Creation of "DARWIN DAY" Holiday

TimesOnlineUK ^ | feb 12, 2003 | Prof. Simon Blackburn

[Rytwyng]

Call for creation of Darwin Day
From Professor Simon Blackburn and others

Sir, We, the undersigned, support proposals for the creation of a new public holiday, Darwin Day, on February 12.

This is the birthday of Charles Darwin, one of the greatest British scientists and thinkers that ever lived. At a time when creationism appears to be gaining ground in English schools, the public celebration of Charles Darwin’s contribution to modern science could send out a clear message of support for scientific thinking.

It will be the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2009, and we very much hope that this new public holiday will be in place by then.

Yours etc,
SIMON BLACKBURN,
FRANCIS CRICK,
RICHARD DAWKINS,
RICHARD DOLL,
PHILIP PULLMAN,
CLAIRE RAYNER,
c/o British Humanist Association,
47 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8SP.

[Condorman]

DNA's information is what we get out of it; not what someone put into it.

You mean sort of like a pattern analysis routine?

[Condorman]

It's like we were discussing on the monster thread. First we have to define and agree upon the terms. Only then can we actually talk TO each other.

[colorado tanker]

Hmmm. This proposal is from the British Humanist Association.

"The BHA exists to support and represent people who seek to live good and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." http://www.humanism.org.uk/homepage.shtml

Interesting that this proposal does not come from a group of British scientists, but rather a group of British atheists.

[PatrickHenry]

You mean sort of like a pattern analysis routine?

Yes, very much like that.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

These purveyors of flapdoodle and baked wind should set the date for the 30th of February and wait for IT to evolve.

Still trying to get myself together here, nearly blew the cubicle down..... the best laugh I've had in days... Thanks!

[MEGoody]

"The same techniques and procedures that allow for the development of medicines and vaccines are used in all of science - including paleontology, geology and biology."

Explain please. Show how the study of bones and fossils is even necessary to the development of modern medicines and medical techniques.

[f.Christian]

their collective determination to place religion and science on equal footing in the classroom

their collective -- STATIST determination to place evolution // superstition and science on equal footing in the classroom - - -

barring any critical analysis // examination ==== intelligent -- rational thought // dicussion !

... evo nazis !

[CalConservative]

Excellent idea! I do, however, think we should make the date April 1, instead. It would be so much more appropriate.

[f.Christian]

Evolution is -- full on -- brainwashing (( redacting // deleting -- HATING God -- conservatism )) and . . .

indoctrinating // programming LIBERALISM -- LOVING lies // bias -- all through America // society ! ! !

All unashamedly on the FR too ==== "fraud // corruption" ==== UNADULTERED tyranny // blasphemy -- slavery !

[Dataman]

But what is even more frightening than their abject denial of evidence is their collective determination to place religion and science on equal footing in the classroom.

I disagree with you on this point. It is not a good point on which to begin a debate, but it is an untrue statement that often appears on this thread. Let it be understood that the creation vs evolution debate is not about religion vs science, it is about the a priori presuppositions of both sides as well as the interpretation of the evidence. Can we agree on that?

Religion and science can never be equated, for the former is faith-based, while the latter is driven to collect factual evidence to be rigorously tested against a hypothesis.

Although there are errors in your statement, there is no need for me to refute it since no one has suggested equating religion with science.

Knowing that I place religion in the metaphysical realm, do you really wish to debate me on this issue?

Regardless of where you place religion, I only require that you subject your own metaphysical beliefs to the same rules to which you hold my metaphysical beliefs.

Let's get the metaphysical stuff out of the way: Do you accept the existence of God?

[Tigercap]

Darwin and evolutionISM have nothing to do with "scientific thinking"

[f.Christian]

Bias-off-the-wall science ==== evolution -- a vine //weed . . . choking science// society -- America !

[LiteKeeper]

I think you are confused about the use of the word "information" in this context. DNA's information is what we get out of it; not what someone put into it.

Where does the information "we get out of it" come from? What programs the base pairs? What links the A's to the T's? What links the C's to the G's? And how is that a cell like the mycoplasma has 482 genes and 580,000 base pairs, and yet is a parasite because it does not have enough genetic information to sustain life? Where did that first cell get the information stored on the DNA?

[LiteKeeper]

Heredity, variation, selection. I forget, which of those equates to atheism again?

Nice try, but no cigar. There is an underlying philosophical assumption in evolution: God is either unnecessary, or doesn't exist. That is an undeniable fact about evolutionism. And if you will read the article I link above, you will see no less an evolutionist than the now-deceased Stephen Jay Gould admits that fact.

You are talking about mechanism, and I am talking about presuppositions...and they are there!

[Luna]

Fine and dandy, but I want a Dr. Suess Day!!!

We can all eat green eggs and ham that day and maybe concoct some wonderful Grinchy ideas.

[BMCDA]

Information Science says that it is impossible to create information without intelligence.

Eh? And which quantifiable definitions of information and intelligence are used?

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The fact that the laws of the universe are perfect for life is evidence for a Designer. The fact that the laws of the universe can't produce life is evidence for a Designer. (from The Quixotic Message)

[PatrickHenry]

What links the A's to the T's? What links the C's to the G's?

It's the angels who hold it all together. I thought everyone knew that.

[LiteKeeper]

So much for an intelligent discussion. Good night.

[beavus]

new public holiday, Darwin Day

If this happens, it would only be fair to have a public holiday for creationists as well. We could call it "Poof Day".

[BMCDA]

It's the angels who hold it all together. I thought everyone knew that.

Yeah, and it's the love of Jesus that holds the protons together ;-D

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Absolutely everything wrong in society is caused by dogmatic Darwinian atheistic materialists. Including stereotyping, demonizing, and scapegoating. (from The Quixotic Message)