bttt
Posted Mar 30th, 2006 at 10:47 pm in Evolution, Intelligent Design
Late to the party as usual, I came across a thread from a couple of weeks ago on The Loom where Randy “Flock of Dodos” Olson gave more of his thoughts on communicating evolution to the public. Olson also chimed in on the comments, which in the great tradition of the internet, turned heated and passionate as people argued for the best course of action.
I’ll throw in my two cents, even though that’s not really why I’m writing…
What Olson is getting at is the main reason people reject evolution they think it conflicts with their faith, and they think the soul purpose of evolutionary biologists is to attack their faith. Olson comments on who he thinks is a great messenger of science to the general public.
"Right now, I am putting all my chips on Dr. Steve Case, head of the Kansas Writing Committee. He’s got a great combination of elements well humored, nice guy, very articulate, very humble, and best of all, very patient. There might be better spokespersons out there, but what I know so far is that all neutral folks (neither rabidly pro-evolution nor pro-intelligent design) cite him as their favorite character in my film. The bit that he delivers about “the God of the gaps” concept and how it leads to the predicament that the more we learn the smaller God gets, which we illustrated with a brick wall graphic, is I think the most profound summary to date of the flawed logic of intelligent design. At our test screening you could hear people in the audience say a hushed, “oh my goodness,” as they got his point." ~
That’s what a lot of this nasty debate is all about. How do you frame the issue. I continue to be a firm believer that it’s not better science education we necessarily need (though we certainly do), but rather it’s a better way to talk to people about the two. If you can’t address the religious aspects with the people who are most concerned about that, you can teach evolution effectively all day long and it won’t matter.
What Really Caught My Eye
Earlier in the same comment, Olson told some information (dare I say gossip?) that I’d not heard before.
"I’ve been contacted now by a major Hollywood production company who is in casting for a movie titled, “Monkey Trial,” which is going to be a re-telling of “Inherit the Wind,” from the pro-I.D. perspective, to be directed by Mel Gibson’s producing partner who was involved with a little movie called, “Passion of the Christ,” so brace yourselves evolutionists." ~
Sounds lovely. If you thought the 30 minute flogging of Jesus was a little too violent, just imagine what they’ll do to Clarence Darrow." ~ bttt quote