Posted on 05/08/2007 9:24:03 PM PDT by Chuckmorse
During the May 3 Republican presidential debate, moderator Chris Matthews asked the candidates “How many of you don’t believe in evolution?” Sen. Sam Brownback, Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Rep. Tom Tancredo all raised their hands indicating that they did not believe in it. Rep. Barney Frank raised the same question in 2004 when he accused me, his opponent that year, of questioning the theory of evolution. Liberals are confident that those who question the theory of evolution will be held up for public ridicule and scorn. Many liberals pride themselves on questioning everything in life except when it comes to the theory of evolution, which they accept as bedrock science. But is it?
The theory of evolution is just that, a theory. There is not a shred of evidence to indicate that mankind evolved from the amoeba, which evolved into the fish, which evolved into the bird, which evolved into the mouse, which evolved into the monkey, which evolved into man. While there is evidence of inter-species evolution, there is no proof of the basic thesis presented by Charles Darwin which is that one species evolves into another. In fact, science seems to favor creationism, also just a theory, as recent DNA evidence indicates that mankind is descended from one mother.
It could be therefore argued that the theory of evolution, since it is not science in the sense that there is no documented or empirical evidence to back it up, is based as much on religious belief as is creationism. Both theories are based on faith as opposed to scientific certainty and, I would argue, creationism contains better science. Yet the liberal establishment demands that the federal government mandate by law that only evolution is to be taught in the public school science class.
I would argue that Intelligent design, which is the theory that mankind was created by divine intervention, could be introduced into education in tandem with the theory of evolution without getting into any particular religious scenario, such as the Genesis story in the Bible, and without endorsing any particular religious denomination. If intelligent design were to be given equal time with evolution, the faith of the atheist would be no more compromised than that of the theist. In fact, such a presentation would be more honest and balanced since scientific inquiry is supposed to be open to all plausible theories.
The theory of evolution is a political question in American politics because liberal supporters demand that the federal government mandate it’s teaching and insist on a gag order when it comes to any discussion of intelligent design in the classroom. This is contrary to American traditions of free speech and the free and open expression of ideas. This also violates the right of the taxpaying citizen to have a say in the education of their own children and supplants the ability of local educators and elected local school board officials to determine curriculum.
Teaching intelligent design alongside evolution would open doors to important thought and inquiry. When the young student contemplates the possibility that mankind is more than just an evolving animal, amoral and bound to nature like other animals, than perhaps the student becomes aware of the uniqueness and value of every single human life. Implied in the theory of a divine creator is that there is a larger purpose to life and that there is a moral code. Intelligent design sets the stage for the individual to look to a higher power than the government, which is perhaps why liberals so adamantly oppose it. In these times of rampant school violence and moral relativism, the teaching of intelligent design, in a non sectarian way and alongside the teaching of the theory of evolution, would serve many positive purposes besides a simple striving for truth.
Calling it whatever, the fact remains it doesn’t explain the world around us as much as modern science does. It is clueless about 65-million year old dinosaur fossils, for instance. Or about the Earth being spherical, or of it going around the Sun, and not the other way round.
Ah, now you’re talking my language! I could tell you stories!
http://www.cellardining.com/desserts.html
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most responsive to change."
- Charles Darwin.
Interesting. However, stories we’ll reserve for bedtime, when the Desert Tale Theories have to be put to rest...
No, it isn't actually. The fossil evidence is good, and even if we didn't have that you can actually SEE the relevant bones moving from the jaw into the ear during the embryological development of some mammals. This has been observed specifically in kangaroos.
There's no question of the homologies involved.
You cannot change someone’s belief system with logic or science.
Is there a tale behind that?
I’ve noticed that.
If they weren’t reasoned into it, they can’t be reasoned out of it. That’s the danger of voluntary suspension of critical facilities.
Science and religious belief are not mutually exclusive. Yet there is a belief that they are incompatible. We’ve yet to see the full impact of the demonization of Darwin.
I can try, can’t I?
;^)
Lols aside, I know you have a point, but every blow makes a crack, no matter how tiny.
Arguing — even logically — just strengthens faith. Add to that the fact that folks no longer trust logical arguments of any complexity — they feel they’re being tricked in some way to betray what they “know to be true.”
That category of humanoids, I truly fear!
;^)
When people have to be ‘tricked’ into thinking for themselves, something’s wrong.
Trust of the MSM is at an all time low. Trust of the gubmint is at an all time low. Stuff is happening they don’t quite understand, but intuitively fear.
Where should they put their trust?
Frankly, I think we should replace all science textbooks with illustrations like this detail from a mosaic in the Florence Baptistry.
Life before science was nasty, brutish and short. We may yet see a return to the Dark Ages if this nonsense continues.
Won’t happen. It’s just that the world will divide up real quick.
Pretty frightening, eh?
I could bet good money on saying that I've mentioned the exact same to someone here a couple of weeks ago. Almost ditto, it feels like deja-vu!
:^)
Words fail me, unsurprisingly, though. At this day and age? Going by the said person's "experiences" I find it unfair that I'm not able to bring up an any-time, narcotic-free high like that. I have more than a few problems to surrender, were it so easy!
We have very, very interesting days ahead of us. All the best! Lol!
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