SCIENCE ON TRIAL... AGAIN
The Dover, PA. school board has ordered biology teachers to teach the theory of "intelligent design" and make students aware of problems and gaps in Darwin's theory of evolution. Being a Christian and an evolutionist, I do not feel the two are mutually exclusive. It is like going to the doctor when you're sick, but praying that you get well. I thank God for giving us scientists.
However, I have a problem with the way scientific theories are taught in schools, primarily in high schools. Darwin's theory of evolution, is a theory, just like the theory of relativity, what we know about stars, planets and black holes, etc. These theories change over time, as Stephen Hawking will admit, but it is taught as if it is a scientific law in high schools. When you get to college, the professors are more thorough in their teaching.
One of the reasons it is still a theory is because credible atheists in the scientific community recognize that there are problems in the theory. However, evolution is taught without examining the gaps and problems that keep it a theory. In order to become law, one of the criteria is that the theory must demonstrate universality, meaning that the theory is not conditional on circumstances or environment. As yet, there are still many questions in the scientific community regarding the universality of Darwin's theory. However, it is a theory because there is a substantial amount of evidence to support Darwin's hypothesis.
That does not mean that this idea of "intelligent design" or creationism should be taught as an alternative in biology class. Creationism is not a science and therefore should not be taught in a science class. Creationism and different religions should be taught in schools because they are an integral part of our culture, but teach it either in a religious studies class or a liberal arts class, like history or literature. Nearly all western college students majoring in English Literature are required to read the Bible as part of their studies.
The science of intelligent design is, simply put, junk science
In college, I heard physics professors state that through their study of science, they have come to believe that the universe is too complex to have been created by chance. The universe is in such perfect balance that if anything were off by even a trillionth of a fraction, then the entire universe would cease to exist. These were not Christian physicists, however. They were decidedly agnostic. They also would not subscribe to the ID folks' ideas of science, since their revelations came from an objective study of science, not caring whether or not it proved or disproved any religious, social or cultural belief.
However, I have a problem with the way scientific theories are taught in schools, primarily in high schools. Darwin's theory of evolution, is a theory, just like the theory of relativity, what we know about stars, planets and black holes, etc. These theories change over time, as Stephen Hawking will admit, but it is taught as if it is a scientific law in high schools. When you get to college, the professors are more thorough in their teaching.
One of the reasons it is still a theory is because credible atheists in the scientific community recognize that there are problems in the theory. However, evolution is taught without examining the gaps and problems that keep it a theory. In order to become law, one of the criteria is that the theory must demonstrate universality, meaning that the theory is not conditional on circumstances or environment. As yet, there are still many questions in the scientific community regarding the universality of Darwin's theory. However, it is a theory because there is a substantial amount of evidence to support Darwin's hypothesis.
That does not mean that this idea of "intelligent design" or creationism should be taught as an alternative in biology class. Creationism is not a science and therefore should not be taught in a science class. Creationism and different religions should be taught in schools because they are an integral part of our culture, but teach it either in a religious studies class or a liberal arts class, like history or literature. Nearly all western college students majoring in English Literature are required to read the Bible as part of their studies.
The science of intelligent design is, simply put, junk science
Clearly, this is not objective. They have stated in black and white that they are specifically looking for evidence to support intelligent design. The scientific method is supposed to be objective. They are not supposed to be spurred on by logical, religious or social necessity.
The theory of intelligent design (ID) holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection.
In college, I heard physics professors state that through their study of science, they have come to believe that the universe is too complex to have been created by chance. The universe is in such perfect balance that if anything were off by even a trillionth of a fraction, then the entire universe would cease to exist. These were not Christian physicists, however. They were decidedly agnostic. They also would not subscribe to the ID folks' ideas of science, since their revelations came from an objective study of science, not caring whether or not it proved or disproved any religious, social or cultural belief.
posted by Rene at
11:54 AM
