>Well, my mom always said I was a slow learner, but this kinda solves the
>mystery of Art's view on origins for me. Nothing need be said beyond
>this.
>
>Many times on the reflector we hear of conspiracy stories on how the
>modern secular university inhibits Christians from seeing the "light" of
>YEC or PC. Inversely, can it be said that at religiously based
>institutions a similar dynamic occurs?
>
>How about Art? Do you have to sign some sort of creationist statement of
>faith at the college where you are teaching that philosophy of science
>course? Any chance it is skewing you, to use your words, from "being
>objective about evolution?"
While I do not think Denis' ad hominem remarks are worthy of a response, I
would like to address a couple of points he raises.
In my senior year of high school, I completed an honors humanities course
taught by an avowed atheist. Although I was an Episcopalian, partly through
the influence of that class, I entered college a convicted evolutionist and
agnostic (as I think many high school students do). However, at a major
state university in California, I had three experiences that profoundly
affected my life. My Chemistry professor, one of the best teachers I have
ever encountered (and the author of a well known Chemistry textbook, took
nearly an entire lecture period prior to Christmas break to share his
profound faith in Jesus Christ and a meaningful creator with the entire 500
plus students. That shook me. Then in my Biology course, I was pressing
the professor (a Berkeley Developmental Biologist) on the nature of
(cellular) life. After attempting to answer my question in class, he asked
me to see him after class. He took me to his office, and very carefully
explained to me that he saw life as more than an accident, and that he
believed there had to be a "Higher Power" involved. That shook me. During
the same semester, I met a devout Catholic student. He and I began to have
bible studies, discovered there was a commandment to keep Sabbath, and
decided to do so before I had ever heard of Seventh Day Adventists. I have
never needed anyone to coach me regarding my beliefs. I hope that helps you
to get around your profound prejudice, Denis.
Art
http://chadwicka.swac.edu