2. The Impact of Darwinism on Religion

Abstract

The tremendous impact of evolution upon Western religious thought resulted in large part from the sweeping implications of the theory itself, which challenged the basic tenets of traditional dogma. It is difficult to understand the nature and intensity of the controversy that developed, however, if it is not understood that the challenge was given additional weight by the ascendency of science in the nineteenth century. In considering the influence of Darwin\u27s findings on religion, as on other areas of thought, it should be kept in mind that the theory of evolution was presented to a world that was observing a period of scientific achievement far surpassing anything witnessed during any earlier epoch in history. [excerpt