50 Reasons To Be An Atheist

[Dobie-BOY]

...did he really?


There is a story that Charles Darwin (1809-1882), English naturalist and developer of the theories of evolution through natural and sexual selection, recanted his life's work and agnosticism and accepted Christianity on his deathbed. It has been circulating through evangelical publications and broadcasts for many years. The story originated with Lady Hope (a.k.a. Elizabeth Reid Cotton, widow of Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Hope), an evangelist in Darwin's neighborhood of Downe, England. She said in a 1915 speech to a Moody evangelical school in East Northfield, Ma., that on his deathbed Darwin had been reading the Epistle to the Hebrews. Supposedly, he wished for singing and worship at his home, regretted that his evolutionary "speculations" were taken so seriously and had caused such evil, and that he accepted the Christian scheme of "salvation." The story was printed in the Boston Watchman Examiner and has been in circulation ever since.

The evidence shows that the story is not true. Lady Hope was not present at the deathbed of Darwin. The multiple independent accounts of his death, written by those who were there, make no mention of it. His children who were there at his death wrote articles and letters that specifically refuted the recantation and conversion story. Lady Hope did show such detailed knowledge of Darwin's home and estate that she must have visited Darwin at some time late in his life, though not at his deathbed. Darwin himself was disturbed with the misuses "Social Darwinism" made of his theories. He thought that Christianity was good for common people, though not for himself and other educated men. Darwin was revising his theories in the latter part of his life, to take new information into account, though he did not doubt that evolution had occurred, only how it had happened. Lady Hope probably heard all of this in a visit to Darwin late in his life, and conflated it imaginatively into a deathbed recantation!

SourcesThe Lady Hope Story: A Widespread Falsehood
Did Darwin Recant? - From Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization based in Cincinnati.
Clark, Ronald W. The Survival of Charles Darwin. New York: Avon, 1984, 214-217, 525
Desmond, A., et al. Darwin: the Life of a Tormented Evolutionist (New York: Warner Books/Norton, 1991), pp. 485-663
Tom McIver, "Ancient Tales and Space-Age Myths of Creationist Evangelism." Skeptical Inquirer 10 (3) 266-276"
Moore, James The Darwin Legend (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1994), pp. 11-168
The Lady Hope Story (http://www.ediacara.org/hope.html)

rather this is true or not does not change the fact that it IS junk science. Read "the case for a creator" by Lee Strobel. Lee is a lawyer who set out to prove to his parents there was NO God. When he was done with his research he realized there must be a Creator. The book blew my mind and pissed me off that I had been fed such a bunch of shart throughout school. The book has nothing to do with any particular religion. Just evidence of a creator.

[scaramouche]

rather this is true or not does not change the fact that it IS junk science. Read "the case for a creator" by Lee Strobel. Lee is a lawyer who set out to prove to his parents there was NO God. When he was done with his research he realized there must be a Creator. The book blew my mind and pissed me off that I had been fed such a bunch of shart throughout school. The book has nothing to do with any particular religion. Just evidence of a creator.

i havnt read that book and im not going to, just like u havnt read the works of darwin, i can quote and quote and u can counter quote and counter quote the fact of the matter is some choose to believe because they want to believe and others choose to disbelieve because they want to disbelieve, the definitive answer to the creator question wont be aswered on a steroid forum such as this and the opinions of u and i wont be taken into account, so go ahead and trash every scientific journal as junk science it wont make any difference but if it helps you confirm your belief then u should do it some more... really its ok

[Dobie-BOY]

i havnt read that book and im not going to, just like u havnt read the works of darwin, i can quote and quote and u can counter quote and counter quote the fact of the matter is some choose to believe because they want to believe and others choose to disbelieve because they want to disbelieve, the definitive answer to the creator question wont be aswered on a steroid forum such as this and the opinions of u and i wont be taken into account, so go ahead and trash every scientific journal as junk science it wont make any difference but if it helps you confirm your belief then u should do it some more... really its ok

I wonder why some people get so emotional when they argue that their is no God. I used to be like that. Im glad Im not any more.

[Kärnfysikern]

rather this is true or not does not change the fact that it IS junk science. Read "the case for a creator" by Lee Strobel. Lee is a lawyer who set out to prove to his parents there was NO God. When he was done with his research he realized there must be a Creator. The book blew my mind and pissed me off that I had been fed such a bunch of shart throughout school. The book has nothing to do with any particular religion. Just evidence of a creator.

One question, if evolution isnt a solid theory. How come 99.999% of all biologist that acctualy do develop and use the theory think its correct.

[rodgerj]

One question, if evolution isnt a solid theory. How come 99.999% of all biologist that acctualy do develop and use the theory think its correct.

**** is that Van D in that pic? wtf is he doing? and wtf is he wearing?

[Kale]

**** is that Van D in that pic? wtf is he doing? and wtf is he wearing?

It looks like William Shattner to me

[rodgerj]

It looks like William Shattner to me

Yes that is Shattener in the other pic. Looks like he might of made that face when he saw Van D dancing like he is trying to wiggle something from out of his asshole.

[Kärnfysikern]

**** is that Van D in that pic? wtf is he doing? and wtf is he wearing?

Its him allright From some old movie I have never seen. Seems like he is dancing a bit in a snazzy outfit.

[Dobie-BOY]

One question, if evolution isnt a solid theory. How come 99.999% of all biologist that acctualy do develop and use the theory think its correct.

Probably because thats all they study. They, like many, do not want to admit they were wrong. They wont accept any arguement against what they have stated. MANY scientists ARE christians.

[Kärnfysikern]

Probably because thats all they study. They, like many, do not want to admit they were wrong. They wont accept any arguement against what they have stated. MANY scientists ARE christians.

So it has nothing to do with the countless evidence that validates evolutionary theory?
29+ Evidences for Macroevolution

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-misconceptions.html
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-fact.html
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-...o-biology.html

You can not seriously belive that all scientists researching evolution since darwins time have been to stubborn or stupid to admit evolution is wrong? That is exactly like saying special relativity is wrong but physicists just doesnt want to admit it, while offcourse ignoring all evidence that show relativity is correct.

BTW I dont se how it matters that many scientists are christians, most christians have nothing against evolution.