What was the reaction from a religious point of view of Darwin's theory of evolution?

Answer 1

Darwins work on his theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection had an impact on religion because it proved the creation story of the 3 main monotheistic religions false. It proved the creation story false because it showed that not all life had just been planted on Earth all at once by a creator, but that live began about 3.5 billion years ago and has been constantly evolving by means of Natural Selection to this day. The evidence is so overwhelming for evolution, that most followers of these religions now accept that their creation story was not factual.

Answer 2

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection did not entirely come as a surprise to Church leaders, as scientists had been adopting the view that life somehow evolved, for some decades before Darwin's publication of The Origin of Species. The captain of the Beagle enlisted the young Darwin on his voyage, in the hope that he would obtain geological evidence to refute the evolutionarly theories that were already beginning to shock Christian believers in Europe. Instead, Darwin added to scientific theory the understanding that evolution was driven by natural selection.

At first, some members of the Churches sought to ignore Darwin's new theory in the hope that it would not become common knowledge. A not untypical response, from the wife of the Bishop of Worcester, "Descended from the apes! My dear, let us hope that it is not true, but if it is, let us pray that it will not become generally known." At other times the Churches strongly criticised and condemned the theory.

The more recent reaction of the Churches is to accept Darwin's theory and seek to harmonise it with theology.
The Catholic Church has now reacted favourably to Darwin:

• Pope Pius XII stated in his encyclical Humani Generis(1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis; Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis; Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.
  

• The Episcopal Church has said that the theory of evolution does not conflict with Christian faith. In 2006, the General Convention affirmed, via Resolution A129, that God is creator and added that "the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith."

• The Church of England is considering the possibility of apologising posthumously to Darwin, for its earlier condemnation of his theory
  

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Answer 3

Some religious groups initially rejected Darwin's theory of evolution because it challenged traditional interpretations of creation found in religious texts. However, over time, many religious scholars and groups have found ways to reconcile evolution with their beliefs, leading to various interpretations where evolution is seen as a process guided by a higher power.