Re: Can you be objective about evolution?

Denis Lamoureux (dlamoure@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca)
Tue, 4 Jun 1996 17:43:33 -0600 (MDT)

On Mon, 3 Jun 1996, Arthur V. Chadwick wrote:

> Denis said somewhere in the distant past (I have been gone a month):
>
> >Hi Art,
> >You are the one who threw out the challenge: "Can you be objective about
> >evolution?" Terry Gray responded wondering about your own objectivity in
> >that being at an Adventist school you had no choice but to tow the party
> >line. And of course, as seen above, I wanted to know if that was indeed
> >the case, because if you had to tow the party line, your objectivity
> >certainly could be questionned, eh?
> >
> >So how about it? Pardon, me for asking a "really stupid question," but
> >are you forced to accept a six day creation if you want to keep your job
> >at that college you teach at?
>

AC:
> It's a really offensive question, as well as being stupid. I am where I am
> because of my beliefs. I am either coward nor cripple. If I did not believe
> in the position I do, I would be the first one out of here, long before
> anyone else knew my views. There are lots of other jobs out there where you
> don't have to stand for anything.
> Art

Dear Art,
Sorry to offend you Art, but do realize you are the one that started
this "offense" with YOUR post "Can you be objective about evolution?"
And Terry Gray had a very valid point in asking you about your own
objectivity in light of the fact of where you teach and the possibility
that your own objectivity maybe skewed by your environment.

If you are offended I am sorry, but remember you started this issue and
all I did was follow up on it. Back in April you sent this post:

Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 14:51:31 -0700
From: "Arthur V. Chadwick" <chadwicka@swac.edu>
To: Denis Lamoureux <dlamoure@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
Subject: Re: Can you be objective about evolution?

DL:
>> >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?

AC:
That is really a stupid question. Who would work at a place like that?

Now Art, I have phoned the school where you teach, and they have been kind
enough to explain to me their policies and to send me documents with
regard to the position their professors are to uphold (and I did it
without any mention of your name--so don't sweat it).

So Art, how about answering the "stupid question" DIRECTLY:

>> >Do you have to sign some sort of creationist statement of
>> >faith at the college where you are teaching that philosophy of science
>> >course?

And if so, then I know the answer to your question:

"Who would work at a place like that?"

Regards,
Denis

----------------------------------------------------------
Denis O. Lamoureux DDS PhD PhD (cand)
Department of Oral Biology Residence:
Faculty of Dentistry # 1908
University of Alberta 8515-112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2N8 T6G 1K7
CANADA CANADA

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E-mail: dlamoure@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca

"In all debates, let truth be thy aim, and endeavor to gain
rather than expose thy opponent."

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