Evolution ruling gets cheers from scientists (Forced removal of evolution 'warning' on textbooks.)

CNN ^

[muawiyah]

To split yet another hair, "facts" may be readily checked by observation by disinterested observers in a different experiment in a different laboratory.

We are waiting.

[muawiyah]

Hmmm. You mean you'd rather have a judge dictating what is or is not taught than to have a group of scientists simply duplicate the "evolution" experiment in a different, but independent laboratory?

Makes me wonder who is or is not scientifically illiterate ~ is it the Fundie Yahoos, or is it a federal judge with a pantload, or the guys who brought suit?

[muawiyah]

Libs used to believe that "shades of gray" were the dominant form of "truths".

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Since science believes in no deity at all, I do not understand how you can call it a "faith". If we don't have faith in computer science, it does not mean our computer won't work.

There's a good definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Does not this definition fit "scientific" speculation on origins? Has anyone seen the beginnings of the universe or the beginnings of life?

[RightWingAtheist]

Because any subject in biology cannot be described without reference to the theory of evolution. You are correct that describing speciation is a problem; the lines are very difficult to delineate, but we can still explain how certain traits and morphologies arise through natural selection, and this should be taught. You also mentioned teaching global warming; students should not be taught ecology or environmental issues until after they are taught the basics of biology, including evolution, so that they are informed enough to understand and critically interpret environmental issues, instead of just mindlessly repeating "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!" Of course, they also need to be taught intensively in physics and chemistry beforehand as well.

[Jeff Gordon]

Thanks for the tip!

You are welcome. For you further edification...

Layman's definition of "theory:"
An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Scientific definition of "theory:"
A systematically organized body of knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena.

[bobdsmith]

"How does the scientific method disprove the Genesis account of creation? The scientific method deals with the how of the here and now. How does the scientific method apply to creation? Without eyewitnesses to the event of creation, we are dealing with faith."

You think forensic science is faith because noone eyewitnessed the crime?

[Gritty]

Gosh. You're really a smart guy!

I'm impressed.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. (Proverbs 14:6)

[Phatnbald]

Im impressed with this thread tonight- great to see some defenders of science out in force...

[VadeRetro]

My response to the ardent evolutionist is, "If you say your ancestors climbed out of a slime pit, I'm inclined to believe you."

If you say your ancestor was made from dirt in one afternoon and was dumb enough to listen to a talking snake ...

... I'm still not sure I believe you. But it makes it easier to live with being from the slime pit.

[Fruitbat]

For anyone truly and objectively interested in evolution v. creation in science, the evidence for creation is so ridiculously overwhelming, that it's next to laughable to overrule creationism for evolution.

Most people are sheep and treat the matter as they do their favorite teams in sports. That, intellectual laziness, is the real root and crux of this issue. That and anti-christian thought and political expedience.

[VadeRetro]

While I don't believe that creationism should be taught in schools, why is there such a need to teach evolution at all?

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." -- Theodosius Dobzhansky

If we need to teach biology, we need to teach evolution.

[VadeRetro]

"Thou shalt have no other god ahead of Atheism, Secularism, and Relativism."

The underlines on "relativism" were yours. That's pure irony. Do you appreciate it?

Creationists are the biggest relativists anywhere to the right of Ted Kennedy. Who else thinks all viewpoints should be equally represented IN BIOLOGY CLASS?

[VadeRetro]

Biological evolution contains no speculation about life arising from slime.

Yes, strictly speaking, the origin of life is outside of the "variation and natural selection" classical evolutionary theory. Evolution deals with the origin of the variety of life. But we would still have looked like pond scum for a long time even after the evolution scenario was underway. There aren't any sudden "poofs" in a real evolutionary model.

[festus]

You and me either.

The state mandates the taking of tax money for the childrens education, it mandates that only evolution be taught in its schools and that queer is ok etc. The "poor single mother" is therefore left with a choice. Educate the child in the state run school or not at all. Not at all is not an option because its against the law ( not to mention bad for the kid ).

If this is not a violation of the "oppose the free excercise thereof" bit I don't know what is.

We need to have a few conservative judges pushed up thru the ranks first though.