RE: [asa] New foray by the DISCOVER Institute

>. The failure of evolutionary biology to provide detailed evolutionary
explanations for the origin of complex biochemical features
>. The failure of the fossil record to provide support for Darwinian
evolution
>. The failure of molecular biology to provide evidence for universal common
descent
>. The failure of genetics and chemistry to explain the origin of the
genetic code
>. The failure of developmental biology to explain why vertebrate embryos
diverge from the beginning of development.

I think some of these are valid unknowns and significant challenges to a
non-theistic evolutionary paradigm, and these could be valuable
contributions to a "teach the controversy" approach, but the problem with
this negative attack on the unknowns while dismissing the known evidences
for evolution leaving only their alternative for special creation discredits
and taints anything positive they may stumble upon.

All of these questions above could be used effectively by TE's to show why
Dawkins' AE position is a matter of faith, and could be used as a very
strong support for a creator and a Christian worldview, but we can't because
ID keeps screwing it up with these childish, negative, anti-science attacks.
They are confusing and missing the distinction between evolution as a
mechanism and the philosophical baggage that Dawkins and others are adding
on to it. This is the real controversy that should be taught. But this shows
that they are not interested in defending God or the Truth, just their own
spiritually prideful interpretation of special creation.

John

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of j burg
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 11:56 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: [asa] New foray by the DISCOVER Institute

Just noted today:
 

From the Christian Post:

An intelligent design think tank has launched a new website recounting the
failures of Darwinism that were left unmentioned by study materials on a PBS
documentary covering the 2005 Dover trial.

        Related
* Intelligent
<http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071112/30054_Intelligent_Design_Grou
p_Accuses_PBS_of_Promoting_Unconstitutional_Teaching.htm> Design Group
Accuses PBS of Promoting Unconstitutional Teaching

The Discovery Institute plans to post a slide show presentation critiquing
the online materials from PBS-NOVA's "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on
Trial" documentary on www.judgingpbs.com <http://www.judgingpbs.com/> .

The presentation, entitled "Darwin's Failed Predictions," challenges an
assertion made by PBS that evidence "unequivocally supports the theory of
evolution by natural selection."

"The following slides show that scientists are increasingly skeptical that
natural selection is the primary agent of evolutionary change," according to
Anika Smith, a contributor for the group's Center for Science & Culture
<http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071221/30588_Intelligent_Design_Grou
p_Identifies_Failures_of_Darwinism.htm#> .

"Moreover, key postulates of Darwin's theory - universal common descent, the
continuity of life, and transitions in the fossil record - have come under
intense scientific scrutiny from a diverse array of fields, including
molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, biochemistry, and
paleontology," Smith added.

According to the website, some of Darwin's failed predictions include:

. The failure of evolutionary biology to provide detailed evolutionary
explanations for the origin of complex biochemical features
. The failure of the fossil record to provide support for Darwinian
evolution
. The failure of molecular biology to provide evidence for universal common
descent
. The failure of genetics and chemistry to explain the origin of the genetic
code
. The failure of developmental biology to explain why vertebrate embryos
diverge from the beginning of development.

Burgy

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Received on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:30:57 -0500