Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS][RELIGION] Few Biologists but Many Evangelicals Sign Anti-Evolution Petition

[Rick Buford <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Sorry, I hit send too soon...

"Another signer is Dr. Gregory J. Brewer, a professor of cell biology at 
the Southern Illinois University medical school. Like other skeptics, he 
readily accepts what he calls "microevolution," the ability of species 
to adapt to changing conditions in their environment. But he holds to 
the opinion that science has not convincingly shown that one species can 
evolve into another."

If they agree that micro-evolution occurs, then how can big-E evolution 
even be in doubt? i.e., if m-e (micro-evolution) occurs, and takes 
hundreds of generations to do so, then doesn't that obliterate the 
"world is 6000 years old" theory?

"Discovery officials said that they did not ask the religious beliefs of 
the signers and that such beliefs were not relevant. John G. West, a 
senior fellow at Discovery, said it was "stunning hypocrisy" to ask 
signers about their religion "while treating the religious beliefs of 
the proponents of Darwin as irrelevant.""

Ok, at this point, they really lose all semblance of credibility, 
especially in the light of the earlier statements:

"Of the signers who are evangelical Christians, most defend their doubts 
on scientific grounds but also say that evolution runs against their 
religious beliefs.

Several said that their doubts began when they increased their 
involvement with Christian churches."

K, I'm kinda liking this guy:

"Dr. Salthe, who describes himself as an atheist, said that when he 
signed the petition he had no idea what the Discovery Institute was. 
Rather, he said, "I signed it in irritation."

He said evolutionary biologists were unfairly suppressing any competing 
ideas. "They deserve to be prodded, as it were," Dr. Salthe said. "It 
was my way of thumbing my nose at them."

Dr. Salthe said he did not find intelligent design to be a compelling 
theory, either. "From my point of view," he said, "it's a plague on both 
your houses."

Rick


Mike Miller wrote:
> Check this out (from NY Times):
>
> http://taxa.epi.umn.edu/rmnews/2006/msg00076.html
>
> My comment:
>
> I would like to know how many that signed the petition discussed below 
> would also sign a petition that said "there is no God" or "Jesus was not 
> the son of God" or "a woman's right to choose to have an abortion must 
> be maintained" or even "I voted for John Kerry in 2004." In other words, 
> this is all about ideology and religion and not about science. After 
> withstanding nearly 150 years of constant, hostile opposition, the 
> essentials of Darwinian theory are now established as solidly as those 
> of any theory in any science.
>
> Mike


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