this topic so that they can tell us why we should trust Darwins personal views more than those facts. And I want to see basis for the xlaim that Charles died as christian.
Stupid topic.
👆 @the rest of your post, though.
Also:
Re: Is there any evidence that Darwin died as Christian?
Rumors of deathbed conversions are insanely popular in our cultural rumor mill, because it allows us to call into question revered figures in any tradition, thus bolstering our own worldview.
I hadn't heard the Darwin one, but I've heard about a dozen others, and Darwin's inclusion is hardly surprising.
The religious crowd isn't solely responsible for this phenomenon, granted. I've actually heard this about religious adherents too (Aquinas, for one). They're just as vacuous. So this isn't a skeptical slap on the wrist to religious people perpetuating these unsubstantiated claims; it's more a slap on the wrist to the practice in general.
In conclusion, this:
Originally posted by Ursumeles
I saw this claim being brought up several times, but I never saw conclusive evidence for this claim.
...provides all the answer you need.
Originally posted by Digi
And to perhaps address your question another way: F*** Darwin's personal views. His contribution to science is why he has a legacy, and those results are verifiable. Musings on his opinion at a specific point in his life are not.
But what if Darwin was resurrected the third day after his dead? biscuits
Originally posted by socool8520
Seems like a safe way to play it. lol Know it's crazy talk until the very end, and then convert real quick just in case you were wrong. Genius.
I realize this post is likely with tongue in cheek, but I've seen it used seriously. It seems disingenuous, and reveals more about the person saying it than any historical figure they're talking about, as though to them, faking belief or doing it "just in case" to make sure they get to heaven is a valid, moral goal. I'd like to think that if their God does exist, cheap tricks like this wouldn't work on a supposedly omniscient being, and that doesn't even dig into how flatly evil and self-serving it seems to me.
Most people realize this whether they admit it or not, though, which is further reason to ignore claims of deathbed conversion.
Originally posted by SamZED
I think it was either Dakwins or Harris who said that he'll request a recorder by his bed to prevent rumours of last minute revelations because it's getting really annoying.
Dawkins, I think. I've seen that crew discuss it a couple times, usually with a bemused tone. Dan Dennett once joked to Dawkins that if he ever fell on hard times, a "sudden conversion" could yield him a huge financial windfall from religious organizations. But whether or not they actually have the recorder, they're familiar with the deathbed nonsense that we allow to spread. I don't doubt we'll see such claims after they die; though, surprisingly, I don't remember any for Hitchens, so maybe that's a good sign (or maybe I just missed them).
Originally posted by Digi
I realize this post is likely with tongue in cheek, but I've seen it used seriously. It seems disingenuous, and reveals more about the person saying it than any historical figure they're talking about, as though to them, faking belief or doing it "just in case" to make sure they get to heaven is a valid, moral goal. I'd like to think that if their God does exist, cheap tricks like this wouldn't work on a supposedly omniscient being, and that doesn't even dig into how flatly evil and self-serving it seems to me.Most people realize this whether they admit it or not, though, which is further reason to ignore claims of deathbed conversion.
yeah, it was definitely in jest. I agree, you are a hypocrite and if the Judgement scenario were true, you should be seen as such.
Originally posted by Josh_Alexander
And everything rotates on the idea that Creation and Evolution fight each other! What a wrong concept of science.
Yeah, because these are compatible ideas:
1. All the diverse lifeforms appeared as they are in their present form within the last 10,000 years.
2. All the diverse lifeforms evolved from a common ancestor over billions of years.
Right?