How I came to believe (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, October 11, 2015, 15:08 (3330 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: In one breath you criticize Darwin for not dealing with the problem of the origin of life,-I did not criticize Darwin about the origin of life. Look back at what I have said.-> dhw: and in the next you say that there is no misrepresentation when an author writes that Darwin's theory of evolution purports to explain the origin of life.-And I disagree with your interpretation. -> dhw: Yes indeed, both theists and atheists misrepresent Darwin's theory for their purposes, and I remain mystified and slightly shocked that you continue to condone such distortions.- Yes, everyone uses and abuses Darwin.I don't condone what you interpret as distortions. I understand their opinion in a different light. Darwin stands for chance, not purpose, and you can't deny that. 
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> DAVID: Did Darwin ever say exactly what his firm beliefs were in his letters, which I have not reviewed?
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> He did not have firm beliefs. He fluctuated. That is because like the rest of us agnostics he saw both sides. Here is a helpful website:
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> 	Darwin's views of religion: his agnosticism and...
> www.victorianweb.org/science/darwin/religion2.htmlCached
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> QUOTE: In "Religion," the eighth chapter of The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, his son Francis claims that “in his published works he was reticent on the matter of religion .... he admitted, "I cannot pretend to throw the least light on such abstruse problems. The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic.”-Thank you. No wonder you defend him so strongly. He is in fellowship with you regarding religion, but I am sure you do not follow his views of races in Descent of Man.