Darwin II

Charles Darwin--the final answer.

[1]

Darwin's theory of evolution tends to be a controversial one. I understand his argument about science and even agree with him if we're talking about that realm of 'modular' thinking. But I have yet to fully grasp how, through his "discoveries", he manages to establish a sound argument debunking religion(s), simply due to the fact he made scientific discoveries involving a valid theory of evolution.

It would seem I'm not a huge fan of Darwin. I admit to this, though I've heard many interesting lectures about him in every science class I've ever taken and he's referred to as the Godfather of science. From a scientific standpoint, I do believe his theories (because they make sense). But when I stop listening to the summarized version of Darwin and read for myself, I find many things with Darwin's theories questionable. And some say he was a theist when he wrote The Origin of Species, though his rhetorical demeanor doesn't indicate this.. In fact, he seems rather arrogant with his pen regarding his scientific findings. Though some might argue rightfully so.....

Of course, some of those characteristics came with the era. Yet because our lives are related to science, doesn't mean that couldn't be a sign of an 'intelligent' creator. Further, our lives are largely related to science, but exactly how this disproves creationism is another question altogether. It's one I'm prepared to say, "I don't know" about. But it would seem that if God exists, that he'd exist everywhere including science. If science exists and God made science, wouldn't God be within science as opposed to separate from science?

This scenario is baffling.

I've been many situations where someone assumes they know my beliefs, yet it's hard for me to know most of the time. Though mine beliefs lean towards God being everywhere--even in science. My assumption is that God doesn't exist in the same manner we popularly perceive God to exist. To me, God literally is, and is present within, everything we know as well as everything we do not know. In Tennyson's poem Memoriam, he writes as if he also thinks God's presence is everywhere, yet at the same time he acknowledges the possibility of an abstract, universal existence.

That God which ever lives and loves,
One God, one law, one element,
And one far off divine event,
To which whole creation lies. [2]

Tennyson seemed to buy into Darwin's theories or, at least, he didn't believe in a Christian God as a rule of thumb. This becomes apparent through his poetry. He writes about how God only worked for him when times were good. But when times were bad, and he needed someone most, God wasn't there for him. We can see this if we analyze only a few lines of his poem.

That God, which ever lives and loves,
One God, one law, one element
And one far-off divine event,
To which the whole creation moves. [3]

With Robert Browning's poem, he writes somewhat similarly. We find the poems seasoned with the them of cultural evolution. That is, how language has evolved, and as it has evolved, so have we as humans. Since we arise from walking on four limbs to two, we've evolved to the point that we now have technology instead of print- rap takes over poetry; certain cultures demolished from existence as this as taken place so have laws that, as time goes on, look rather silly in retrospect.

rise from law to law
The old to the new, promoted at one cry
O' the trump of God to the new service, not
To longer bear, but henceforth fight, be found [4 ]

Both poems ponder the existence and role of God, but they also question creationism and the popular beliefs through the thoughts expressed in their poetry. I actually like their method of thinking better than the black and white notions that cuts religion out of science. They don't seem to be set on pestering and ridiculing other's practices of faith and they also question the parameters and circumstances involved with the notion of God. This example serves that some of the writers at this time were objective. Browning and Townsend are at least open about their thoughts and the possibility of God's existance, though Tennyson seems already convinced God does not exist. But somewhere, deep in his poetry, lies his true feelings. I think he mentions God in a way that implies he isn't sure about God.

Fittingly, Darwin writes, "Authors of the highest eminence seem to be fully satisfied with the view that each species has been independently created. To my mind it accords better with what we know of the law impressed on matter ny the Creator," 5 . Posing an interesting proposition, Darwin wrote,

It is interesting to contemplate a tangled bank, clothed with many plants of many kinds, with birds singing on the bushes, with various insects flitting about, and with worms crawling through the damp earth, and to reflect that these elaborately constructed forms, so different from each other, and dependent upon each other in so complex a manner, have all been produced by laws acting around us. [6]

Darwin's differences of opinion at least entail diversity of thoughts. But it's still a subject that people get very touchy about. In 2008, these kinds of debates still go (for obvious reasons). Fortunately, I've never had a dog in the fight. So when these things occur, it is rather entertaining. That is, until someone gets their feelings hurt while disagreeing over such a complicated and controversial topic.


[7]

Religion and science are touchy issues. Tact is a virtue.

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1 http://www.charlesdarwinresearch.org/YOUNG_DARWIN.JPG
2 Tennyson
3 Tennyson
4 Browning
5 Darwin
6 Darwin
7 http://www.charlesdarwinresearch.org/YOUNG_DARWIN.JPG