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Dear
All Paleonetters--
If you
are able to listen to National Public Radio, they will be broadcasting a story
about the Georgia evolution debate on their "All Things Considered" program this
afternoon. If you would like to listen and are out of the US, you can via
the web at http://www.npr.org.
I should add that in addition to Georgia, there is legislation pending in
Michigan and Missouri about restricting the teaching of evolution or giving
'equal time' to creationism/intelligent design as well as Georgia.
Also, there is a book currently being sold at the bookstore in the Grand
Canyon National Park which purports that the canyon was formed by a great
flood. You can read more about that at:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/10/il/il21afaith.html
Yours in
Science,
Lisa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Lisa E. Park
Associate Professor
Department of Geology
University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-4101
(ph) 330-972-7633
(fax) 330-972-7611
"Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque
recurret." Anon.
I would just like to apologize if I have offended anyone with using
paleonet as a discussion board for creationism; however, I find it highly
disturbing that creationists are still lobbying for, and even passing,
legislature that could seriously affect the scientific community. This
is why I believe that paleontologists should take this matter seriously.
I did not mean to appear to be "Christian-bashing" or misusing this
forum. I would just like to see someone take a
stand. ariewjanssen <ariewjanssen@waldonet.net.mt>
wrote:
This discussion about creationism surprises me,
and, to be honest, irritates me terribly. Let the so-called 'christians'
believe what they believe, as found in a volume full of fairy tales and let
us realistic people believe in isotopes and astrochronology. In long
term experience I have learned the only way to deal with such people: say
that you agree with them, and stop the discussion, bye bye.
Arie W. Janssen, Gozo, Malta
ariewjanssen@waldonet.net.mt
http://sites.waldonet.net.mt/ariewe/
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'brighter than glass, and yet, as glass is,
brittle'
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 2:54
AM
Subject: Re: paleonet
GA-Evolution
Hello All,
I am new to paleonet and so I will just give myself a brief
introduction. My name is Amanda Bahls and I am a graduate student at
Indiana State University. I am currently working towards my Master's
in geology, with an emphasis in paleoceanography. I saw this
article, as well as Dr. Campbell's response to it, and had to
respond, because I have just finished reading an excellent book on just
this type of problem. "Rocks of Ages" by Stephen Jay Gould could not
put this so-called "controversy" between science and religion into better
perspective. They do not have to be integrated into a single,
unified belief. They can co-exist without incorporating one into the
other. In fact, they should not be taught as a single entity.
Which religion would you choose to integrate with science in order to
teach a "creationist" point of view? I'm sure that most would
automatically reply that Christianity would be the only answer. But
how is that fair to those who aren't Christian? We can take prayer
out of schools, because we might offend those with other religious
beliefs, but we can teach what one particular dogma of faith says happened
in order for the earth (and ourselves) to come into existence, and
"water down" the findings of science because they make students think that
the Bible may not be a literal document? I guess that I just don't
understand the logic.
Amanda S. Bahls
Indiana State University
Department of Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Science Building Room 159
Terre Haute, IN 47809
A
recently published book might be a useful reference in dealing with such
things: Miller, Keith (ed.). Perspectives on an Evolving Creation. It
was published by Eerdmans, but I believe the usual sources like Amazon
carry it.
It discusses evolution in an explicitly Christian
context while maintaining scientific accuracy (e.g., holding that
evolution appears to be the best scientific explanation for biological
origins). In fact, I would argue that it provides a more Christian
approach than the standard purportedly Christian antievolutionary
claims, as the latter generally disregard the many Biblical passages
that command truthfulness, quality work, and a peacemaking attitude. (As
a co-author of one chapter, my view may not be entirely
objective.)
Incidentally, I believe there is currently an attempt
to submit legislation favoring teaching alternative views (broadly
worded, but creationism and intelligent design are major alternatives in
mind of the proposer) here in Alabama, next door to Georgia. Keep an eye
on your legislators!
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept.
Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345
USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe,
taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic
Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate
Spa
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