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Hi Sara;

A very basic guideline could be "we are a science institution and  
present only science or information derive by scientific inquiry ie  
methods that are testable and refutable". So you don't get involved in  
defining what is not acceptable—Creationism, Creation Science, ID,  
Theism etc.  Too broad?


Martin

>
>
> Hi All,
>
> I've been following this morning thread eagerly.
>
> I'm wondering how many organizations out there have adopted a  
> specific policy statement or formal stance with respect to  
> evolution.  I know I've seen a lot of discussion around this topic.  
> (In searching through this listserv's archives I can't seem to find  
> peoples commentary on the pro's and con's of having an institutional  
> stance.)  We're in the planning stages for a new exhibition and I'm  
> anticipating that having an institutionally agreed upon framework  
> for answering questions that may come up may prove quite useful.   
> Anyone care to share their policy and or guidance either on list or  
> off.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sara
>
>
> Sara DeAngelis
> Senior Exhibit Developer
> Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
> 180 Woz Way
> San Jose, CA 95110
>
> •
>
> p: 408-298-5437 x285
> f: 408-298-6826
> e: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> On Jul 13, 2009, at 9:32 AM, martin weiss wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 13, 2009, at 11:55 AM, Jack W Cannon wrote:
>>
>>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
>>> Centers
>>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
>>> institutions.
>>> *****************************************************************************
>>>
>>> Stephan,
>>>
>>> Thank you for the response.
>>>
>>> He did not call it science.  Nor did he  try to affect political  
>>> or education leaders into making laws and policies.  He never said  
>>> that he was teaching, although the event was billed as a seminar.   
>>> He even stated in a private conversation that he was preaching.
>>>
>>> He did emphasize his claimed doctorate in anatomy and neurobiology.
>>>
>>> I did not make any attempt to debate him.  I was well aware that  
>>> he would have an appropriate response regardless of any point that  
>>> I would try to make.  Otherwise he would not be in the position  
>>> that he occupied.  I realized this years ago when the tobacco  
>>> companies would send their con men around to spread their junk  
>>> science.  I studied their positions and knew their responses from  
>>> the mistakes that others made.  On the very first time that I  
>>> accepted an invitation to debate one of them, I was prepared.  The  
>>> tobacco industry propagandist became completely frustrated and got  
>>> up and walked out of the studio leaving me alone to respond to the  
>>> call-ins from the listeners.  After that they would always find an  
>>> excuse to cancel when my name was mentioned to them.  I  
>>> accomplished this only by seriously studying their tactics to the  
>>> point that I knew every word that was going to come out of their  
>>> mouth.
>>>
>>> I did take the opportunity to ask a very innocent sounding  
>>> question and he had no choice but to take the bait.  I even heard  
>>> some audience snickers when he did.
>>>
>>> I am not convinced that he actually believes the material that he  
>>> presents. I think that he is a professional con man that has found  
>>> a market opportunity for his particular message and is simply  
>>> responding to the demand that presents itself from well-meaning  
>>> parishioners.
>>
>> Con men usually gain something eg money, influence etc. What was he  
>> getting out of it especially if you feel he did not believe in what  
>> he was preaching? Did the church pay him to speak?
>>
>> He sounds like an interesting cultural phenomenon and is somewhat  
>> benign however people like the Creation Museum in Lexington,  
>> Kentucky and the recent efforts in Texas are not so benign. They  
>> seem the real danger.
>>
>> Martin
>>>
>>> Jack Cannon
>>
>> ______________________________
>> ______________________________
>> Martin Weiss, PhD
>> Science Interpretation Consultant
>> New York Hall of Science
>> mweiss at nyscience dot org
>>
>> ***********************************************************************
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
>> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>>
>> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org 
>> .
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>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org 
> .
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L- 
> Soft. To learn more, visit
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> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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__________________
__________________
Martin Weiss, PhD
Science Interpretation Consultant
mweiss at nyscience dot org

Charlie and Kiwi's Evolutionary Adventure
See how life changes over time
May 23rd through August 30th

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