Posted on 08/02/2005 4:16:26 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
President Bush waded into the debate over evolution and "intelligent design" Monday, saying schools should teach both theories on the creation and complexity of life.
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Bush essentially endorsed efforts by Christian conservatives to give intelligent design equal standing with the theory of evolution in the nation's schools.
Bush declined to state his personal views on "intelligent design," the belief that life forms are so complex that their creation cannot be explained by Darwinian evolutionary theory alone, but rather points to intentional creation, presumably divine.
The theory of evolution, first articulated by British naturalist Charles Darwin in 1859, is based on the idea that life organisms developed over time through random mutations and factors in nature that favored certain traits that helped species survive.
Scientists concede that evolution does not answer every question about the creation of life, and most consider intelligent design an attempt to inject religion into science courses.
Bush compared the current debate to earlier disputes over "creationism," a related view that adheres more closely to biblical explanations. While he was governor of Texas, Bush said students should be exposed to both creationism and evolution.
On Monday, the president said he favors the same approach for intelligent design "so people can understand what the debate is about."
The Kansas Board of Education is considering changes to encourage the teaching of intelligent design in Kansas schools, and some are pushing for similar changes across the country.
"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas. The answer is 'yes.'"
The National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science both have concluded there is no scientific basis for intelligent design and oppose its inclusion in school science classes. [Note from PH: links relevant to those organizations and their positions on ID are added by me at the end of this article.]
Some scientists have declined to join the debate, fearing that amplifying the discussion only gives intelligent design more legitimacy.
Advocates of intelligent design also claim support from scientists. The Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank in Seattle that is the leading proponent for intelligent design, said it has compiled a list of more than 400 scientists, including 70 biologists, who are skeptical about evolution.
"The fact is that a significant number of scientists are extremely skeptical that Darwinian evolution can explain the origins of life," said John West, associate director of the organization's Center for Science and Culture.
I hate it when he throws bones to the fundies. Thumbs down on this one, Mr. Bush. ~ DGray
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These aren't bones, DGray
You concider your self intelligent is that not true?
And do you not prefer Order over Chaos?
Therefore your Ancestors DNA have begat this Intelligence from its original source?
If you want to continue to be disingenuous you can claim it is the fundies (I guess that fundamentalist)as root caused of this debate but are you not trying to NULLIFY this topic on Intelligent with a buzz word?
No matter where you go Like begats Like!
So far as I have observed evolution can only take place when the genitic are altered or a corrupt enviorment caused mutation!
The true progress is done by an intelligent source who had a desire and designed it, laid it out, in a blue print, and than proceed to manifest it in the physical.
So is not the REAL issue Design Universe vs.Chance Universe?
One is done by Intelligents, the other is by Accident!
One is of Order, the other is the Product of Chaos!
Because of design, there is witness skills which are procduced wtih precision and manifest a stablitiy and a matrix in which the foundation rest.
Intellignet is able to understand a blue print, mathmatics, and symbols to either to reproduce in the Physical or Create a new it is like the foundation of Classical Music and Jazz or Rap and Hip Hop!
One create and builds the other reeks havoc and destroys!
The unintelligent manesfest chaos, whims, instability and freak of nature etc.
show-off
some of us are at work - that don't count
Stunning; just stunning.
Wow. What you have written is truly ... special. Yes. Special - that's the best word for it.
What he said.
TThhhhppppt.
Did you understand any of it? It gave me a headache.
When I said "special" I should have added "in the sense of 'special education'"! :D
Thats ok insult me, make fun, but don't approach the the topic of.......
"Intelligent Design"
So you just all of a sudden Appeared here on planet earth...
droped from the sky....
zero of original DNA source!
Good point.
:-)
Duh, ..duh, duh,duh duh....
""Intelligent Design"
The slithy toves
Did gyre and gimbal in the wabe.
You are living proof when as you continue to belittle or deny the "Intelligent Designer's Work" so does your humanity diminished!
I wager you know nothing about the ToE nor ID.
For your information ID claims that your God may not be the designer. They are also quite comfortable with a 14 byo universe and a 4.5 byo Earth. Are you?
Jesus H. Monty-Christo on a cracker, do you actually claim to speak English?
I was one of the first to post an ID thread years ago
The theory of Evo I am familar with.
I would like to know what your definition of 14 byo universe and a 4.5 byo Earth?
Jesus H. Monty-Christo on a cracker, do you actually claim to speak English?
****
Just because my deficiency are in the written word does not diminish my ability to think, this only seems to reveal your limited knowledge of the Universe you live in when you can't recognized dyslexia, which even many brilliant scientist and thinkers in the world were afflicted with!
Define?
OK!
14 byo universe is defined as a 14,000,000,000 year old universe.
4.5 byo Earth is defined as a 4,500,000,000 year old Earth.
I assume English is not your first language so I will make allowances for your grammar
***
OM how big of you!
In that case then slow down, focus and communicate your ideas to us. It is very difficult to pull meaning out of your posts when they are slapped together as quickly as you've done. If you have good ideas, do what you can to get them across.
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