Re: Fw: Ohio Votes 13-5 to Adopt Lesson Plan Critical of Evolution

Denyse,

Let's take the word "Darwinism" out of this discussion. It is an ID/YEC
code word that does not accurately describe what evolution is. The proper
word is "evolution."

 Supporters of evolution do welcome critical inquiry, and the strongest
critiques of interpretations of scientific data regarding evolution come
from within the scientific community itself. That is not what the
supporters of this school standard want. They want to "teach the
controversy," meaning their anti-evolution campaign, not help students
understand how scientists work within the scientific community to evaluate
and challenge interpretations of scientific evidence. George's comments are
well placed.

Evolution is not "in deep trouble" in terms of its science. Speaking as one
who has examined the scientific evidence in detail, I am convinced that
evolution will continue to be as solidly grounded a scientific paradigm/web
of theories and hypotheses as any in the history of science. It may be in
trouble politically and educationally, as its dogmatic opponents continue to
use the various political structures in the US to attack it, and if they
succeed then our children (in my case, grandchildren) and their education
will be all the poorer. But the scientific enterprise will continue.
Scientists, unlike lawyers and polsters, do not count hands and votes and
are not swayed by lists of Ph.D.s put out by those opposed to the teaching
of evolution.

The "supporters' own actions" are not "the strongest testimony against the
theory." Pardon my bluntness, but I think that statement makes no sense.
The strongest testimony against any theory has to be scientific evidence,
and the opponents of evolution have failed in this respect. The
"supporters' own actions" in this case are to preserve good science
education against its erosion by those whose anti-evolution agenda is based
on certain theological and philosophical positions.

If you think the collapse of evolution has been hastened, don't hold your
breath. If there are changes in the current understanding of evolution or
if a superior scientific paradigm to that of evolution ever emerges, these
will take place slowly, over time, within the scientific community itself,
and not as the result of attacks by the Discovery Institute, Answers in
Genesis, or any other advocacy group with their cloaked or open agendas.

Bob Schneider

----- Original Message -----
From: "Denyse O'Leary" <oleary@sympatico.ca>
To: "George Murphy" <gmurphy@raex.com>; <asa@calvin.edu>
Cc: "Michael Roberts" <michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Ohio Votes 13-5 to Adopt Lesson Plan Critical of Evolution

> If Darwin's theory cannot be questioned, it is
> not science.
>
> If the supporters of Darwinism think the theory
> is viable, they should welcome critical inquiry
> instead of opposing it.
>
> The fact that supporters may well launch
> lawsuits to prevent critical thinking tells me
> that the theory is in deep trouble.
>
> Nothing that Darwin's detractors might say will
> ever be as powerful evidence as this.
>
> There is no law you can pass or strike down that
> will prevent people from knowing that Darwinism
> cannot do what its supporters claim, because the
> supporters' own actions are now the strongest
> testimony against the theory.
>
> In that regard, the Darwinists increasing remind
> me of Marxists and Freudians, determined at all
> costs to prevent critical analysis of their
> theory, thus hastening a collapse.
>
> Denyse O'Leary
> --
> To see what's new in faith and science issues,
> go to www.designorchance.com
> My next book, By Design or By Chance?: The
> Growing Controversy Over the
> Origin of Life in the Universe (Castle Quay
> Books, Oakville) will be
> published Spring 2004.
>
> To order, call Castle Quay, 1-800-265-6397,
> fax 519-748-9835, or visit www.afcanada.com
> (CDN $19.95 or
> US$14.95).
>
> Denyse O'Leary
> 14 Latimer Avenue
> Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5N 2L8
> Tel: 416 485-2392/Fax: 416 485-9665
> oleary@sympatico.ca
> www.denyseoleary.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Received on Wed Mar 10 08:57:51 2004