But the problem wasn't Wiester's voice being heard (much as I might disagree with his underlying "God of the Gaps" theology), it was Wiester presenting these opinions in a way that made them seem like they were the views of the ASA (whether this was Wiester's fault or the fault of the reporter I don't know). It would be equally wrong if the specific views of somebody like Keith Miller with whom I was more in agreement were presented as those of the ASA.
And Keith's other point was that Wiester misrepresented the process and product of the newly adopted science standards in Kansas. Since Keith was in the middle of it, I assume he knows what he's talking about there.
It's strange to me that some perceive the ASA to have a Theistic Evolution slant. When I see the work of the Science Education commission and read the ASA Newsletter, I get the impression of an anti-evolution slant. I suppose such angles of inclination tend to be measured relative to the observer ...
Allan Harvey, steamdoc@aol.com
In a message dated Wed, 21 Feb 2001 8:39:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, James Mahaffy <mahaffy@mtcnet.net> writes:
<< Folks,
Much as I respect Keith for his obvious Christian witness, I think it
good for Weister's voice to be heard among evangelicals. Our reputation
among our Christian brothers is equally as important as is our
reputation among the scientific community. I professionally (when I get
time from high teaching loads) study the fossil record (paleoecology of
Carboniferous coal-swamps). I am not TE (theistic evolution) nor for
that matter YEC (young earth creation) or ID (intelligent design).
Like Wiester I worry about the secularizing influence of the
evolutionary dogma when it is taught as it often is as accounting for
the world and organism originating without a Creator. Obviously TE's
and Keith would agree with me.
It saddens me that too often ASA is seen by evangelicals as no different
than a secular science that appears to them as teaches that God had
nothing to do with Creation. It is good for them to see that there are
a variety of voices in ASA and if they go to our web site or read some
of our publications they may find some help in changing some of their
ideas that are poor science. Mybe we can help layfolks understand
science better.
>>
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