US scientists battle over anti-Darwin "Intelligent design" theory

[coda]

Science - AFP

US scientists battle over anti-Darwin "Intelligent design" theory

Sun Mar 6, 2005 7:18 PM ET Science - AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP)

<snip>

"It is at its bottom a Christian religious movement," said Barbara Forrest, a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University and a leading critic of the intelligent design movement.


<snip>

Jonathan Wells, a senior Discovery fellow with doctorates in both cell biology and religious studies, said the debate is mainly about the "limits of Darwinism". (and) ...rejected critics' branding intelligent design as "new creationism", referring to a Bible-based explanation of life.


<snip>


However, creationists in several states have cited intelligent design in trying to introduce their teachings into public schoolrooms. In November, school officials in Dover, Pennsylvania ordered teachers to include intelligent design in ninth-grade biology courses.

Wells criticized the Dover action, saying: "We are not pushing intelligent design in high school classrooms."

Forrest points out, however, that a 1999 Discovery fund-raising document specifically endorses the conservative Christian agenda.

"Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions," the document reads.

-


more....

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1540&e=18&u=/afp/ussciencereligion

[ixion]

1. this line tells all...

Spearheading the intelligent design movement is the Discovery Institute, a conservative think-tank in Seattle in the US northwest.



Intelligent design is pure pseudo-science. I really can't understand why it continues to be given time at scientific tables...oh yeah, BushCo has 'scientists' on the inside, just like they do the 'free' press. :eyes:

[bowens43]

2. It's worse then 'pseudo-science'

it's nothing but biblical creationism trying to sneak in through the back door. The so called 'scientists' involved with the ID scam have yet to put forth a theory of ID other then 'we don't understand it so god (the designer) did it'. However they are making tons of money by selling DVDs and books to the gullible and the ignorant. The discovery Institute is NOT a scientific organization in any sense of the word.

[ladjf]

3. It's just a "notion" and once the "notion" has been expressed

there is absolutely no body of science to back it up. It's the equivalent of saying, "Jesus had a purple goatee". What evidence is there that such was the case?

[ixion]

10. fair enough... I should have used 'faux'

point taken. ;-)

[CindyDale]

15. The goal of this group is to pervert science for political purposes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Science_and_Culture

If this "intelligent design" nonsense can be foisted on the United States, the implications are sinister. Someone could argue that all blue-eyed blonds were designed by our creator to live in cold climates, for example.

Note that this group is funded by the Bradley Foundation:

http://www.mediatransparency.org/search_results/info_on_any_recipient.php?recipientID=400

which also supported this racist author:

http://www.mediatransparency.org/people/charles_murray.htm

and gave grants for the PNAC such as this one:

http://www.mediatransparency.org/view_grant.php?grantID=18275

[no_hypocrisy]

4. When the Christian Right can carbon date the bones of Adam and Eve,

then I'll listen . . .

[ck4829]

5. I have no problem with Christianity but...

Some day I will raise children, and I will primarily teach them to be Islamic (although I would have no problem if they chose their own religion). I would have no problem with them having friends who are Christian or other religions, they could even read books of other religions, but this thing gets me.

"Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions"

This theory teaches them a 'science' that follows only Christian convictions. I don't like this mixture of pseudo-science and religion, and when I mean 'religion', I mean any religion.

I also don't have a problem with Evolution. I think both a God created Universe and Evolution are actually compatable.

[doubleplusgood]

14. "materialist worldview"

The irony of this statement is obviously lost on the person who made it. Hard-core, ant-environment "Christian" fundies (like James Watt)are some of THE most materialistic people to be found anywhere, in the sense that they only see the world in a strictly utilitarian view. To them, natural resources, species & ecosystems are just there to be "used" & we don't need to preserve them because Jesus is coming any day now.

[Philosophy]

17. Actually there are Islamic groups that support ID too

The idea is nominally neutral in regards to the "creator", as long as it is monotheistic and omnipotent. As far as I know Islam includes pretty much the same creation story as Christianity and Judaism, does it not?

[etherealtruth]

6. Do we really need to wonder...

... why "our" kids lack academically in science, behind most of the industrialized world. Is there any place else that would even entertain teaching something like this under the guise of science?

[The Zanti Regent]

7. The fruit of Jesus Lysenkoism

Just as Lysenkoism brought down the Soviet Union, so will Jesus Lysenkoism bring down the US

[Nimrod]

8. We need a place to learn Intelligent Design

Oh wait, we already have one. They're called fucking CHURCHES.

At least we can take consolation in that if this passes, we'll get to sit back and watch the fundies turn on each other over what version of false religion becomes the new official science.

[fasttense]

9. Yeah, Yeah, the next thing they'll be telling us the world is flat.

The "germ theory" is just a theory too. So they shouldn't take antibiotics when they get sick. The stupidity of religion never ceases to amaze me.

[etherealtruth]

11. I'm not sure its "religion"

Religious zealotry and bigotry---yes. I know too many people of faith who are as offended as you by this stupidity.

edit: spelling

[rodeodance]

12. yes, it is stupidity

"It is difficult to reconcile science with Christian philosophical questions," said Vittorio Maestro of Natural History magazine. "We aren't going to convince them and they aren't going to convince us."

[rodeodance]

13. does anyone know if Bush has ever spoken on this issue?

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kineneb]

16. If they get their creation myth, I want mine!

Ancestors were from Germanic Folkerwanderung...I want the pantheon presented too! Gotterdaemerung makes just as much sense as the Rapture. And watch out for the guy with and eyepatch and a raven on his shoulder.

Hey and while we are at it, don't forget the Tooth Fairy and the Great Pumpkin.

[Amfortas]

19. Kick