These are two possible answers to the most important question man has asked himself since language had evolved to the stage of asking “Why ….”
The most obvious choice for early man was that he was created by some more powerful and intelligent being than himself – a “god”. A substantial proportion of mankind still believes this to be true, and this belief is enshrined in its culture, traditions and laws.
Darwin’s idea that life on earth developed into the many species which we see today by a process of evolution, was called “dangerous” because it made the concept of a creator god superfluous. His “scientific” theory was thought to be a direct attack on religion and the religious establishment.
My presentation will look first at the scope of a scientific theory, and discuss the difference between belief, knowledge and faith. I will then look at how Darwin’s ideas have stood the test of time.