Two people who changed the world share a birthday today. There are some out there who would wish that neither had gotten their way in the philosophy of ideas. There are some who want a hierarchy of values so that only a few have rights. In their own ways, each worked for that equality; one by showing we aren’t gods and the other by showing we don’t own other people.
Darwin wrote: “. . . For my part I would as soon be descended from [a] baboon . . . as from a savage who delights to torture his enemies . . . treats his wives like slaves . . . and is haunted by the grossest superstitions.”
and Lincoln said:
“Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.”
If I could take the day off to commemorate their lives, I would. Cheers!
Mystery of Iniquity 
I agree, both men are to be celebrated for their wisdom and their impact on all of us.
tobeme,
Great thinkers only come along once in a while.
Hey.
I’m a bit off on the subject here, but I just clicked and read that “Christian Men Who Hate Women” link/synopsis. It reminds me of an article I had read quite some time ago about women pastors who had gathered to stand up against that “spousal-abuse-is-your-cross-to-carry” nonsense that has been perpetuated by fundamentalism. It’s great to see that the issue is still being addressed!
NorEaster,
Yes, I’m glad it’s still being addressed as well, because it’s almost a hidden mind-set for Christian women. They are in a double-bind, so to speak: “do I obey God or my husband? Does my husband speak for God?” That kind of thing. Very insidious and a huge reason why Christian fundamentalist women are afraid to leave their spouses.