'Intelligent design' theory threatens science classrooms

Seattle Post Intelligencer ^ | 11/22/2002 | ALAN I. LESHNER

[Aric2000]

In Cobb County, Ga., controversy erupted this spring when school board officials decided to affix "disclaimer stickers" to science textbooks, alerting students that "evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things."

The stickers were the Cobb County District School Board's response to intelligent design theory, which holds that the complexity of DNA and the diversity of life forms on our planet and beyond can be explained only by an extra-natural intelligent agent. The ID movement -- reminiscent of creationism but more nuanced and harder to label -- has been quietly gaining momentum in a number of states for several years, especially Georgia and Ohio.

Stickers on textbooks are only the latest evidence of the ID movement's successes to date, though Cobb County officials did soften their position somewhat in September following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. In a subsequent policy statement, officials said the biological theory of evolution is a "disputed view" that must be "balanced" in the classroom, taking into account other, religious teachings.

Surely, few would begrudge ID advocates their views or the right to discuss the concept as part of religious studies. At issue, rather, is whether ID theory, so far unproven by scientific facts, should be served to students on the same platter with the well-supported theory of evolution.

How the Cobb County episode will affect science students remains uncertain since, as the National Center for Science Education noted, the amended policy statement included "mixed signals."

But it's clear that the ID movement is quickly emerging as one of the more significant threats to U.S. science education, fueled by a sophisticated marketing campaign based on a three-pronged penetration of the scientific community, educators and the general public.

In Ohio, the state's education board on Oct. 14 passed a unanimous though preliminary vote to keep ID theory out of the state's science classrooms. But the board's ruling left the door open for local school districts to present ID theory together with science and suggested that scientists should "continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory."

In fact, even while the state-level debate continued, the Patrick Henry Local School District, based in Columbus, passed a motion this June to support "the idea of intelligent design being included as appropriate in classroom discussions in addition to other scientific theories."

Undaunted by tens of thousands of e-mails it has already received on the topic, the state's education board is now gamely inviting further public comment through November. In December, Ohio's Board of Education will vote to conclusively determine whether alternatives to evolution should be included in new guidelines that spell out what students need to know about science at different grade levels.

Meanwhile, ID theorists reportedly have been active in Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico, New Jersey and other states as well as Ohio and Georgia.

What do scientists think of all this? We have great problems with the claim that ID is a scientific theory or a science-based alternative to evolutionary theory. We don't question its religious or philosophical underpinnings. That's not our business. But there is no scientific evidence underlying ID theory.

No relevant research has been done; no papers have been published in scientific journals. Because it has no science base, we believe that ID theory should be excluded from science curricula in schools.

In fact, the Board of Directors of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest general scientific society in the world, passed a resolution this month urging policy-makers to keep intelligent design theory out of U.S. science classrooms.

Noting that the United States has promised to "leave no child behind," the AAAS Board found that intelligent design theory -- if presented within science courses as factually based -- is likely to confuse American schoolchildren and undermine the integrity of U.S. science education. At a time when standards-based learning and performance assessments are paramount, children would be better served by keeping scientific information separate from religious concepts.

Certainly, American society supports and encourages a broad range of viewpoints and the scientific community is no exception. While this diversity enriches the educational experience for students, science and conceptual belief systems should not be co-mingled, as ID proponents have repeatedly proposed.

The ID argument that random mutations in nature and natural selection, for example, are too complex for scientific explanation is an interesting -- and for some, highly compelling -- philosophical or theological concept. Unfortunately, it's being put forth as a scientifically based alternative to the theory of biological evolution, and it isn't based on science. In sum, there's no data to back it up, and no way of scientifically testing the validity of the ideas proposed by ID advocates.

The quality of U.S. science education is at stake here. We live in an era when science and technology are central to every issue facing our society -- individual and national security, health care, economic prosperity, employment opportunities.

Children who lack an appropriate grounding in science and mathematics, and who can't discriminate what is and isn't evidence, are doomed to lag behind their well-educated counterparts. America's science classrooms are certainly no place to mix church and state.

Alan I. Leshner is CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of the journal Science; www.aaas.org

[f.Christian]

You know nothing about science or the bible ... just tacky rants !

It seemed that indeed the truth would be 'forever on the scaffold, and wrong forever on the throne'. With great eagerness he listened to the query, 'How long shall be the vision?'(Daniel 8:13)."
Daniel and the Coming King

Chapter 16

The Gospel In Daniel 9:24

By Dr.Desmond Ford

"It would be tragic if we contented ourselves with an analytical examination of this passage of Scripture. It is not merely a scintillating gem to be admired, but the bread of life to be eaten. It consists of 'the everlasting gospel' in minature."

