"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

— Matthew 5:10

"there is no reason why the disciples of either school [faith and science] should attack each other with bitterness, though each upholding strictly their beliefs."

— Charles Darwin to J.B. Innes, November 27, 1878

The popular theologian and best-selling author Karen Armstrong unveiled on Thursday her newest project, the Charter for Compassion. A year in the making, the Charter calls upon each of us:

"to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies."

The Charter's final charge, "to cultivate … informed empathy," brought to mind Charles Darwin, whose book On the Origin of Species was released 150 years ago this month. Then, as now, the work was the centerpiece of a decidedly non-compassionate struggle between science and faith that the great naturalist had difficulty grasping. Why, he wondered until his death, would the search for truth short-circuit the greater challenges that face us; namely, the care for the least among us.

Though he had significant doubts about the existence of God, Darwin harbored no doubts about the value of faith in the world. He was long active in the day-to-day activities of Downe Church, and was a close, life-long friend of its curate, J.B. Innes—a staunchly orthodox cleric who never did accept the theory of evolution. What Darwin admired about Innes was his compassion for the poor. He even nominated the cleric for a place in the Guardian, a fund for the poor. In his letter of support, Darwin wrote: "From all I have seen of Mr Innes' conduct towards the poor & sick, I think he would make an excellent Guardian." He also worked with him in the Friendly Club, a religious aid society, and allowed them to meet at his home.

In similar fashion, Innes was a great admirer of Darwin the man, and the naturalist. In a talk before fellow clerics and a bishop, he reportedly said of Darwin: "He is a man of the most perfect moral character, and his scrupulous regard for the strictest truth is above that of almost all men I know. … I never saw a word in his writings which was an attack on Religion. He follows his own course as a Naturalist and leaves Moses to take care of himself."

It's not that Darwin didn't care what "Moses" was doing. Rather, Darwin was driven by a different set of issues and questions—the answers to which he found in his work as a naturalist. Yet, the separate paths that Darwin and Innes walked in their mutual search for truth never blinded them to what really mattered most in this life—compassion and care for the least of us.

That's what Armstrong has reminded us of again with the Charter for Compassion. And we may find no better models than Darwin and Innes to learn from.

Related resources:

• Charter for Compassion

• Darwin and the Church, from the Darwin Correspondence Project

• Darwin's Letters with J.B.Innes

— Martin Davis, November 13, 2009