The 'battle' between science and religion over evolution in nineteenth century New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History at Massey University
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Date
1985
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Massey University
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Abstract
This thesis describes and analyses the New Zealand response to
the Darwinian theory of evolution in the second half of the nineteenth
century. Traditional accounts, using a distorted version of the
Huxley-Wilberforce debate as their model, have been triumphalist,
positivistic, and militaristic. The bloody 'battle' between science
and religion, according to these received views, resulted in the
overwhelming victory of science, truth, and progress over religion,
ignorance, and superstition. This model is inapplicable in the New
Zealand context. Generations of reconciling Genesis with geology had
prepared the Christian mind well for coming to terms with scientific
discoveries, and adjusting interpretations of Scripture accordingly.
After an initial period of caution and deliberation, churchmen within
the major denominations came to terms with biological evolution as
readily as they had earlier accepted the findings of geology and
palaeontology. By the 1880's evolution became acceptable to most
educated Christians. Scientists too, quickly accepted biological
evolution but remained religious believers, and in many cases devout,
practising Christians. The irreligious view of nature was reinforced
rather than destroyed by Darwin. The handful of freethinkers who
proclaimed that Science had supplanted Christianity also belie the
positivist model, for evolution became for them a surrogate religious
faith. Science did effectively become secularized by the beginning of
the twentieth century, but this was the work of devout scientists who
wanted to prevent religious controversy from constantly holding back
the progress of biology. The 'battle' between science and religion
over evolution culminating in the final and decisive triumph of
science was a myth.
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Charles Darwin, Theory of evolution, Evolution and christianity, Science and religion