Controversy
Feb 12, 2009
Today is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. One-third of the western world is grateful for his contribution to science; another third thinks he got it wrong, and the final third don't know what the rest of us are talking about.
What I find most interesting, though, is that his theory is yet another story that explains where everything comes from. Each species has adapted to its environment in response to stresses in nature, resulting in the wide variety of life on our planet. Plausible enough.
Ancient Zulus thought the Ancient One came from the reeds and from them brought forth the people and the cattle.
Ancient Finns believed that the world was formed from an egg that was broken.
Ancient Egyptians couldn't decide. Either Atum arose from the primordial waters; Ra arose, either in an egg or a blue lotus; or Ptah spake the world into existence.
Ancient Cherokee believed all the animals lived in the sky and a water beetle created the land.
Ancient Hebrews, as well as modern Jews and Christians, believe Yahweh spoke everything into existence from nothing.
With all those kinds of stories, Darwin's little theory isn't nearly so unimaginable.
Source: Wikipedia
