Posted on 01/28/2009 11:36:17 AM PST by Coyoteman
We will see and hear the term “Darwinism” a lot during 2009, a year during which scientists, teachers, and others who delight in the accomplishments of modern biology will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. But what does “Darwinism” mean? And how is it used? At best, the phrase is ambiguous and misleading about science. At worst, its use echoes a creationist strategy to demonize evolution.
snip...
In summary, then, “Darwinism” is an ambiguous term that impairs communication even about Darwin’s own ideas. It fails to convey the full panoply of modern evolutionary biology accurately, and it fosters the inaccurate perception that the field stagnated for 150 years after Darwin’s day. Moreover, creationists use “Darwinism” to frame evolutionary biology as an ism or ideology, and the public understanding of evolution and science suffers as a result. True, in science, we do not shape our research because of what creationists claim about our subject matter. But when we are in the classroom or otherwise dealing with the public understanding of science, it is entirely appropriate to consider whether what we say may be misunderstood. We cannot expect to change preconceptions if we are not willing to avoid exacerbating them. A first step is eschewing the careless use of “Darwinism.”
(Excerpt) Read more at springerlink.com ...
The false dichotomy comes in assuming the religious belief and freedom can't work in tandem, rather than having to be priorities, one of which MUST be ranked above the other. The Founders would have strenuously differed with you, even the ones who weren't exactly orthodox Christians.
It is not an either/or question that you are trying to imply.
Well, then you might want to try re-phrasing the question if that's not your intention, so that you don't sound like that's what you're trying to say.
There, I fixed it for you.
Yes he was. I still remember the time Soliton tried to pass himself off to me as some sort of classicist expert, right before he mixed up Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus.
I've seen the pictures that one of your own post about people who disagree with evolution. Almost his entire last two years of posting history is nothing but disparaging remarks and insults. How is that contributing to the evo discussions in any positive way?
There are many evos who almost never post FOR evolution. Their only contributions are insults against religion and God.
oh noez H.P. Lovecraft : )
What elements of “Darwinism” do you think the public needs to be disabused of?
I’m most particularly interested in it being taught as theory not fact to the exclusion of all other ideas, not used as a tool to attack Christianity, to allow serious peer review...as opposed to cultish attacks like “that’s not science” or “that’s religion not science” each and every single time it’s challenged...
just for starters.
I suspect if more of the moderate folk had spoken up, CM might not have been so strong in his subsequent post.
Moderate folks? Really?
Not really. Few, if any, women get abortions for eugenic reasons, however broadly defined. Most do so for economic reasons.
Who needs life sized Bratz dolls?
I wonder what dimwit educrat thought that was a good idea?
Like I want my tax dollars being spent on classroom supplies like this?
It’s all about socialization not education.
I was under the impression he was a big boy. He didn't need anyone to hold his hand.
He has a long history of fairly well modulated posts.
Used to. He's been losing it lately with his rants about theocracies and being burned at the stake.
Speaking of moderating..... he moderates over at TOS. He knows what it's like from the moderating end of it and he ought to have known better than to mouth off at the site owner.
He has no one to blame for that but himself. I'd bet nobody was holding a gun to his head making him type those words, so you evos can stop trying to blame shift. We're not taking the responsibility because it's not our fault.
As far as provoking, the eovs are in no position to point any fingers. They're not exactly paragons of virtue themselves.
http://digg.com/odd_stuff/Now_You_Can_Shave_Your_Baby_PIC?t=22888154
I hear tell it’s *ahem*.... “art”
It's a Marxist attack on evangelical Christians, the ones who oppose them fearlessly and frustrate them and their agenda the most. They come here, or used to, to attack and marginalize believers and it was a big game to them before Mr. R sent them packing. They never had the courage to attack Judaism for the same scriptures. They are cowards
>>I hear tell it’s *ahem*.... “art”<<
Thank goodness. I now have a smidge more faith in humanity.
Only a little. Some mind did think it up.
I wonder what it is that “artists” smoke?
Sorry for the sharp tone, I was up FReeping till 1:30 AM the night before and my job is killing me.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Sorry if I misled you.
I was referring to the behavior I would hope responsible individuals would display.
Coyoteman was the object, not the subject and isn’t here to express an opinion.
You didn’t mislead me, certainly not intentionally.
After rereading your post I see what you meant. It could be interpreted in more than one way and I guess I just got the wrong one.
You know, when you have a 50/50 chance of being right, you’ll be wrong 90% of the time.
I said nothing about religious belief in my question. The fact that you continue to misrepresent the question even after being told repeatedly that it was not part of the question, indicates that you are not mistaken, you are intentionally lying.
I happen to believe however, that your emotions tend to control your responses and you can't separate 'belief' from your 'Christian' religion. Maybe you would do well to follow one of the teachings of Christ and remove the beam from your own eye, before trying to remove the mote from someone else's.
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