Intelligent Design?
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Intelligent Design?
| Sun, 08-31-2008 - 11:09am |
Are you concerned about a potential vice president that supports teaching the idea of intelligent design side by side with evolution? I have tried to look into it since hearing that Sarah Palin supports both being taught and I confess I am deeply troubled. Maybe someone could enlighten me but I definitely do not what my children taught that 'intelligent design' as scientific fact. I live in an area where religion is already dangerously encroaching on public education and this bothers me. My religious beliefs are personal and I am tired of people telling me that I should believe what they believe - everyone seems to think their religion is 'the one' without allowing that I may feel the same about mine. Maybe someone can enlighten me - but this idea really concerns me. I know vice presidents don't make policy - but should something happen to McCain this woman would be president.




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I have no problem with public school teachers discussing ID, I do have a problem with science teachers teaching it along side evolution in a science class.
WOW, we agree.
< have never been in a college level class that was discussing evolution that did not involve some discussion of creationism.>
Really? I am on my way towards a physics degree and
As a Biology teacher intelligent design is definitely one of my hot button issues. I usually lurk on this board, but could not do so for this discussion. I have studied this issue and could go on for pages. I will try not to do so.
People confuse science with democracy and belief. Science is not democratic. It is not a belief system. It is not based on popularity or majority rules.
Science has several fundamental limitations which are also one of its strengths.
Science CAN NOT turn to supernatural causes to explain observed phenomena. That means Science can not say that God did it. It doesn't mean that religion isn't valid. It means that religion isn't scientific. Big difference.
Intelligent design has NO proof, so scientifically credible evidence.
Evolution has a wide variety of evidence from a wide variety of sources including but not limited to: archaeology, geology, zoology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, anatomy and so on and so forth. In fact evolution is a thread that weaves almost ALL of the life science together explaining phenomena that would be otherwise confusing and inexplicable. Evolution can be and has been observed and documented. Not the controversial moth study of the early 1900's but more recent cases that are well documented including the commonly observed antibiotic-resistance of bacteria and the evolution of viruses from one strain into another.
Intelligent Design is entirely based on the bible and holes that people have poked into Evolution. First, many of those holes were valid. Yes, were. They have been closed due to scientific work. It is good that someone made the criticisms, but the critics don't keep up on their science!
Now the reality is that I personally, do agree with intelligent design. i don't think the christian god was that directing intelligence but something else. But Intelligence Design is not science it is belief. It is completely unsupported. AND most of the proponents for intelligent design are really creationists who simply don't understand and can not respect the line between science and religion.
And for those who still want to teach intelligent design.... should we teach a higher power? shall I say that it could be Jehovah? Allah? Zeus? maybe Shakti and Shiva? perhaps an alien? What about teaching the other creation myths? oh wait, now we are getting into what belongs in a good old mythology class.
Teach intelligent design in its very own class, or in a religion class. NOT a science class. It simply isn't science.
8/8/08 BFP! HCG=72 I'm pregnant!!!, 8/11/08 HCG=389 so good so far!, 8/13/08 HCG=1036 grow baby grow!, 8/15/08 HCG=1919 yay!
8/19/08 u/s Everything looks good, and only one in the oven.
8/26/08 u/s Saw and heard my beautiful baby's heartbeat!!!
-Judy- me 36, DH 36, DS born 6/12/2000 and DD born 4/19/2009![]()
Alright, I have read a few more emails since I posted. I'm thrilled to see religious people that value the separation of church and state. I read all too many articles by people who don't see it.
I recall a recent series of articles discussing the founding fathers and their philosophy behind this separation. They held the opinion that putting the two together devalued religion. People become less religious when they are told that they must believe this and are hearing it from everywhere within their society and culture.
Our school district firmly believes that ID is not science. But some of the other science teachers are afraid of the topic even coming up. The first day of class I discuss the limits of science. That religion isn't scientific but that it doesn't mean it isn't valid. I usually get alot of surprised looks from the students but they seem to appreciate it.
Sorry for my rant... I can see that it wasn't necessary...
8/8/08 BFP! HCG=72 I'm pregnant!!!, 8/11/08 HCG=389 so good so far!, 8/13/08 HCG=1036 grow baby grow!, 8/15/08 HCG=1919 yay!
8/19/08 u/s Everything looks good, and only one in the oven.
8/26/08 u/s Saw and heard my beautiful baby's heartbeat!!!
-Judy- me 36, DH 36, DS born 6/12/2000 and DD born 4/19/2009![]()
You're right
No apology necessary as far as I'm concerned... I thought your post was intelligent and well thought out, and I enjoyed reading it.
>>so why NOT allow those questions to be discussed?
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