Charles Darwin In 1859 When Charles Darwin Published

His Book The Origin Of Spec

Charles Darwin In 1859 when Charles Darwin published his book "The Origin of Species", it
caused

much controversy between the scientific and religious worlds. It caused many people to

question their belief in the teaching of the Bible. The strongly held belief that the Bible

was the literal truth clashed with the Darwin theory. Some people rejected and scorned

Darwin while others tried to reevaluate their beliefs. Darwin theorized that species

evolved from other species. The belief that God directly created man seemed unlikely

to mix with Darwin's theory.

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England February 12, 1809. He had his

preliminary schooling at Shrewsbury. He was then sent in 1825 to the University of

Edinburgh where he entered a distinguished program for medicine. He did not like

the program. From 1828 to 1831 he transferred to Cambridge to prepare for the

ministry. Sciences were not included in University studies so he had no training in that

area. Personal contacts with scientists gave him an informal science education. After

Cambridge he became a naturalist on a government sponsored map making trip. Darwin

collected data and specimens during this 5 year trip. It was during the trip that he also

developed the first ideas about species evolving. After the trip he married and moved to

Down, England where he lived the rest of his life. Darwin did research and corresponded

his home. He had gained respect in the field of Natural Science from his research made

during his 5 year trip. During that trip he gathered evidence that the species was

mutable. As a student he had accepted fundamentalist beliefs. As time passed he was

deeply impressed by Charles Lyell's theory that natural change occurred gradually in
species. From his studies Darwin developed his Natural Selection Theory, which he

announced in 1858. In 1859 his book "The Origin of the Species by Natural Selection",

was published. The book advanced the theory and caused controversy. He wrote

several other books during his lifetime but none was as significant as "Origin of the

Species". Darwin died after many years of chronic illness in his home in Down,

England on April 19, 1882.

 The theory of evolution is not contradicted by the Catholic Church today. The

Church does not look at the Bible as literal truth. The Church encourages the study of

science. In response to the controversy caused by Darwinism and questions about the

Bible Pope Leo the XII started a commission to apply new methods of archaeology

and linguistics to biblical study. This study which went on for many years now helps

the Church to understand and accept how evolution can be a scientific fact and God can

still have created man. The theory of evolution is scientific, although there is still debate

about the theory, a religious belief does not have to be the deciding factor for a Catholic.

The Church encourages Catholics to study and examine scientific possibilities without

fear of contradicting their faith.

As a Catholic and a student I can see the importance of Darwin's studies in my life.

Darwin's theory encouraged a great deal of biological research. This research was meant

to prove or disprove his theory. In the end much of the research furthered our

knowledge of biology. This theory explained that species well adapted to their particular

living space developed from an accumulation of adaptations. The science of Genetics

which is so important today was able to explain these adaptations. I also understand

that change had to occur in the way the church looked at creation for this growth in

knowledge to be accepted. God did not have to be rejected because of a change in

our thought about creation. I understand that God can lead us to intellectual growth

that will help us. We must remember where the knowledge comes from and look for

His guidance.

Charles Darwin's curiosity and research about the world around him helped him to

develop his theory