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Frist backs 'intelligent design' teaching
AP ^ | 8/19/5 | ROSE FRENCH

Posted on 08/19/2005 1:02:07 PM PDT by SmithL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Echoing similar comments from President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said "intelligent design" should be taught in public schools alongside evolution.

Frist, R-Tenn., spoke to a Rotary Club meeting Friday and told reporters afterward that students need to be exposed to different ideas, including intelligent design.

"I think today a pluralistic society should have access to a broad range of fact, of science, including faith," Frist said.

Frist, a doctor who graduated from Harvard Medical School, said exposing children to both evolution and intelligent design "doesn't force any particular theory on anyone. I think in a pluralistic society that is the fairest way to go about education and training people for the future."

The theory of intelligent design says life on earth is too complex to have developed through evolution, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation. Nearly all scientists dismiss it as a scientific theory, and critics say it's nothing more than religion masquerading as science.

Bush recently told a group of Texas reporters that intelligent design and evolution should both be taught in schools "so people can understand what the debate is about."

That comment sparked criticism from opponents, including Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, who called Bush "anti-science."

Frist, who is considering a presidential campaign in 2008, recently angered some conservatives by bucking Bush policy on embryonic stem cell research, voicing his support for expanded research on the subject.

Frist said his decision to endorse stem cell research was "a matter of science," but he said there was no conflict between his position on stem cell research and his position on intelligent design.

"To me, I see no disconnect between that and stem cell research," Frist said. "I base my beliefs on stem cell research both on science and my faith.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; anothercrevothread; crevolist; enoughalready; frist; intelligentdesign; notagain; panderingtoignorance; scienceeducation; senatorfrist
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To: lemura
Actually, ID isn't limited to biology; it can apply to any physical science. For example, ID in 1890 would have concluded that since flying is too complex, birds must have been created.

When some saw airplanes first fly, they concluded that it was impossible unless angels were holding the planes up.

161 posted on 08/19/2005 3:35:08 PM PDT by WildTurkey (When will CBS Retract and Apologize?)
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To: DaGman
I really don't thing most of the ID gurus really believe it either. Can you say $$$$$$
162 posted on 08/19/2005 3:36:26 PM PDT by WildTurkey (When will CBS Retract and Apologize?)
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To: Once-Ler
Speaking as one of the majority of Americans who believe religion can be a powerful force for a healthy society, I think that refusing to allow faith any control over aspects of the society is 'antagonism.'

Then that would make you, by definition, a theocrat.

It is good to see the political trend moving towards faith friendly government.

Here, and in Iraq too!

163 posted on 08/19/2005 3:36:55 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor (Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory - John Marburger, science advisor to George W. Bush)
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To: All

Oh, I SEE.

Folks stated that Frist was selling out on embryonic research to pander for the votes of the 2/3rds stated in favor. They were slammed by folks that, rightly, pointed out he actually believed in embryonic research.

But here we have Frist stating intelligent design should be taught, and the roles are reversed. Suddenly it's all pandering by Frist, he doesn't believe in this position.

Please.

Do I think he may be trying to make up for the fiasco of his announcement in favor of embryonic research? Absolutely I believe politics is in play. But I NEVER stated his position on embryonic stem cells was one he didn't believe in, and anyone advancing that argument in re: to ID had better find statements from Frist proving him a liar or admit they are, infact, the ones trying to impugn his character because they don't like the fact on THIS issue Frist disagrees with them.


164 posted on 08/19/2005 3:37:56 PM PDT by Soul Seeker
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To: Doctor Stochastic

I wonder what Isaac would make of complementarity?


165 posted on 08/19/2005 3:38:30 PM PDT by js1138 (Science has it all: the fun of being still, paying attention, writing down numbers...)
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To: Right Wing Professor
It is good to see the political trend moving towards faith friendly government. Here, and in Iraq too!

Not to mention Iran.
166 posted on 08/19/2005 3:38:41 PM PDT by AdmSmith
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To: Borges
Exactly what 'influence' do you think faith should have in employment and goverment

Just download this article , do a global find/replace of Allah with Jesus, and you've got the idea.

167 posted on 08/19/2005 3:40:13 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor (Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory - John Marburger, science advisor to George W. Bush)
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To: RightWingAtheist
It doesn't reflect well on the rest of the party either. What's really scary is that people are now going to start taking Dean's comments about Bush (and by implication, all other Republicans) being "anti-science" seriously, instead of being another of his moonbat ravings.

