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A Spoonful of Jesus Helps Darwin Go Down (What the Evos really think of Christian compromise)
WEIT ^ | Jerry Coyne, Ph.D.

Posted on 04/23/2009 7:27:24 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts

For if we ever begin to suppress our search to understand nature, to quench our own intellectual excitement in a misguided effort to present a united front where it does not and should not exist, then we are truly lost.

–Stephen Jay Gould

[Y]ou’ve heard me complain about scientific organizations that sell evolution by insisting that it’s perfectly consistent with religion. Evolution, they say, threatens many peoples’ religious views — not just the literalism of Genesis, but also the morality that supposedly emanates from scripture. Professional societies like the National Academy of Sciences — the most elite organization of American scientists — have concluded that to make evolution palatable to Americans, you must show that it is not only consistent with religion, but also no threat to it. (And so much the better if, as theologians like John Haught assert, evolution actually deepens our faith.) Given that many members of such organizations are atheists, their stance of accommodationism appears to be a pragmatic one.

Here I argue that the accommodationist position of the National Academy of Sciences, and especially that of the National Center for Science Education, is a self-defeating tactic, compromising the very science they aspire to defend. By seeking union with religious people, and emphasizing that there is no genuine conflict between faith and science, they are making accommodationism not just a tactical position, but a philosophical one. By ignoring the significant dissent in the scientific community about whether religion and science can be reconciled, they imply a unanimity that does not exist. Finally, by consorting with scientists and philosophers who incorporate supernaturalism into their view of evolution, they erode the naturalism that underpins modern evolutionary theory.

Let’s begin with a typical accommodationist statement—this one from the National Academy of Sciences...

(Excerpt) Read more at whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com ...


TOPICS: Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Religion & Science
KEYWORDS: acgrayling; andpeteratkins; catholic; christian; creation; dandennett; evolution; fathergeorgecoyne; franciscollins; homeschool; homeschooler; homeschooling; intelligentdesign; judaism; kennethmiller; moralabsolutes; pzmyers; richarddawkins; samharris; science; socialism; stevenpinker
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To: Bosh Flimshaw

You do have to consume a natural diet to benefit therefrom.

Taking an antibiotic leaves you succeptible to every bug that comes along for a long time. Killing the beneficial organisms destroys your production of B vitamins, which are made in the small intestine. that can lead to numerous endocrinal syndromes that will leave you fatigued, in pain from head to toe, blurry vision, loss of control of blood sugar (too much or too little), loss of thyroid function, leaving you with a low body temperature, and thus unable to fight a virus quickly enough to prevent long term infection, loss of pineal or pituitary function, and adrenal function, thus unable to sleep properly. Antibiotics are really great!

Ever seen anybody with Thrush? Just another benefit of modern medicine. Yeast infection? Same cause. Love the stuff.


141 posted on 04/24/2009 1:47:24 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: atlaw
But how does DNA "prevent" evolution?

The same way that following a set of plans keeps a builder from building the wrong house.

142 posted on 04/24/2009 1:49:47 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: editor-surveyor

I’m sorry, but your post is nonresponsive to what I asked you.

I have already agreed that there are examples of people being harmed through improper usage of modern medicine. I’ll even agree antibiotics are capable of being misused, to the detriment of the individual and society at large.

I asked you what diet would provide natural protection against bubonic plague, smallpox, and malaria?


143 posted on 04/24/2009 2:06:57 PM PDT by Bosh Flimshaw
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To: editor-surveyor

“Science is nothing but human impatience with God’s plan.”

Well stated.


144 posted on 04/24/2009 2:44:29 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: Atom Smasher

So you agree that “God did it” is as far as we really need to go when exploring the world around us?


145 posted on 04/24/2009 2:47:08 PM PDT by Bosh Flimshaw
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To: Atom Smasher

“Science is nothing but human impatience with God’s plan.”

“Well stated.”

Is it me editor-surveyor, or are you sending mixed signals here? I’m reading your responses to the freepers, and you seem to be all over the place.

In a nut shell, God is a separate entity from anything that man comes up with. I agree that man gets impatient to know the ways of God, but once again, for man to put HIS dogma on God isn’t right.

I don’t need proof or literal meanings of the Almighty, as I saw state earlier by another freeper. That is the meaning of FAITH. You have your beliefs without needing proof for them.

If I have misinterpretted your posts, I apologize. But feel free to let me know where you stand, if you so choose.


146 posted on 04/24/2009 3:04:49 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: Bosh Flimshaw

Any diet that is devoid of non life-source ingredients, includes adequate protein to maintain cellular reproduction, and contains a wide variety of herbs such as some common spices like oregano, garlic, turmeric, and adequate daily portions of indoles (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc).

