Creation theory gets boost (Australia)

The Age (Melbourne) ^ | 18th November 2004 | Misha Schubert

[naturalman1975]

Schools should teach the biblical creation story alongside evolutionary theory, Family First chairman Peter Harris said yesterday.

While his fledgling party - arising out of the Assemblies of God church - had no formal policy on school curriculums, Mr Harris said his personal view was that children should be taught both perspectives.

Asked at the National Press Club in Canberra whether he supported both perspectives being taught, he said: "Of course we'd like to see a balanced approach to education, and... all options and all viewpoints, world viewpoints, should be put forward and people should be entitled to make their own decisions," he said.

Mr Harris said his party had raised $1.2 million in donations for the federal election, but had none from the United States, where the religious right has become a political force.

There was diverse support for Mr Harris' views on teaching creationism alongside evolution.

Australian National University anthropologist Alan Thorne said there was nothing wrong with putting both views to students.

"A balanced view is better than an extreme view in education," he said. "From a scientific perspective, it would be very silly indeed to claim God went around poking fossils into rocks, (but) the two can be quite compatible. There's no reasons why they can't address different aspects of our development."

Labor's federal education spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said: "All young people should have an understanding of a range of religious beliefs."

But acting Australian Education Union Victorian president Ann Taylor warned schools should distinguish between established scientific fact and philosophical or religious belief.

[Dimensio]

The effect of gravity can be observed even if it stills falls as a theory.

And the effect of natural selection and even speciation can be observed even if evolution theory falls.

On the other hand, ID and evolution, being about the beginning of the universe

Evolution says nothing about the beginning of the universe.

That you believe that it does say such a thing only demonstrates that you don't understand the theory enough to be qualified to speak on it.

both are equally philosophy and science.

How is scientific research regarding the origins of the universe "philosophy"?

In fact, the origins of evolution have as much to do with philosophy as they do science. God had to be killed for humanism to take hold.

Evolution says nothing regarding the existence or nonexistence of any gods. Only dishonest creationists (and a few crackpot scientists who overextend their area of expertise, like Richard Dawkins) make such claims.

You have the last word

Ah, running away like a coward because you don't want anyone pointing out where you've made factual errors (such as your false claim that evolution speaks of the beginnings of the universe).

It seems that there are two common types of creationist posters around here. Those who make inaccurate statements, then run away so that they don't have to face the refutation, and those who make inaccurate statements and continue to make them even after they are informed that they are wrong.

[Dimensio]

Or to put it another way, "evolution is a theory in crisis" is soooo 100 years ago.

More like 150 years ago, with "ancient earth is a theory in crisis" being popular before that.

[VadeRetro]

Besides that, the most firmly established "laws of nature" can most basically be termed as the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics. Neither support evolution. In fact, they contradict the process of evolution.

This is just stupid and just wrong. Evolution is no more disallowed by these laws of physics than was your own growth from a zygote.

[Dimensio]

What's with this sudden influx of appeals to the false thermodynamics argument? It's like a new pamphlet was released. I was recently referred to a TrueOrigin article on why thermodynamics makes evolution impossible (wherein they, among other things, falsely claimed that evolution covered the ultimate origins of life, demonstrating that they are wholly ignorant of the theory).

[IonImplantGuru]

Schools should teach the biblical creation story in the religious study classes. They should teach evolution in the science classes. And in the philosophy classes, they can then teach why the two accounts are mutually compatible.

Thank goodness, a rational man! Good luck on getting through to some pretty inflexible minds, though.

[VadeRetro]

I wonder how many of AnswersInGenesis(YEC site)'s "Arguments Creationists Should Not Use" have already been posted here?

[AndrewC]

Regardless, he doesn't really challenge the Theory of Evolution, but only some of its advocates.

You have not been here long enough to have seen evidence counter to your statement. He evidently is a challenge to the status quo because of the attacks on him. It is sufficient to observe the reactions of the evolutionists here and elsewhere to see that the theory has flaws in it that they seek to ignore.

[worldclass]

You are completely brainwashed. Frankly, I have been through this debate many times before and am bored of it. Each of your points can be refuted. You don't even have the capability to think through your own faith. And no facts or logic would change you anyway...I know for I have spoken with such as you.

The effect of evolution cannot be observed. That is its key fallacy. Everything is speculation from a very spotty record.

Believe as you well. Some day you will know the truth...dead or alive.

[PatrickHenry]

[Dimensio]

You are completely brainwashed. Frankly, I have been through this debate many times before and am bored of it. Each of your points can be refuted. You don't even have the capability to think through your own faith. And no facts or logic would change you anyway...I know for I have spoken with such as you.

Translation: "Waah! I don't like it when people who are smarter than me prove that I know nothing of evolution! I'm running away and calling you names!"

The effect of evolution cannot be observed.

Yes, it can. That you claim this indicates that you are either ignorant or you are lying.

[Right in Wisconsin]

I agree with Worldclass, I used to say "double stupid" in kindergarten!