Muslim Theory of Evolution
Tufail
In "Natural History (May 1986)" p.18, Stephen J Gould states
that Prof John William Draper (1812-1883) of University of New York
presented a paper in the British Association of Advancement of Science
meeting in June 1960, six months after Darwin published The Origin of
Species. According to Gould, the first discussion on the Origin of
Species took place during the discussion of Draper's paper. Gould says
also in his article that it was during the discussion of Draper's paper
Bishop Wilberforce of Oxford asked Thomas Huxley whether it was "though
his grandfather or grandmother that he claimed his descent from monkey."
The reference from Pro.Gould shows that Prof Draper is a contemporary
of Darwin and Draper's paper was the cause for the first discussion of
Origin of Species in British Association of Advancement of Sciece.
Draper statres in his book, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE:
(Christian)"(t)heological authorities were therefore
constrained to look with disfavor on any attempt to
carry back the origin of the earth to an epoch indefinitely
remote, and on the MUHAMMADAN THEORY OF EVOLUTION (emphasis
added) from lower forms, of his gradual development
to the present condition in the long lapse of time."
(Page 187-188).
Draper further states:
"Sometrimes, not without surprise, we meet with ideas which
we flatter ourselve have originated in our own times. THUS
OUR DOCTRINE OF EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT WERE TAUGHT IN
THEIR (Muslim) SCHOOLS (emphasis added). In fact they
(Muslims) carried them much farther than we are didposed
to do, extending them even to inotganic or organic things."
(page 118).
So, based on the statement from contemporary of Darwin, theory of
evolution was first started with Muslims and they even taught the
theory in their schools. Alas! In our own time age Christian
fundamentalist now wants to stop teaching evolution in US public
schools. Muslims are suffering now because irrational among them took
over the education system. If we in US has any lesson to learn, please
do not let the extremists among us influence the science education in
our schools. We need to teach theory of evolution in science classes in
our schools.
Tufail