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Evolution of creationism: Pseudoscience doesn't stand up to natural selection
Daytona Beach News-Journal ^ | 29 November 2004 | Editorial (unsigned)

Posted on 11/29/2004 6:52:41 AM PST by PatrickHenry

In a poll released last week, two-thirds of Americans said they wanted to see creationism taught to public-school science pupils alongside evolution. Thirty-seven percent said they wanted to see creationism taught instead of evolution.

So why shouldn't majority rule? That's democracy, right?

Wrong. Science isn't a matter of votes -- or beliefs. It's a system of verifiable facts, an approach that must be preserved and fought for if American pupils are going to get the kind of education they need to complete in an increasingly global techno-economy.

Unfortunately, the debate over evolution and creationism is back, with a spiffy new look and a mass of plausible-sounding talking points, traveling under the seemingly secular name of "intelligent design."

This "theory" doesn't spend much time pondering which intelligence did the designing. Instead, it backwards-engineers its way into a complicated rationale, capitalizing on a few biological oddities to "prove" life could not have evolved by natural selection.

On the strength of this redesigned premise -- what Wired Magazine dubbed "creationism in a lab coat" -- school districts across the country are being bombarded by activists seeking to have their version given equal footing with established evolutionary theory in biology textbooks. School boards in Ohio, Georgia and most recently Dover, Pa., have all succumbed.

There's no problem with letting pupils know that debate exists over the origin of man, along with other animal and plant life. But peddling junk science in the name of "furthering the discussion" won't help their search for knowledge. Instead, pupils should be given a framework for understanding the gaps in evidence and credibility between the two camps.

A lot of the confusion springs from use of the word "theory" itself. Used in science, it signifies a maxim that is believed to be true, but has not been directly observed. Since evolution takes place over millions of years, it would be inaccurate to say that man has directly observed it -- but it is reasonable to say that evolution is thoroughly supported by a vast weight of scientific evidence and research.

That's not to say it's irrefutable. Some day, scientists may find enough evidence to mount a credible challenge to evolutionary theory -- in fact, some of Charles Darwin's original suppositions have been successfully challenged.

But that day has not come. As a theory, intelligent design is not ready to steal, or even share, the spotlight, and it's unfair to burden children with pseudoscience to further an agenda that is more political than academic.


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: creationism; crevolist; darwin; evolution; unintelligentdesign
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To: PatrickHenry
Nice to see that someone in the press understands what's going on.

This editorialist has not demonstrated that he understands much more than standard-issue ideological rants. The key is in this sentence:

This "theory" doesn't spend much time pondering which intelligence did the designing.

This is a classic example of moving the goalposts: from a scientific standpoint it literally doesn't matter which intelligence did the designing. What this little gem really suggests is that Our Editor has an antipathy toward religion. That's his right, certainly, but it's not evidence that he "understands" anything other than his own biases (and possibly not even those).

A lot of the confusion springs from use of the word "theory" itself. Used in science, it signifies a maxim that is believed to be true, but has not been directly observed.

Not correct. For example, the "Theory of Relativity" remains a theory despite the fact that it was developed in response to phenomena that have been directly observed. To base a "theory" on things not directly observed is the exception, not the rule.

Since evolution takes place over millions of years, it would be inaccurate to say that man has directly observed it -- but it is reasonable to say that evolution is thoroughly supported by a vast weight of scientific evidence and research.

By that standard, "Intelligent Design" is a valid theory. It is supported by millenia of evidence -- as any good University Agriculture department could tell you. The age-old practices of Selective Breeding, and the newer sciences of genetic manipulation, are irrefutable proof that Intelligent Design is a viable theory. At least some of what we see can be explained just as easily, and perhaps more easily, by theorizing the actions of an intelligent agent.

The problem, of course, is that there is an a priori, if widely unacknowledged bias, against the presence of intelligent agents -- even though we humans play that role literally all the time.

All of this is not to say that evolutionary theory is wrong -- I would not make such a claim. Rather, it is merely to point out the foolishness of claiming that it is the only possible explanation. After all, we already know that Intelligent Design is reasonable, because we know that humans can, and do, use it.

I'll be honest, PH -- it's far below your usual standards to be posting ill-reasoned, unsigned newspaper editorials in support of your views.

41 posted on 11/29/2004 7:20:06 AM PST by r9etb
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To: mikeus_maximus

well said


42 posted on 11/29/2004 7:20:30 AM PST by Taggart_D
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To: Navydog; PatrickHenry
"established evolutionary theory"

This phrase says it all....case closed.

Huh? Explain please.

