It seems to me as if Darwinism really made materialism a possibility. Prior to natural selection and evolutionary theory, to suggest the non-existence of God would have been silly. Where else would human life have possibly come from? Or life at all? Thoughts?
I don't think it's because Darwin the materialism happened. Materialism would have happened with or without him, some other scientist would have taken his place. Science always evolves, always explains past and new unknowns, that's why religion is trying to keep up and coming with some rather funny theories sometimes: like Earth - centre of the Universe, or Intelligent Design most fresh theory.