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Prof Speaks at 'Intelligent Design' Trial
AP - Science ^ | 2005-10-17 | MARTHA RAFFAELE

Posted on 10/17/2005 8:46:30 AM PDT by Junior

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Evolutionary theory should be taught to science students, but it alone cannot explain complex biological phenomenon, said a biochemistry professor who is a leading advocate of "intelligent design."

Lehigh University Professor Michael Behe was the first witness called by a school board that is requiring students to hear a statement about the intelligent design concept in biology class. Lawyers for the Dover Area School Board began presenting their case Monday in the landmark federal trial, which could decide whether it can be mentioned in public school science classes as an alternative to the theory of evolution.

Behe, whose work includes a 1996 best-seller called "Darwin's Black Box," said students should be taught evolution because it's widely used in science and that "any well-educated student should understand it."

Behe, however, argues that evolution cannot fully explain the biological complexities of life, suggesting the work of an intelligent force.

The school board is defending its decision a year ago to require students to hear a statement on intelligent design before ninth-grade biology lessons on evolution. The statement says Charles Darwin's theory is "not a fact," has inexplicable "gaps," and refers students to a textbook, "Of Pandas and People," for more information.

Behe contributed to the 1993 edition of "Of Pandas and People," writing a section about blood-clotting. He told a federal judge Monday that in the book, he made a scientific argument that blood-clotting "is poorly explained by Darwinian processes but well explained by design."

Eight families sued to have intelligent design removed from the biology curriculum, contending the policy essentially promotes the Bible's view of creation and therefore violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

Mainstream scientists have rejected intelligent design as scientifically untested and contend that its supporters focus on attacking evolutionary theory rather than providing evidence for design.

Lehigh's biology department sought to distance itself from Behe in August, posting a statement on its Web site that says the faculty "are unequivocal in their support of evolutionary theory." He earned tenure at Lehigh before becoming a proponent, which lets him express his views without the threat of losing his job.

The trial began Sept. 26 and is expected to last up to five weeks.

The plaintiffs are represented by a team put together by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The school district is being represented by the Thomas More Law Center, a public-interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Mich., that says its mission is to defend the religious freedom of Christians.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: crevolist
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To: Right Wing Professor
Creationist moral courage.

Yes, oh brave one.

21 posted on 10/17/2005 10:46:28 AM PDT by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To: AndrewC

Hey, if being dissed by your peers is equivalent to being burned at the stake or threatened with physical torture, then the libs are right about Joe McCarthy.


22 posted on 10/17/2005 10:46:49 AM PDT by js1138 (Great is the power of steady misrepresentation.)
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To: js1138
Hey, if being dissed by your peers is equivalent to being burned at the stake

Yeah, right. Tell that to the Christians being killed right now. And as far as I know, no professor has been burned at the stake for preaching Darwin.

23 posted on 10/17/2005 10:49:34 AM PDT by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To facilitate rational discourse, please ignore all trolls

24 posted on 10/17/2005 10:50:45 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (No response to trolls, retards, or lunatics.)
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To: AndrewC
It's not so much being brave. It's that it's only a job, and to pretend to be other than one is, for 6 years, just to hang on to it, makes one a moral coward.
25 posted on 10/17/2005 10:50:49 AM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: js1138

dude. that ain't funny.


26 posted on 10/17/2005 10:52:37 AM PDT by King Prout ("La LAAAA La la la la... oh [bleep!] Gargamel has a FLAMETHROWEEEEEAAAAAAARRRRRGH!")
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To: Right Wing Professor
It's not so much being brave. It's that it's only a job, and to pretend to be other than one is, for 6 years, just to hang on to it, makes one a moral coward.

It also doesn't take much moral courage to assert knowledge of the intent and actions of another.(or call someone else a coward)

27 posted on 10/17/2005 10:53:19 AM PDT by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To: AndrewC
Yeah, right. Tell that to the Christians being killed right now.

But wait, we're constantly being reminded that ID is not a stealth attempt to introduce Christianity into the classroom. That deniability is the only thing that gives it the semblance of Constitutionality.

So which is it?

28 posted on 10/17/2005 10:54:16 AM PDT by highball ("I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." -- Thomas Jefferson)
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To: highball
But wait, we're constantly being reminded that ID is not a stealth attempt to introduce Christianity into the classroom.

Uhh, if you missed the point, it was to show real suffering for beliefs.

29 posted on 10/17/2005 10:55:24 AM PDT by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To: Junior
He told a federal judge Monday that in the book, he made a scientific argument that blood-clotting "is poorly explained by Darwinian processes but well explained by design."

I truly believe Behe has lost his mind.

30 posted on 10/17/2005 10:56:25 AM PDT by Rudder
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To: PatrickHenry

Yessir. I promise not to post any comments disputing the implication that secular humanists are behind terrorism these days.


31 posted on 10/17/2005 10:56:50 AM PDT by js1138 (Great is the power of steady misrepresentation.)
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To: AndrewC
It also doesn't take much moral courage to assert knowledge of the intent and actions of another.(or call someone else a coward)

No, it neither requires courage nor timidity. But I can look back on my time as an untenured professor, and not have to feel ashamed for keeping silent, because I was afraid that speaking out for what I thought was right would get me fired.

32 posted on 10/17/2005 10:58:43 AM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: js1138

You know what I mean ...


33 posted on 10/17/2005 10:58:50 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (No response to trolls, retards, or lunatics.)
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To: King Prout

Humor is just tragedy wearing a fright wig.


34 posted on 10/17/2005 11:01:10 AM PDT by js1138 (Great is the power of steady misrepresentation.)
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To: Rudder
I truly believe Behe has lost his mind.

It's been known to happen to folks who deny reality to cling to an untenable position.

35 posted on 10/17/2005 11:01:37 AM PDT by Junior (From now on, I'll stick to science, and leave the hunting alien mutants to the experts!)
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To: MHalblaub

Well, the theory of evolution is itself a theory of design. So is any scientific theory, because it presupposes an objective observer.


36 posted on 10/17/2005 11:03:36 AM PDT by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: Right Wing Professor
But I can look back on my time as an untenured professor, and not have to feel ashamed for keeping silent, because I was afraid that speaking out for what I thought was right would get me fired.

Great testimony oh brave one.

37 posted on 10/17/2005 11:03:38 AM PDT by AndrewC (Darwinian logic -- It is just-so if it is just-so)
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To: AndrewC
Great testimony oh brave one.

Thank you.

It occurs to me so many contemporary Christians want to be seen as martyrs, without of all the fuss and muss of actual martyrdom.

38 posted on 10/17/2005 11:06:34 AM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: Junior
Often followed by this behavior:


39 posted on 10/17/2005 11:06:52 AM PDT by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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To: PatrickHenry

"Attack of the Tractionless Trolls, Redux"


40 posted on 10/17/2005 11:06:53 AM PDT by longshadow
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