43 posted on 11/29/2004 7:21:09 AM PST by RadioAstronomer
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To: ECM
There's no such thing as Creationism. There is only the fact that God created the entire universe and then there's this Theory Thingy......
44 posted on 11/29/2004 7:22:30 AM PST by Red Badger (If the Red States are JESUSLAND, then the Blue States are SATANLAND......)
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To: Blzbba
66% of Americans are in favor of using public tax dollars on teaching an unprovable, silly religious story? That there are that many ignorant people is pretty scary.

They're already teaching one such story as if it were fact (evolution). Might as well put the other theory on the table, too.

45 posted on 11/29/2004 7:22:38 AM PST by newgeezer (for further reading on this subject, see Romans 1)
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To: cainin04; Rammer

Re #24. Please cite sources.


46 posted on 11/29/2004 7:22:40 AM PST by RadioAstronomer
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To: All; RadioAstronomer
THE LIST-O-LINKS (for evolution threads):
The new "List-O-Links," posted as a public service, so that each new thread doesn't have to start at ground zero:

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SCIENCE
The scientific method. Definitions of "theory," "hypothesis," etc.
The scientific method. Another site. Exhaustive discussion.

WHAT IS EVOLUTION?
The Theory of Evolution. Excellent introductory encyclopedia article.
Is Evolution Science? It certainly is. Here's why.
But ... Evolution Is Just a Theory! Yes, and that's a good thing.
Five Major Misconceptions about Evolution. On point and well-written.
Understanding Evolution, an evolution website for teachers.
DARWIN, Full Text of his Writings. The original ee- voe-lou-shunist.
The Evolution Fact FAQ. Good general information site.
The Evidence for Human Evolution. For those who claim there isn't any evidence.
Botanical Society of America's Statement on Evolution. Excellent statement.

TONS OF EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION
29+ Evidences for Macroevolution. Yes, macro-evolution.
Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ. Yes, transitional fossils exist.
Evidence for Evolution . Compilation of links.
Observed Instances of Speciation. That's right ... observed!
Fossil whale with legs. Land animal to whale transitional fossil.
Feathered Dinosaurs.
Archaeopteryx. Reptile-to-bird transitional fossil.
Archaeopteryx: FAQS . A true transitional fossil
All About Archaeopteryx.
Human Ancestors.
Comparison of all Hominid skulls.

IS EVOLUTION THEORY IN CRISIS? (Only in your dreams.)
The Imminent Demise of Evolution. Glenn Morton's excellent site.
The Flagellum Unspun: The Collapse of "Irreducible Complexity," Kenneth R. Miller. Critique of Behe.
Project Steve. Nat'l Center for Science Education: the overwhelming number of genuine scientists supporting evolution.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE SCIENTISTS QUOTED AS OPPOSING EVOLUTION?
Quotations and Misquotations.What Anti-evolutionists Quote is Not Valid Evidence Against Evolution
Online resources documenting anti-evolutionist misquotations. Dishonest, bogus, and out-of-context quotes.
The Quote Mine Project. Or, Lies, Damned Lies and Quote Mines.
The Revised Quote Book. Looking at how Creationists Quote Evolutionists.

WELL, MAYBE MICRO-EVOLUTION HAPPENS, BUT NOT MACRO-EVOLUTION
Zeno's Paradox. The micro/macro issue is a sad revival of an ancient fallacy.

BUT WEREN'T HITLER AND STALIN EVOLUTIONISTS? (No, they weren't.)
Creationists, Hitler and Evolution. Hitler was most likely a creationist.
Adolf Hitler's Religion. Text at note 32 is pure creationism.
Trofim Denisovich Lysenko. Stalin's biologist, definitely an anti-Darwinian.
Darwin's Influence on Ruthless Laissez Faire Capitalism. ICR links Darwin to good ol' capitalism.

BUT ISN'T THE FOSSIL RECORD THE RESULT OF NOAH'S FLOOD? (No, it isn't.)
What Would We Expect to Find if the World had Flooded?
Problems with a Global Flood.

EDUCATION ISSUES
Antievolutionism and Creationism in the United States. Great summary of the issues.
American Ass'n for the Advancement of Science. Evolution in the classroom.

LITIGATION
The Evolution Controversy. Scopes trial and some Supreme Court cases.

RELIGION ISSUES
Faith can never conflict with reason. The Pope's statement on Galileo and science/scripture conflicts.
Another link to the Pope's message.. An excerpt:
In fact, the Bible does not concern itself with the details of the physical world, the understanding of which is the competence of human experience and reasoning. There exist two realms of knowledge, one which has its source in Revelation and one which reason can discover by its own power. To the latter belong especially the experimental sciences and philosophy. The distinction between the two realms of knowledge ought not to be understood as opposition.
The Pope's 1996 statement on evolution. Physical evolution is not in conflict with Christianity. Excerpts:
It is necessary to determine the proper sense of Scripture, while avoiding any unwarranted interpretations that make it say what it does not intend to say. In order to delineate the field of their own study, the exegete and the theologian must keep informed about the results achieved by the natural sciences.

