From: Robert Schneider (rjschn39@bellsouth.net)
Date: Wed Aug 20 2003 - 15:05:02 EDT
Jay's substitution of "so many" for "so often" does not make such a sweeping
indictment any less palatable, and Howard's challenge for empirical evidence
still stands.
One of the major difficulties that stand in the way of carrying on a serious
discussion and debate over the merits of the evolutionary paradigm is that
it has become so stuck in the culture wars. One gets bombarded with
sweeping accusations and ad hominem characterizations that add nothing
positive to the discussion and serve only to raise hackles.
From my own experience of trying to teach the main features of evolution to
students who have come armed and armored, I know how frustrating such an
experience is, and it must be even more so for biology teachers in public
schools, who often have to walk on eggshells with school board members,
local pastors and parents looking over their shoulders. What I learned from
the seniors in my college seminar is that 80% were not exposed to evolution
in their high school biology or science classes, mainly because "the teacher
skipped that chapter." Why, is not hard to guess. They are as much
casualties in the culture wars as their students who are kept in ignorance.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Howard J. Van Till" <hvantill@chartermi.net>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:51 PM
Subject: Re: Student perceptions re evolution
> >From: "Jay Willingham" <jaywillingham@cfl.rr.com>
>
> > Conversely, teachers of evolution so often teach it as proof that there
is
> > no God and the Bible is a pack of lies.
>
> What is the basis for this serious accusation against "teachers of
> evolution," many of whom are Christians?
>
> Do you have the strength of empirical evidence on your side?
>
> Would you approve of scientists making assertions on the basis of evidence
> of the same quality?
>
> Would it be any less accurate to say, "Preachers of Christianity so often
> use the Bible as proof that macro-evolution did not occur and that science
> is a pack of lies."?
>
> Howard Van Till
>
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