"That which should concern us all the more than the issues of hermeneutics is the issue of life---our life. Not minutiae of prophetic interpretation, but sin, sorrow, and death constitute our problems. Daniel 9:24 assures us that the world is a ship and not an iceberg, that God is intensely interested in our dilemma, and, best of all, that He has done something to extricate us from the apparent cul-de-sac of existence. In Christ, the Melchizedekan King-Priest, He has brought in everlasting righteousness, freely offered to all who believe."

Chapter 14

Daniel and the Coming King---Daniel 9

By Dr.Desmond Ford

"Sir Isaac Newton, the greatest of scientists prior to the modern period, wrote a commentary upon the prohecies of Daniel and Revelations. He desribed Daniel 9:24-27 as "the foudation-stone of the Christian religion" because centuries in advance it gave the time of appearance of the Messiah and His death, as well as a comprehensive description of His saving work in heaven and earth. The prophecy likewise tells what would be the fate of the Jews consequent upon their rejection of the One whose coming they had long anticpated. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, foretold in Daniel 9:24-27, was history's testimony that the offerings and services of the sanctuary had met their fulfillment in the advent of the promised Messiah."

Newton, Isaac. Observsations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalpse of St. John. London: J. Darby and T. Browne, 1733 (Isaac Newton)

Chrystalk ...

"All of this while the book itself says it is sealed up, and never will be understood ... until the End of Days --- which we are living in ... "

Chapter 14

Daniel and the Coming King---Daniel 9

by Dr.Desmond Ford @ ... GNU (( link )).

Seal Up the Vision

"The expression 'to seal up the vision' (v.24) should be considered. This expression, 'the vision', occurs eleven times in Daniel 8:1 to 10:1, and in all these cases it refers to the vision described in the eighth chapter of Daniel. The reader is advised to read again the entire passage. In pictorial, symbolic form the prophet was shown the unfolding of all future centuries till the second advent of Christ. The famous empires, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, which long oppressed the people of God, are described; but particular emphasis is given to the persecution of the church during the Christian era and also to the supremacy of the couterfeit, apostate religion over most of that period. Christ's mediatorial ministry in heaven is alluded to, but its eclipse from men's mind through a counterfeit system is fortold. The sanctuary mentioned refers both to the church temple indwelt by the Holy Spirit on earth, as well as Israel's typical sanctuary. No doubt Daniel was dazed by this revelation of the apparent triumph of evil. In his lifetime he had witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem's temple, the center of true religion, and the carrying into captivity of the people of God by an idolatrous and desolating nation. Now in vision he is informed that this state of affairs is to continue on a much greater scale throughout most of the earth's history. It seemed that indeed the truth would be 'forever on the scaffold, and wrong forever on the throne'. With great eagerness he listened to the query, 'How long shall be the vision?'(Daniel 8:13)."

"Now in the revelation of 9:24-27 the mourning seer is told that there is a greater Prince of the house of Judah, a greater atonement, a greater sanctuary, and a greater redemption than any ever before experienced by Israel. The long-awaited Messiah, the Prince, a Priest-King, will take away the sin of the world and end earth's dark night. Thus 9:24 and 8:14 point to the same reality---the kingdom of God ignaugurated at the first advent and consummated at the second."

[goodseedhomeschool]

I don't think science is a threat to the bible in any way. I think evolution is the greatest threat to Christianity so far. I have always loved science but I have never seen how evolution should be included in science. See, I think God created a fully mature world. I think all the different animals and plants we see today are variations of the original created animals and plants. I know I am speaking in simple terms here, but bear with me. The taco bell dog I doubt was an original created pup. That dog could not survive in the wild and would die out pretty quick. I think God made an original dog, albeit I have no idea what it looked like. I think he made a pair in fact, and all the dogs we see today came from the first 2. The same goes for other kinds of animals. I call this variation of kinds. This is provable. I can never believe though that a lizard laid an egg and popped out a bird. There are just too many differences there and no transitional forms to back it. I wish evolutionists would not think that creationist do not like science that is just not true at all.

[Aric2000]

No, literalist, fundamentalist Christianity is a threat and always has been, other forms are not at all dangerous, they keep their followers in line very well.

They have a moral base, but yet keep to themselves and don't fight that which has nothing to do with religion.

Science stays out of religious questions for that very reason, they cannot fight religion with science, and they know it.

Just as religion cannot fight science with religion, too bad that literalist, fundamentalist Christians don't know it.

They are two different things.

Religion is based on faith, science is based on verifiable scientific evidence.

[happydogdesign]

     

[Steel Eye]

>>> Scientists use the word "observation" rather than "fact."

You're kidding. An observation can be so subjective. Even more so than a theory or a fact. An observation is sort of a second cousin to an opinion, is it not? And we both know you can't have an opinion without having some degree of faith in it.