The spices aren’t just for flavor; they are major fighters of pathogens. Also very helpful, although not needed more than about once a week are fermented vegetables, like sauer kraut, which replenish the beneficial bacteria in your intestines. Buy them fresh, not pasteurized, or make them yourself, because pasteurization obviously kills the bacteria that you need. Also, some of the garlic that you eat should be chewed fresh, because that is the only way to get the alicin.


147 posted on 04/24/2009 3:36:40 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: Bosh Flimshaw

“So you agree that “God did it” is as far as we really need to go when exploring the world around us?”

Absolutely not. There are many wonders out there that are meant for our discovery. When I said “well stated”, I was referring to man’s impatience to find answers regarding God, and then trying to tie God in with science.

My personal belief is that God is a separate entity free from persecution or accusation. The “Aha!” man is looking for regarding God, will never come, if it is being searched out to be equated with science. However, the “Aha” can come when man is speaking to God within himself.

There are deep, hidden recesses in our own minds that we have not tapped into yet...I believe there are recesses about life on earth we have not tapped into yet. Science is a beautiful thing, not only because I work in it, I believe that this is the way we can learn about our surroundings, learn how to sustain life, & learn how to simply survive.

Why must people be so eager to disprove God’s Words? I believe the most important thing scientists should look at when attempting to compare evo with God, is the issue of the word “time”. When God said “days” in Genesis, how long is that? Man is the one who came up with 24 hours = 1 day. I don’t recall God giving us the hours in his day.

So things need to be kept in perspective, when it comes to trying to equate religion with science.

Sorry for the rambling...its an interesting topic. But I am a Christian, and I stand behind my faith.

I don’t believe God meant us to be, pardon the comparison, like the Eloi in the movie Time Machine, with no mind or will to explore & learn.


148 posted on 04/24/2009 3:37:25 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: Atom Smasher

Can you be more specific?


149 posted on 04/24/2009 3:38:05 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: Atom Smasher

I think for the most part, that we are in agreement.

No human ‘science’ is appropriate to our relationship with Christ, but science is not evil in and of itself. If it is helpful to our lives without ruling our lives, its ok, but if we allow it to trump the wisdom of the word, we’ve gone too far.


150 posted on 04/24/2009 3:45:06 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: editor-surveyor

Regarding what, haven’t I rambled enough? (Ha ha). Seriously, more specific with regard to what? Or are you joking?


151 posted on 04/24/2009 3:46:06 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: Atom Smasher

Just what you thought was inconsistent?


152 posted on 04/24/2009 3:50:22 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: editor-surveyor

Yes, this is reasonable. God didn’t create us with such complexity as to expect us to stay ignorant to the ways of our environment.


153 posted on 04/24/2009 3:57:19 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: editor-surveyor

Well, I’m glad that the bubonic plague, smallpox, and malaria are all prevented by “Any diet that is devoid of non life-source ingredients, includes adequate protein to maintain cellular reproduction, and contains a wide variety of herbs...”


154 posted on 04/24/2009 4:24:35 PM PDT by Bosh Flimshaw
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To: editor-surveyor

“Most of those listed have simply invented a god to believe in that fits their other beliefs.”

Only God knows what is in a men’s hart.

Matthew 7:1-4

1”Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3”Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?


155 posted on 04/24/2009 4:40:11 PM PDT by Ira_Louvin (Go tell them people lost in sin, They need not fear the works of men.)
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To: Ira_Louvin

Why didn’t you continue to verse 5 where he commands us to get ready to judge?


156 posted on 04/24/2009 4:51:23 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks a lot like the end of the Nixon administration)
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To: Atom Smasher

Someone named Atom Smasher discounts science? Not sure I get you at all.

Meantime, God scratches his head and wonders “Geez, what the heck did I give these people intellects and a sense of curiosity for??”


157 posted on 04/24/2009 6:00:11 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Atom Smasher

And if I misunderstood your 144 I apologize. I thought you agreed with this statement: “Science is nothing but human impatience with God’s plan.”

Of course science is more that that. The statement is nonsense.


158 posted on 04/24/2009 6:02:44 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

Understood & Forgiven!

Thanks!


159 posted on 04/24/2009 6:08:47 PM PDT by Atom Smasher
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To: Fichori

[[¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

2nd Timothy 3:1-9 ]]

Thank you for htose verses- pretty much sums up the whole situation-

“despisers of those that are good,”

Bingo


160 posted on 04/24/2009 8:14:22 PM PDT by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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