Today, almost half a century after the publication of the Encyclical, fresh knowledge has led to the recognition that evolution is more than a hypothesis. It is indeed remarkable that this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a significant argument in favour of this theory.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH CREATIONISM? (Nothing, but it's not science)
Facts, Faith, and Fairness. Why creationism isn't science.
15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense. From Scientific American
Creation "Science" Debunked. Why creationism is NOT science.
Frequently Asked But Never Answered Questions. A creationist nightmare!

ORIGIN OF LIFE (NOT PART OF EVOLUTION THEORY)
The Probability of Abiogenesis. Not evolution, but a good discussion of life's origins.
Are the Odds Against the Origin of Life Too Great to Accept? Answer: no. Huge site.

SOME INCORRECT (BUT COMMON) CREATIONIST ARGUMENTS
An Index to Creationist Claims. From Talk.Origins. Exhaustive list.
Arguments we think creationists should NOT use From Answers in Genesis.
How Could An Eye Evolve? A frquently raised issue.
The 2nd law of thermodynamics, so beloved (and poorly understood) by creationists.
Radiometric Dating A Christian Perspective. A Bible-believing Christian's viewpoint

GALILEO LINKS (Not evolution, but an earlier science/scripture conflict.)
Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany. Galileo's opinion about science/scripture conflicts.
The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633. The heresy confession.
Trial of Galileo Galilei in 1633.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Morton's Demon. Why so many have trouble with evolution.
Humour. The laughable side of creationism.
The Crackpot Index, by John Baez. See how high you can score.
The SKEPTIC annotated bibliography. Great pseudo-science meta- site!
Frequently Encountered Criticisms in Evolution vs. Creationism.

JUNIOR'S COMPENDIUM
So that everyone will have access to the accumulated Creationism vs. Evolution threads which have previously appeared on FreeRepublic, plus links to hundreds of sites with a vast amount of information on this topic, here's Junior's massive work, available for all to review: The Ultimate Creation vs. Evolution Resource [ver 22].
47 posted on 11/29/2004 7:23:35 AM PST by PatrickHenry (The List-O-Links for evolution threads is at my freeper homepage.)
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To: PatrickHenry
Science isn't a matter of votes -- or beliefs. It's a system of verifiable facts,

Correct and macro evolution is not verifiable.

48 posted on 11/29/2004 7:23:40 AM PST by ColdSteelTalon
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To: PatrickHenry
Evolution, Science Ping!

Suppose we look up at a clear night sky, and conclude that, because bright stars appear to be closer than dimmer stars (based on our experience that brighter street lamps our closer than dimmer street lamps), we need not invent telescopes to view them in detail and apply the parallax (basic trigonometry) to discern their true distances. That's just what advocates of ID would have us do.

Liberals figured out too many people were opposed to gun control, so they started preaching to us about gun safety. Now Creationists have their own less offensive, harder to immediately dismiss Intelligent Design to slip into our science curriculum!

49 posted on 11/29/2004 7:24:41 AM PST by eagle11 (IQ (FR) > IQ (DU))
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To: PatrickHenry

Actually, come to think of it, I'd like to know more about this poll. Frankly, the numbers sound about as reliable as a Democrat exit poll. Who did they ask the question of? Sounds to me like more left-wing post-election hysteria. I think most open-minded people of faith think it's reasonable to have Creationism referenced in the classroom as an alternate belief system to evolutionary dogma, but I don't think they feel it needs to be a full-fledged parallel curriculum; for the simple reason that it doesn't require as much detailed explanation to grasp the theory.


50 posted on 11/29/2004 7:25:04 AM PST by william clark
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To: Blzbba
66% of Americans are in favor of using public tax dollars on teaching an unprovable, silly religious story? That there are that many ignorant people is pretty scary.

Something like 2/3 of Americans think that we can pay off the nation's debt by printing more money and more than half think that they'll be able to retire off of their lottery ticket winnings.

51 posted on 11/29/2004 7:25:07 AM PST by Modernman (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin)
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To: bzrd
when it comes to the topic of origins. I say we let the young minds in on the debate.

Where do we draw the line? Which creation stories do you want left out? Odin?

BTW, a creation story is not a scientific theory.

