Darwin marred

Andrew Marr's TV programme on 'Darwin's dangerous idea' was a travesty. He jumped very quickly to German Imperialism and Hitler, as if modern ideological warfare were based on the misunderstanding of Darwin. In fact racism, slavery and colonial invasion had already been increasing for centuries. The British suppression of the Indian Uprising, which had been provoked by the attempt to convert Indians to Christianity, and the shameful massacre of the civilian population of Delhi happened the year before Darwin published The Origin of Species.

In fact Darwinism is only dangerous to the belief that humans are separate from and superior to all other forms of life. Hindus, Buddhists and Jains have no problems in accepting that we evolved from animals, and nor did educated Muslims until they were infected with American-style creationism.

Actually I think creationism should be seen as anti-religious. The idea that the forms of living things are fixed for all time is contrary to the belief that God alone does not change. In the words of the hymn: 'Change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not, abide with me.'