Re: Darwin's influence on Stalin

James, did you mean to write "...the reading of Darwin that moved Stalin to
atheism"? Well, if it be true, so what? Is Darwin responsible for what
others do with his ideas? Is anyone? It seems to me that in the AIG
statement below there are implied insinuations, like Darwin is responsible
for Stalin's psychopathic personality and murderous reign. Evolution really
is "Darwin's dangerous idea," as Daniel Dennett wrote.

One statement below puzzles me: On reading Darwin, Stalin "developed a
critical mind." Does that mean that the AIG people think we should not
develop a critical mind? Isn't developing a critical mind is one of the
goals of education? I tell my students how important it is to learn to
think critically. But perhaps critical thinking might be threatening to the
folks at AIG.

I recall a few years ago that YECs were passing around the story that the
serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer claimed that evolution led him to commit his
crimes--a jailhouse confession, I guess. Other crazy people blame God.

Sorry to go off like this, but I really am offended by this kind of
rhetorical abuse.

Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Mahaffy" <mahaffy@mtcnet.net>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 7:35 PM
Subject: Darwin's influence on Stalin

> Folks,
>
> Can a historian that knows help me with this one. Was it the reading of
> Darwin that moved Darwin to atheism. Nancy Pearcy in her new book
> suggests that and Answers in Genesis below also suggests it.
>
> However sometimes simple stories are more complicated. Just wondered if
> these writers are right.
>
>
>
> "But early in his life Stalin experienced a dramatic change of career.
> While studying at the Tiflis Theological Seminary, he began to read the
> works of Charles Darwin. He developed a critical mind and revolutionary
> bent. One of his friends later said in a book-which was published in
> Moscow while Stalin was still in power-that when Stalin began to read
> Darwin he became an atheist."
> --
> James and Florence Mahaffy 712 722-0381 (Home)
> 227 S. Main St. 712 722-6279 (Office)
> Sioux Center, IA 51250
>
>
Received on Sun Jul 24 22:31:54 2005