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Charles Darwin originally trained in theology, but it appears that his religious beliefs evolved over the course of his lifetime.
In Origin of Species, published in 1859, Charles Darwin identified himself as a believer in Christianity. However, by the time he had written his Autobiography, Darwin had become a professed agnostic, possibly even an atheist.
In his autobiography: "Whilst on board the Beagle I was quite orthodox, and I remember being heartily laughed at by several of the officers (though themselves orthodox) for quoting The Bible as an unanswerable authority on some point of morality.""... Another source of conviction in the existance [sic] of God ... follows from the extreme difficulty or rather impossibility of conceiving this immense and wonderful universe, including man with his capability of looking far backwards and far into futurity, as the result of blind chance or necessity. When thus reflecting I feel compelled to look at a first cause having an intelligent mind in some degree analogous to that of man; and I deserve to be called a theist. This conclusion was strong in my mind about the time, as far I can remember, when I wrote the Origin of species; and it is since that time that it has very gradually with many fluctuations become weaker."
Evidence of Darwin's diminishing belief in Christianity: "Formerly I was led by feelings such as those just referred to, (although I do not think that the religious sentiment was ever strongly developed in me), to the firm conviction of the existence of God, and of the immortality of the soul.""I gradually came to disbelieve in Christianity as a divine revelation."
"But I was very unwilling to give up my belief ... Thus disbelief crept over me at very slow rate, but was at last complete."
"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic."
Darwin also displayed a strong respect for the "Hindoos", "Mahomadans" and "Buddists", showing himself to be a man of moral integrity.
Answer 2:
It is a common myth (one often disproved) that Darwin rescinded his belief in evolution just before his death.
Charles Darwin shifted from belief in Hebrew based Christian doctrine to Stoick Philosophia doctrine. His theory of Evolution is based on the application of the philosophia belief in dialectics and metaphysics.
Philosophia doctrine can be traced directly to Aristotle, where its supposed that he obtained the building blocks of the doctrine from the Oracle of Delphi.
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His own words:
"When thus reflecting I feel compelled to look to a First Cause having an intelligent mind in some degree analogous to that of man; and I deserve to be called a Theist." (On The Origin of Species, 1859)
"I have never been an Atheist in the sense of denying the existence of God". Thinks that "generally (and more and more as I grow older) … an Agnostic would be the most correct description of my state of mind" (Letter to Asa Gray, 1879)
Let me remind you that Darwin died in 1882, at the age of 73.
Although most creationists regard non-religiousness as a "trend", something that will end when age gathers; we can clearly see that Darwin, in contrary, seems to have lost a bit more faith as he grew old. This can be noted as a proof against any claim of being "senile".
...Returning to the question; as you can see a yes/no answer cannot be given. Darwin, as any other non-religious person, was always searching for a meaning to faith, and this adventure led to his religious views changing minorly over the years. Although it's clear to say, he wasn't religious by any means, in his adult years.
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Who was the naturalist responsible for the theory of evolution?
Both Charles Robert Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace are responsible for this theory that hangs all of biology together.
Who is the scientist that proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of Species in 1859, in which he outlined his theories of evolution. The theory of natural selection states that individual variation in a population allows some members a greater chance of survival than others.Darwin and Wallace, but Wallace didn't publish.
What scientist developed theories on evolution?
Alfred Russel Wallace independently came up with the theory of evolution. His and Darwin's papers on evolution were jointly presented in 1858, and so both are credited with the discovery of evolution by natural selection.
What is Charles Darwin main contribution to Sociology?
His famous book, "On the Origin of Species", detailing his observations of species adaptation (especially finches of the Galapagos Islands) culminated in his theory of evolution, which has had great impact, both sociologically and scientifically, to this day.
What is the name of the scientist that studied evolution?
An evolutionist.AnswerIt is NOT an evolutionist. An evolutionist is merely anyone who believes in evolution. The name for a scientist who studies evolution as it relates to human beings is an anthropologist and a scientist who studies the fossil record is a palaeontologist.ANSWERThey are known as evolutionary biologists.Strictly speaking, anthropology is split up into a number of disciplines - physical (sometimes known as biological) anthropology is the study of evolution as it relates to human beings. Further to this, scientists who study evolution in the fossil record are known as evolutionary palaeobiologists or simply palaeobiologists.
