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Kōrero: Atheism and secularism

Samuel Butler on Darwin

This imaginary dialogue, which appeared in the Christchurch Press on 20 December 1862, reveals the views of author Samuel Butler on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, published in 1859. Darwin's book did not cause much of a stir in New Zealand, where many people believed that science could co-exist with religion.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: The Press, 20 December 1862, p. 2 (N-P 1393-2)

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Carl Walrond, Atheism and secularism – A Christian legacy, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/zoomify/26192/samuel-butler-on-darwin (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Carl Walrond, i tāngia i te 23 March 2011.