Posted on 10/07/2001 2:22:11 AM PDT by dbbeebs
pr99 9/17/2001 - Press Release: Creationists Wrong Again
CREATIONISTS WRONG AGAIN
Once again, the creationists have blundered when it comes to science, this time presenting misinformation about the universality of the genetic code.
The latest creationist attack on the public understanding of science comes in connection with a new 8-hour PBS series that will greatly expand the public’s understanding of a fundamental scientific theory, evolution. Two years in the making, Evolution, produced by WGBH-Boston and Clear Blue Sky Productions, will be shown nationwide on the PBS network on four consecutive nights beginning September 24, for two hours each evening.
“Although virtually every reputable scientist in the world agrees that evolution is good science,” said Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, “some people still refuse to accept it, mainly because they regard it as incompatible with their religious beliefs. So it is no surprise that there is a creationist backlash against the PBS series.”
The first example of bad science came from the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture, the creationist arm of the Discovery Institute, a policy organization based in Seattle, Washington. On September 10, the CRSC distributed their PBS Press Release #1, quoting two of their Discovery Institute Senior Fellows, biochemist Michael Behe and biologist Jonathan Wells.
Behe stated that, "The supposed 'fact' of the universal genetic code is based on outdated science that has been invalidated by more recent research.”
Added Wells, "Back in the early 1970s, evolutionary biologists did think that a given piece of DNA specified the same protein subunit in every living thing, and that the genetic code was thus universal. This was unlikely to have happened by chance, so it was interpreted as evidence that every organism had inherited its genetic code from a single common ancestor. In 1979, however, exceptions to the code were found in mitochondria, the tiny energy factories inside cells. Biologists subsequently found exceptions in bacteria and in the nuclei of algae and single-celled animals. It is now clear that the genetic code is not the same in all living things, and that it does not provide 'powerful evidence' that all living things 'evolved on a single tree of life.'"
Reports of the demise of this particular piece of evidence for evolution, however, are premature. James Hanken, Professor of Zoology and Curator in Herpetology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, told NCSE that the claims of Behe and Wells that the genetic code does not provide evidence for the tree of life were “so bizarre as to be almost beyond belief,” and added that they “fly in the face of well established and accepted facts."
The reason? As explained by Dr. Norman Pace, Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado and member of the National Academy of Sciences:
A few of the 64 code-words can occur as slight variants in a very few organisms. Those exceptions, however, are known to have derived from organisms that had the standard code. Thus, the code is historically universal. Even in those organisms with the occasional exceptional code-word, the rest of the code is the same as in all other organisms. More important, even, is the fact that the complex machine that interprets the code and carries out protein synthesis, the ribosome, is fundamentally the same in all life forms. The common heritage of all life on Earth is proven beyond doubt [emphasis added].As if the CRSC’s misinformation were not enough, the Florence, Kentucky young-earth creationist organization, Answers in Genesis, promises to post daily responses to each program on their web site. The responses will be written by AIG staffer Jonathan Sarfati, who in his book Refuting Evolution claims that there is strong scientific evidence for Noah’s Ark and that geological evidence indicates that the earth is only a few thousand years old.
One week from now: Wonder what the Taliban thought about Evolution.
Seems to me that those who espouse evolution are nothing more than rebellious towards God and are proof that man is in essence predisposed to evil thoughts and deeds.
You should take your place among the Taliban.
And creationism is one thing....young-earth creationism is another....it's impossible for any intelligent, rational, unbiased person to discuss young-earth creationism without ridiculing it. The only way to be a young-earth creationist is to be a liar.
And evolution doesn't say one thing about who or what created the universe. No reason why it couldn't be God.
You forgot to mention that the working definition of "reputable scientist" is "one who is an evolutionist".
Since evolution is correct, that is true by necessity.
Harsh words! I could just as easily say that evolutionists are fools...but, instead I will submit this:
Evolutionists lack one critical piece to their equation...it is often referred to as the missing link. Without the transitional species their beliefs rely on faith.
Creationists accept their beliefs on faith as well. My rulebook says my faith comes from God...it isn't too difficult for me to choose my faith over that of the evolutionists.
"You should take your place among the Taliban" What a sorry statement that is. Comparing those who believe in creation to the cruel, evil, and terrorist Taliban regime. By this you show your ignorance and your intolerance. If a Christian disagrees with your views you compare them with evil. You sound just like a liberal who compares a conservative with Hitler. Why are you on this forum? This is my first post and I thought it was for reasonable and intelligent conservatives. You sir are neither.
There are a few of those on this board, who have the "pretense" of conservatism (in politics) and yet do not know where the foundations of this country came from. These same individuals who criticize you would have criticized the majority of the founding fathers and would never let them do -- today -- what they did in forming this country back then.
You'll see that these few on Free Republic that do this are comparable to the ACLU in the following FReeper article
ACLU Says "God Bless America" Unconstitutional in School
It's obvious that the few atheists and agnostics and pagans who happen to inhabit this board (and in this country), being a minority in this country (in belief of God and His involvement in this world) wish to trick and intimidate others into either apologizing for the truth of the Word of God or into total and complete silence.
There are no apologies needed. And the ones who will be put into total silence will be those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior as they face the Great White Throne Judgement (we see at the end of Revelation).
Don't quit your posting and make no apologies. Keep with the word of God. Make known the truth of God. Keep at it.
Glad to hear that you're a "homeschoolpop" -- the last bastion of "true education" left in this country. :-) :-)
Harsh words! I could just as easily say that evolutionists are fools...but, instead I will submit this:
BUT..., they are fools. The Apostle Paul knew it and he said so. Listen to him. Mince no words towards fools -- and these are certainly fools. Those who refuse to listen to God suffer in their own ignorance. Don't let their ignorance infect you with timid nature. God is the one who made it all and has designed and controls every single law of nature. He is not limited by any of those laws that He has made and God interacts regularly with His creation. It's by the word of His power that he maintains that creation to this day.
Romans 1:16-32
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for
it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just
shall live by faith."
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in
them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not
glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became
futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts
were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God
into an image made like corruptible man--and birds
and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness,
in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their
bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and
worshiped and served the creature rather than the
Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile
passions. For even their women exchanged the natural
use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of
the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men
with men committing what is shameful, and receiving
in themselves the penalty of their error which was
due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in
their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased
mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual
immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,
unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that
those who practice such things are deserving of
death, not only do the same but also approve of
those who practice them.
We see who these FOOLS really are -- those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
I distinctly recall, in my '83 high school biology class, the text book stating "there are two theories of how life was formed". It then went on to give two sentences about creation, then immediately went into evolution theory.
I'm hearing more and more now from evolutionists, that evolution doesn't claim to know how life was formed. IMHO, that is because they realized they couldn't answer that question, so they branched it. Could it also be because many scientists who studied evolution became "believers"? Of course, those that did, are no longer in the "loop" are they? They were only legitimate when they were evolution "believers".
You would ruthlessly ridicule any creationist who used your reasoning, and you would be right in doing so, because your reasoning is so silly.
For the record...I am far from timid...but, I hate wasting my time trying to argue with those who are spiritually blind...preferring instead to comment and watch the replies.
Thanks for the scripture quotes that tell it like it really is!
It wasn't predictive, it was descriptive. If X is true, reputable people expouse X and disreputeable people deny X. That is a logically sound description. Whether you like it or not.
Evolution is correct. Therefore reputable scientists believe in evolution.
And X is true if you assert it forcefully enough, because you are a reputable scientist, because you are an evolutionist, and evolution is true. Got it.
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