You might appreciate this characterization ...


168 posted on 08/19/2005 3:41:35 PM PDT by WildTurkey (When will CBS Retract and Apologize?)
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To: Right Wing Professor
it's back to the Libertarian Party for me.

Drug and alchol legalization for minors
Abortion on demand
Open borders
Same-sex / any-sex / any-relationship / any-age marriage

hmmmm

169 posted on 08/19/2005 3:48:00 PM PDT by WildTurkey (When will CBS Retract and Apologize?)
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To: SmithL

bttt for later read.


170 posted on 08/19/2005 3:51:16 PM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
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To: DeweyCA

"Yes, Gould looked at the fossil record and saw NO good evidence of macro-evolution (especially with the Cambrian explosion). Again, why did he come to that conclusion?"

You ask this question as though a question of how someone formed their beliefs has anything to do with the underlying science.


171 posted on 08/19/2005 3:51:19 PM PDT by Moral Hazard ("Now therefore kill every male among the little ones" - Numbers 31:17)
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To: Borges
The power of positive thinking? A truly new and radical scientific discovery! /sarc

You asked about scientific studies of prayer, so I provided some examples

It appears that you are now saying that those aren't scientific studies of prayer, but are studies of positive thinking.

The folks at DukeMed don't seem squeamish about using the word "prayer" in the titles of their press releases about their studies of prayer.

DukeMedNews: Prayer, Noetic Studies Feasible; Results Indicate Benefit to Heart Patient

And

DukeMedNews: Results of First Multicenter Trial of Intercessory Prayer, Healing Touch in Heart Patients

172 posted on 08/19/2005 3:51:39 PM PDT by syriacus (You are shouting so loudly that I can't "hear" you.)
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To: Borges
Exactly what 'influence' do you think faith should have in employment and goverment?

Personally I'd like to see protections for employers who would rather employ workers who have been taught values like thou shall not steal or lie, and more reliance on faith charities to help solve problems like drug addiction and poverty are a step in the right direction. Ultimately that is for the people to decide, but I think legislation protecting the rights of Boy Scouts to meet in school is a step in the right direction.

173 posted on 08/19/2005 3:52:56 PM PDT by Once-Ler (16 months til Byrd is ousted from office, and Kennedy ain't getin younger)
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To: syriacus

I'm perfectly willing to use the term prayer instead of 'positive thinking' but the end result is the same.


174 posted on 08/19/2005 3:54:21 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Once-Ler

Employers are currently free to fire employees who steal or lie. Anyone who wants to rely on a faith based charity is free to do so.


175 posted on 08/19/2005 3:55:49 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Right Wing Professor
It is good to see the political trend moving towards faith friendly government.

Here, and in Iraq too!

Anything can be used for evil purposes. Consider what Joseph Mengela did with science.

176 posted on 08/19/2005 3:56:34 PM PDT by Once-Ler (16 months til Byrd is ousted from office, and Kennedy ain't getin younger)
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To: Borges
Employers are currently free to fire employees who steal or lie.

I'd like to give employers the right to act before they hire a deficient worker.

Anyone who wants to rely on a faith based charity is free to do so.

I think government and faith based charities can do more if they share resources and knowledge.

177 posted on 08/19/2005 4:02:15 PM PDT by Once-Ler (16 months til Byrd is ousted from office, and Kennedy ain't getin younger)
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To: WildTurkey
It's a question whether that's worse than

massive pork-barrel spending
embrace of racial preferences
implementation of theocracy
hostility to science
As as for open borders, in what respect is the GOP any different from the LP?

178 posted on 08/19/2005 4:03:27 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor (Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory - John Marburger, science advisor to George W. Bush)
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To: Once-Ler
I'd like to give employers the right to act before they hire a deficient worker.

They currently have that right. Depending on the state anyway. As for faith based charities subsidized by goverment it sounds good on paper but opens a can of worms. Remember all those Islamic charities we've been shutting down?
179 posted on 08/19/2005 4:04:21 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Once-Ler
Personally I'd like to see protections for employers who would rather employ workers who have been taught values like thou shall not steal or lie

Any evidence for the contention that Christians are less likely to steal or lie than anyone else?

180 posted on 08/19/2005 4:04:37 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor (Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory - John Marburger, science advisor to George W. Bush)
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