Darwin and religious thought
Darwin's work has had a tremendous impact on religious thought. Many people-including some Christians, Muslims, and Orthodox Jews-do not accept the theory of evolution because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. For example, the Biblical account of the Creation states that God created all living things, including human beings, within a short period of time. A literal reading of this account contradicts the idea that organisms evolved over millions of years. The Bible also states that human beings were created in the image of God and thus were elevated above all other forms of life. Some people find it difficult to reconcile this view with the idea that human beings evolved through natural processes.
Many other people, however, accept the basic principles of evolution within the framework of their religious beliefs. For example, some people interpret the story of the Creation as a symbolic and not a literal account of the origin of life. They find this symbolic interpretation compatible with the discoveries of evolutionary biology. For many people, the idea that human beings evolved from other forms of life does not diminish the uniqueness of human capabilities and the accomplishments of human civilization.
Excerpt adapted from the
"Charles Darwin" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999