I was hoping this was just semantics. It seems to be a much bigger problem. We are teetering on the edge of mysticism here.

[goodseedhomeschool]

Take evolution out of science and we all get along. Add evolution and it becomes religion automatically. Yes, Christianity will always be a threat to evolution as it should be.

[JesseShurun]

Religion is based on faith, science is based on verifiable scientific evidence.

LOL. You've never met too many scientists I take it. Evolution is faith-based, counting on their god, man, to prove it.

From your posts, I see that you are a gnostic, just another word for a pagan

[f.Christian]

Evo tyranny --- INQUISITION !

I was watching on O'Reilly about the conservative teacher ... Miller --- who wrote a book on game theory ---why the Smith University faculty won't give him tenure because basically the mind sets of liberals are opposite of conservatism !

Rev.13

[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
[5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

[6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name ((Creator )), and his tabernacle (( creation )) , and them that dwell in heaven.


[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.
[10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb (( republic )), and he spake as a dragon (( nazi )).

[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship (( inquisition )) the first beast, whose deadly wound (( religious tyranny // reformation )) was healed.

[13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (( 666 )) !

[happydogdesign]

Hilarious! Some guy in a cave rants about crazy stuff, and millions of people are afraid of a 3 digit number!

[JesseShurun]

666, mentioned once in the OT, find it, explain it and win a ticket to Armegeddon

[Aric2000]

Well, you see, that is where we part company.

Evolution is science, has been for over 125 years, and will be with us a good long time more.

There is FAR too much evidence that backs it up, and far too many ways that it can and should have been falsified if it were not true.

Lack of transitionals, no, sorry, there are plenty of transitionals, lizard laying a bird? Would DISPROVE evolution, right now, no if's and's or but's.

I can NEVER understand why christians want to put god in a box, why would god tell a man 5000 years ago how he made the world? and HOW could he?

Well, you see here, I created this GRAND universe, and then decided that this would be a good spot in this particular galaxy to create a planet, then you know, I set up a really neat experiment, I seeded this ocean with some of the simplest life forms that I could come up with, then I let them loose, gave them tests to see how they would survive and diversify, and finally I ended up with a creature that calls itself man that started asking me all kinds of questions. So I gave the scribe the easiest and most comprehensive way that he could understand at the time.

Why couldn't have god have done that?

Why could he not have set it ALL in motion, and then sat back until a creature came about that actaully asked about him?

Why would he HAVE to do it the way he described to some man 5000 years ago? The guy would NOT have had a clue.

OK, so OK God, so you created this DNA molecule, and set it up so that it would not recreate perfectly, then did all this other biological stuff that I haven't a clue about, oh, no please go on......

Yo, god, by the way, what's DNA?

[f.Christian]

To: f.Christian

Dakmar...

I took a few minutes to decipher that post, and I must say I agree with a lot of what you said.

fC...

These were the Classical liberals...founding fathers-PRINCIPLES---stable/SANE scientific reality/society---industrial progress...moral/social character-values(private/personal) GROWTH(limited NON-intrusive PC Govt/religion---schools)!

Dakmar...

Where you and I diverge is on the Evolution/Communism thing. You seem to view Darwin and evolution as the beginning of the end for enlighted, moral civilization, while I think Marx, class struggle, and the "dictatorship of the proletariat" are the true dangers.

God bless you, I think we both have a common enemy in the BRAVE-NWO.

452 posted on 9/7/02 8:54 PM Pacific by Dakmar

[goodseedhomeschool]

Some "guy in a cave"??? What are you talking about? John was on the Isle of Patmos. That number may seem silly to you for now, but one day it may not. Just a thought.

[Aric2000]

You are just too funny, you just KEEP striking out.

Sorry, you will never guess, and I am never going to tell you, so give it up.

[JesseShurun]

none of them know what they're talking about when it comes to the Bible, but that doesn't stop them from expounding on it to us

[Aric2000]

Poor Jessie, did I hit a soft spot?

[JesseShurun]

what's to guess? I was just having some fun with you, but you are gnostic and there's only one of you

[JesseShurun]

my head is soft in places but I was commenting on happydog thinking John lived in a cave and ranted

[goodseedhomeschool]

I have never ever seen a lizard lay a birds egg and I doubt I ever will. If evolution were real science it would have been with us a lot longer than 125 years to be sure. I have never seen even one transitional form yet. I have seen a feww skeletons of a bird called archeoptrix ( I know I spelled that wrong), but I think it is an extinct bird. I know the dodo bird is also extinct too. The dinos are extinct too at least as far as I know they are. Because a creature once lived and is now extinct does not prove it somehow is a transitional form though Birds and lizards and humans all have keratin. I would wager it is because they all have a common designer.

[happydogdesign]

He was pretty wacky, where ever he hung out- the true Number of the Beast is 1040!