It was 200 years ago today that Charles Darwin was born. Even through the man was born two centuries ago, almost everyone in the country knows his name. Hundreds of years later, people still know about the man and his theories.

We’ve come so far since Darwin’s day. We have come a long way since he first noted took a keen interest in bird beaks on the Gallipolis Islands. Still, after all this time, Darwin’s theories, and his legacy still remains extremely important.

Scientifically speaking, Darwin’s theories are still extremely important. While still think of genetics as primarily relating to biology, so many other advances have been made possible by Darwin’s work. Agriculture and ranching both use genetics and selective breeding to increase yields. The introduction of DNA typing has changed the face of criminal justice and investigation: not only can criminals be identified through genetic evidence, but the technology is used to put names to the victims of natural and man-made disasters.

Even computer programming and engineering work has built on the ideas of Darwin – programming and design done by a large group, with the most suitable product being plucked out of the pool. Survival of the fittest code. These are just a few examples of the scientific legacy left behind by Darwin.

But besides these disciplines, Charles Darwin continued in the tradition of Galileo and Copernicus: a rigorous dedication to their observations, even in the face of oppression. During his time, Darwin was vilified for his theories. The was accused of being the agent of the devil, and some sources say that he felt the need to keep his ideas locked away for many years to keep from offending his devout sister.

Darwin wasn’t the first, but he was a vital step towards the secularization of science. Before his time, most theories into the origins of creatures had religious overtones. There was no belief that the course of animal life could be a through a natural process. By all accounts a faithful man, he still had the courage to remain true to what he had observed – even if it made him a social pariah. When asked of his theories could relate to God, he simply responded that it changed nothing. God was still the same, and mans duty remained steady. He helped usher in an age of reason, where religion and science did not have to be seen as ancient enemies or entwined figures – rather as separate vehicles set out to answer very different questions.

The idea of science being divorced from religion or ideology is still important now. Now, where the debate over the environment and health of the planet has been drawn on political lines. Now, when bickering and ideological bent taint the science of economy and the logic of math. Now, when a vocal minority would call Darwin a liar and a villain because his observations do not jive with their faith.

Darwin is long dead to the world, but his legacy is strong. As is the need to uphold it