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In the Dover case Kennith Miller, a prominent evolutionary
biologist and critic of creation science and ID and John Haught,
retired Georgetown University theologian were the only self
identified "Christians" who testified. One of the thrusts of the
plaintiff's case rests on the analysis that ID is just "creationism
in a white lab coat" no more no less. There has been an argument for
quite a while that there is no conflict between evolution and
religion just that they do not belong together in a science
curriculum. In fact, most would argue that students should be exposed
to different interpretations of the world- religious, philosophical
and naturalistic (scientific).
I think I'll believe that Darwin's Church mice can have an
effect when Richard Dawkins agrees with the coexistence of evolution
and religion and creation sciences agree the world is older than
10,000 years. I think the difficulty is with the
extremes-evangelicals of all stripes and the outspoken atheistic
evolutionists. That leaves about 70% of the population that might be
moved from their positions. It is these we should be approaching.
However, I personally think we'll have better luck through education
of children about evolution. Evolution needs to be taught not as a
separate topic which may not reached for lack of time but as an
integral part of the life science curriculum, from K - 12, in age
appropriate ways. If biology is not comprehensible except in the
light of modern evolution theory then how can biology be taught
without considering evolution through out?
Yes, I highly recommend the New Scientist article. If you can't get
it email me.
Martin
>
>The current issue of New Scientist magazine carries a particularly
>well-written four page article about the Dover trial, entitled "God
>goes to court in all but name".
>
>Until I read the article I hadn't been aware that, this time, many
>of the plaintiffs opposing Intelligent Design teaching are committed
>Christians. And their primary expert witness, Kenneth Miller is a
>Catholic and author of one of the most enlightening books I've read
>on the controversy.
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060175931/104-5275975-0628733?v=glance
>
>New Scientist portrays the involvement of Christians in opposing the
>ID campaign as a significant new development and describes the
>plaintiffs' decision to avoid using religion-bashing expert
>witnesses as "a shrewd move". It is the most cheering news I've
>heard in a week. Maybe Darwin's Church Mice can win hearts and minds
>where Darwin's Bulldogs only intensify polarisation and prejudice.
>
>
>[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
>*
>Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
>Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
>*
>Ian Russell
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--
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356
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