52 posted on 11/29/2004 7:25:23 AM PST by RadioAstronomer
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To: PatrickHenry

You have faith in something unproved by the scientific method. There are laws in this universe and Creation follows them. So you are here to HELP us discover we evolved from apes and have no purpose in life. Um, thanks.

http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/index.shtml#design_in_the_universe


53 posted on 11/29/2004 7:25:57 AM PST by KTpig
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To: WildTurkey

"A majority of Americans voted for Gore over Bush."


Not if only legal votes were the ones counted. Throw out vote fraud and Bush won the popular vote.


54 posted on 11/29/2004 7:26:05 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: mikeus_maximus

"(Pssst: That's not a new species. It's still a pumpkin)."

Is it evolving or not?


55 posted on 11/29/2004 7:28:56 AM PST by lotusblos
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To: PatrickHenry
"Wrong. Science isn't a matter of votes -- or beliefs. It's a system of verifiable facts, an approach that must be preserved and fought for if American pupils are going to get the kind of education they need to complete in an increasingly global techno-economy."

Here is the lie, evolution is taught as fact not theory, and the lame excuse that man cannot have observed events that transpired over millions of years so therefore theory has the weight of fact is false from any direction. It is just as reasonable to assume, and far more likely given the recent admission that several forms of life sprang into being at the same time, that an intelligent designer was at work. For instance an artist creating a mural out of tiles does not stop to make one blue tile at a time, nor red. The same goes for DNA, why wouldn't an artist creating a master piece use the same tile in a cockroach as a human if the tile served the same function and produced the same needed result in both? That theory is more valid than evolution and should be taught in public schools.

56 posted on 11/29/2004 7:29:02 AM PST by MissAmericanPie
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To: RadioAstronomer

And what is 'evolution' besides a godless creation story? Evolution is not a theory, it barely qualifies as a hypothesis.

And that is being charitable.

Brian.


57 posted on 11/29/2004 7:29:35 AM PST by bzrd
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To: ColdSteelTalon

"Correct and macro evolution is not verifiable."


Nor is the existence of God, and thus, neither is "Intelligent Design"


58 posted on 11/29/2004 7:29:39 AM PST by Blzbba (Conservative Republican - Less gov't, less spending, less intrusion.)
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To: 1stFreedom
Unfortunatly the "bible alone" crowd has co-opted this phrase and by doing so have discredited an intelligent "intelligent design" theory

What's the difference in your distinction?

59 posted on 11/29/2004 7:32:03 AM PST by Woahhs (America is an idea, not an address.)
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To: 1stFreedom; All
Science is a system of facts, postulates, and hypothesis.

There is a difference between proven, verifiable facts and theory.

This ought to clear up some of the misconceptions you have about the scientific terms.

From an NSF abstract:

“As with all scientific knowledge, a theory can be refined or even replaced by an alternative theory in light of new and compelling evidence. The geocentric theory that the sun revolves around the earth was replaced by the heliocentric theory of the earth's rotation on its axis and revolution around the sun. However, ideas are not referred to as "theories" in science unless they are supported by bodies of evidence that make their subsequent abandonment very unlikely. When a theory is supported by as much evidence as evolution, it is held with a very high degree of confidence.

In science, the word "hypothesis" conveys the tentativeness inherent in the common use of the word "theory.' A hypothesis is a testable statement about the natural world. Through experiment and observation, hypotheses can be supported or rejected. At the earliest level of understanding, hypotheses can be used to construct more complex inferences and explanations. Like "theory," the word "fact" has a different meaning in science than it does in common usage. A scientific fact is an observation that has been confirmed over and over. However, observations are gathered by our senses, which can never be trusted entirely. Observations also can change with better technologies or with better ways of looking at data. For example, it was held as a scientific fact for many years that human cells have 24 pairs of chromosomes, until improved techniques of microscopy revealed that they actually have 23. Ironically, facts in science often are more susceptible to change than theories, which is one reason why the word "fact" is not much used in science.

Finally, "laws" in science are typically descriptions of how the physical world behaves under certain circumstances. For example, the laws of motion describe how objects move when subjected to certain forces. These laws can be very useful in supporting hypotheses and theories, but like all elements of science they can be altered with new information and observations.

Those who oppose the teaching of evolution often say that evolution should be taught as a "theory, not as a fact." This statement confuses the common use of these words with the scientific use. In science, theories do not turn into facts through the accumulation of evidence. Rather, theories are the end points of science. They are understandings that develop from extensive observation, experimentation, and creative reflection. They incorporate a large body of scientific facts, laws, tested hypotheses, and logical inferences. In this sense, evolution is one of the strongest and most useful scientific theories we have."

60 posted on 11/29/2004 7:33:20 AM PST by RadioAstronomer
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