This has turned into a rather long dissertation. It is mostly a collection of my thoughts on this issue. Feel free to delete it, but I welcome other's opinions on what I have said here. I have been following this debate in different forums now for a while (as I am sure many of you have). It seems to me that there are several different issues going on. First, there are many, many levels of belief in the ID view. These range from "the world was created in six literal days and is 6000 years old" to "a higher intelligence guided evolution of the galaxy and life over billions of years". Most people, I believe, fall somewhere in the middle or towards the latter, but most scientists' arguments seem to attack ID on the basis of a belief in the 6-day, 6000-year theory. The most vocal of the ID supporters seem to also come from this group because they have the biggest beef with evolution (as they understand it). The main problem here, as I see it is that they want to "throw out the baby with the bath water". These people IMO will most likely not change their minds and these arguments do not address the concerns of mainstream "believers". There are many aspects of evolution that can be taught that do not disagree with the latter group's beliefs (micro-evolution, for example). The scientific community would do better to focus on this common ground. Secondly, the scientific community also has a range of support for evolution (as to its methods, macro vs. micro, etc). The problem on this side is that the most vocal of the community also seem to have some beef with God. They do not seem happy just to teach their theories and the studies supporting them, but also are on a crusade to prove that God does not exist. Many directly attack faith by comparing belief in God to a belief in the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. Just as Jon Christensen said, "I still do not understand why the theory of evolution precludes intelligent design," I do not see how evolution precludes the existence of God. It seems to me that they are separate issues and attacking the existence of God based upon the theory of evolution seems to contradict the scientific method (which the evolutionists invoke to disparage ID). You can read any evolution-based discussion on slashdot.org to see many examples of this condescending attitude. One recent headline was "The Pseudo-science of Intelligent Design". Now I am not speaking for or against whether or not there is a scientific basis for ID, but the topic alone is enough to aggravate supporters of ID and does not improve the chances of an intelligent debate or dialog. I also refer you to a recent National Geographic article on Darwin which many of you may have read. The first few paragraphs of the article basically state that if you do not fully accept the current theory of evolution as explained in the article and all its implications than you are unintelligent, uneducated, or both. It also expressed incredulity that anyone in this day and age would still believe in a God. There were some well-written replies to this article by other scientifically-minded folks who took exception to this, saying it is perfectly acceptable to question parts of the current theory and for scientists to have faith in a higher power. In fact science is required to question itself in order to refine its views. Having an unquestionable theory contradicts the very basis of the scientific method. I liked the recent article in the Deseret News about evolution being taught in Utah schools. The article stated that it was taught but not generally believed. This adds fuel to the fire, because what it should have said is that certain aspects or repercussions of macro-evolution (we are not created specially in God's image, for example) are disregarded while other aspects are accepted (genetic inheritance and micro-evolution). But the main point is that parents teach their children faith at home and church, and the schools teach scientific theories and discoveries at school, without attacking that faith. I think faith is being attacked on so many levels that some parents feel defensive. Objectively teaching the theory of evolution (pointing out its strengths and its weaknesses) would be better than how it is currently taught (as Gospel truth, if you'll pardon the pun) and ridiculing those who may not fully accept parts of it. I also think that science needs to be more accommodating in general to religion. Many scientists whose opinions I have read state that nothing about religion is scientifically or experimentally verifiable. I find this to be blatantly untrue. Perhaps the experiments cannot be conducted using test tubes and a bunsen burner and the results cannot be measured using a balance, but there are many experiments which can be performed to give evidence of a God. This is by no means "proof", but it is strong evidence which cannot be simply ignored or classified on the same level as the Easter Bunny. I consider myself a scientist and I have conducted many experiments which have served to verify the validity of my faith in God. I believe I am following the same scientific method as when I am trying to determine the mass of an atom in a lab experiment. In any case, I know there are several on this list who are open-minded to both a belief in God and are scientifically minded, and I am interested in how you view these issues. Thanks for your time, Aaron Lambert

-----Original Message----- From: Jon Christensen Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 1:17 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Scientists Boycott Evolution Hearings

I still do not understand why the theory of evolution precludes intelligent design. Perhaps Evolution is the design. Unless the opponents to Evolution are claiming to know the mind of god, arguments like this are futile. Faith can not be proven, and schools are not the place to use as a battleground for idealistic crusades.

~Jon

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From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> Reply-To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> To: utah astronomy listserve <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Scientists Boycott Evolution Hearings Date: Mon, 09 May 2005 22:56:13 -0600

http://www.livescience.com/othernews/ap_050509_scientists_boycot.html

Patrick

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