Re: Jerry Falwell

I received the same article from a dear YEC friend, to remind me that
argument wasn't as one-sided as portrayed. I responded:

--
Ah, but [snip] it is actually quite one-sided. The BBC poll was an 
popular opinion poll which samples relatively few people who are 
scientists, or work in or are at least knowledgable about the subject. 
Most simply hold a particular opinion for some other reason.
More telling are these results:
 >From the Discovery Institute, as of 7/18/2005, more than 400 
scientists from all disciplines signed a statement expressing doubts 
over or rejecting evolution. There are actually several such lists of 
scientists who distance themselves from evolution at the web sites of 
the DI <http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/100ScientistsAd.pdf>, 
the ICR <http://www.icr.org/creationscientists.html>, and AiG 
<%20http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/#presentsci>.
BUT...
Initially as a fun parody, the National Center for Science Education 
(NCSE) started "Project Steve 
<http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/3541_project_steve_2_16_2003.asp>",  
soliciting signatures of members who were only scientists (almost all 
PhDs) and only those named Steve (and the related Stephens, Stevens, 
Stephanies, etc.) who support evolution as, "a vital, well-supported, 
unifying principle...".  As of December 28, 2005, this list was 688 and 
growing. With Steves comprising about 1% of the membership of NCSE, this 
would translate to a list of nearly 70,000 scientists and educators who 
find no problem with evolution.
About one third of these "Steves" were biologists. There are relatively 
few biologists on the DI, ICR, and AiG lists (not surprising).
Bottom line is that a knowledgable vote is really very one-sided (400 vs 
70,000), as "Project Steve" indicates. A popular opinion (like the BBC 
poll) reflects only popular opinion, not the best scientific consensus.
--
I neglected to ask if he would want any arbitraily selected person from 
among those interviewed to teach science in his schools.
JimA
Carol or John Burgeson wrote:
>The following was received from Jerry Falwell.
>
>Interesting.
>
>Burgy
>
>Date: January 26, 2006 
>From: The Moral Majority Coalition and The Liberty Alliance 
>By: Jerry Falwell 
>
>EVOLUTION REVOLUTION 
>
>Darwinian Evolution -- the theory that is touted as enlightened truth by
>education and media elites -- is not recognized as fact by many
>individuals. 
>
>In fact, a new survey from the United Kingdom has found that a majority
>of Brits do not believe in evolution. The BBC survey of 2,000 people in a
>program titled "Horizon: A War on Science" showed that "more than half
>the British population does not accept the theory of evolution." 
>
>Further, participants largely favored the teaching of either creationism
>or intelligent design in schools, along with evolution. 
>
>Poll editor Andrew Cohen told Britain's The Register, "Most people would
>have expected the public to go for evolution theory, but it seems there
>are lots of people who appear to believe in an alternative theory for
>life's origins." 
>
>American polls have found similar results. 
>
>Last year, 64 percent in a Pew Research Center poll said they believe
>creationism should be taught alongside evolution in schools. 
>
>Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, said,
>"What this basically tells us is that in contentious issues, many people
>take the default position -- teach both sides and let people make up their
>own minds." 
>
>But the evolution community wants to dictate their values on American
>school children. The left frequently talks about "diversity," but they
>sanction uniformity of thought when it comes to teaching about the
>foundations of the universe. It is a troubling double standard. 
>
>Those who embrace biblical teachings on creation are typically depicted
>as provincial victims of obsolete views that have not kept up with modern
>society. We are told that it's fine to believe in the Genesis account of
>creation while we are in our churches, but when we step out of the church
>our views should be stifled. 
>
>Two Diverse Roads 
>
>Creationists and evolutionists utilize the same historic facts and
>evidences in their research, but they reach largely dissimilar
>conclusions. But the evolutionists' interpretation of the evidence at
>hand is largely given authority over the proposals of creationists. 
>
>When you consider how evolution is routinely presented as unquestionable
>truth in higher education and in our so-called mainstream media, it
>really is remarkable that so many people have not bought into the
>conventional thinking on the subject. 
>
>While a typical PBS broadcast on science or nature will include the
>assertive phrase "millions of years ago," it is apparent that a large
>percentage of the audience has misgivings about the statement. 
>
>I believe this is largely the result of solid Bible teaching that
>continues to echo in our nation's churches. Little children through the
>years who have learned about Adam and Eve continue to hold that story as
>truth in their hearts as adults today. 
>
>And there's reason to believe that the creationism message will soon be
>communicated to more people than ever. 
>
>In Hebron, Kentucky, not far from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
>International Airport, the spectacular Creation Museum is nearing
>completion. 
>
>An outreach of Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.org), the museum
>is a 50,000-square-foot facility that will proclaim to the world that the
>Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice and
>in every area it references. 
>
>The Creation Museum, described as a "walk through history," is scheduled
>to open in 2007 and I am anticipating that it will have an impact on our
>culture the likes of which we have never seen. This spectacular
>alternative to the evolutionary natural history museums that are turning
>countless minds against the Gospel and the authority of the Scripture,
>will soon be recounting what the Bible teaches on creation, dinosaurs,
>the world flood, and many other pertinent topics. 
>
>In the meantime, I will continue to stand against the evolutionary and
>secularist tides by proclaiming that God spoke the heavens and the earth
>into existence in six literal days.
>
>
>
>  
>