New York: Charles Darwin’s handwritten letter in English confesses that he does not believe Bible as a divine revelation or Jesus Christ as the son of God. This letter has paid him $197,000 at an auction.
The letter was auctioned at Bonhams on September 21 was sold for more than twice its estimate $90,000. The subject of Darwin’s religious activity and dedication was the cause of vehement debate.
Darwin abstain himself largely from public comment, mainly to respect the feelings of his friends and family. Darwin’s letter was a revert to a young barrister named Francis McDermott, who wrote to Darwin on November 23,1880 with an unusual request.
“If I am to have pleasure in reading your books I must feel that at the end I shall not have lost my faith in the New Testament,” he wrote.
“My reason in writing to you therefore is to ask you to give me a Yes or No to the question Do you believe in the New Testament” McDermott wrote. McDermott continues by promising not to publicize Darwin’s reply in the “theological papers”.
