Re: [asa] Theistic Evolutionists Clos e Ranks — Let the Bloodletting Begin!

Right. We all know that the history of "war" in the Church is long, sordid
and sad. Sigh.

As to name calling here -- yes its different because it's not a major
"movement" website and the name-callers weren't public figures. It's also
significantly different because when I complained to the ASA leadership,
they reprimanded the person and there were both public apologies and private
reconciliation.

I don't often agree with Ed Brayton, but he's spot on about this one,
unfortunately:
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2008/06/dembskis_latest_silliness_1.p
hp#more

On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 11:32 PM, Stephen Matheson <smatheso@calvin.edu>
wrote:

> David O. asks:
> "What I don't understand is, why respond this way? Why not let a soft
> answer turn away wrath?"
>
> I assume that David is referring to the disturbing words of Bill Dembski.
> And I think the answer to David's question is very clear. Indeed, I don't
> think Dembski left any doubt. If the question is "why not let a soft answer
> turn away wrath?" the answer is "because WAR IS THE GOAL." In fact,
> Dembski's crazed rage is so unrelated to the actual words to which he is
> "responding" that I think it's reasonable to assume that he wants nothing
> more than an "ugly war" and is willing to set aside both rudimentary ethics
> and basic reason in that wicked pursuit.
>
> How sad that the regular defenders of ID on this listserv haven't stepped
> forward to condemn Dembski's virulent speech. It's not too late, and now is
> the time. I'm afraid that Bill Dembski is beyond our help, but those who
> might look to the ASA for leadership/guidance on how to discuss design and
> natural explanation, in the context of Christian unity and devotion to the
> Creator, can be expected to carefully observe our response to the
> viciousness of his rhetoric.
>
> For Christ's sake, let's make it clear that Dembski's behavior is the
> antithesis of the ASA's basic values, and that no matter what we might think
> of the proposals of the ID movement, we will never countenance such
> destructively malicious conduct in the Lord's name.
>
> Steve Matheson
>
> P.S. David, I'm sorry that you've been called names here, and if I'd been
> here I would have strongly condemned it. But we're in a different galaxy
> here, don't you think?
>
> >>> "David Opderbeck" <dopderbeck@gmail.com> 06/15/08 7:33 PM >>>
> What I don't understand is, why respond this way? Why not let a soft
> answer
> turn away wrath? The LAST thing the Church needs is an additional ugly war
> between two "camps" that really have more in common than not at the end of
> the day.
>
> On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 6:45 PM, Dave Wallace <wmdavid.wallace@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/theistic-evolutionists-close-ranks-let-the-bloodletting-begin/
> >
> > Quote from Dembski:
> >
> > You know, I would be happy to sit down with theistic evolutionists and
> > discuss our differences. I think they are wrong to baptize Darwin's
> theory
> > as God's mode of creation. But I don't think they are immoral or
> > un-Christian for holding their views.
> >
> > It seems to me that in earlier parts of his posting he did question or
> come
> > close to questioning the faith of ECs. Did not people like Ted, Rich and
> > other try to have a dialogue a few years back on UCD and get booted and
> had
> > their Christianity doubted, or am I becoming senile. Miller may well
> have
> > gone too far in his attack on ID but Dembski's taring all of us the way
> he
> > does seems very unfair.
> > Could someone please explain how if ID is supposed to be religiously
> > neutral, this post belongs on UcD.
> > Dave W (ASA member)
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
> > "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
> >
>
>
>
> --
> David W. Opderbeck
> Associate Professor of Law
> Seton Hall University Law School
> Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology
>
>

-- 
David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology
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