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Re: paleonet Good news for evolution and science teaching



>  I agree with you David, and I am sorry I posted that particular email.  It 
>  was the only news I had of it at the time.   I should have waited for the 
>  CNN, NCSE, and other blurbs about it.    I hope I clarified it in my most 
>  recent post.  On the other hand, it does point out that we need to look 
>  more broadly than our own particular interests when it comes to science 
>  literacy.  Most religious people in mainstream churches, at least, support 
>  science.

Yes, I thought that you posted the initial blurb for the news content rather than the extraneous spin.  

The particular difficulty is that antievolutionists gain support largely by portraying evolution as inherently atheistic, a misrepresentation abetted by the philosophical claims of Dawkins and others.  Thus, it's particularly important for us to point out that evolution is good science and compatible with many religious and philosophical views.  All evolution tells us is that, if there is some sort of intelligent designer involved in the creation of life, he/she/it/they either used evolution or did an extremely good job of making it look like evolution was the method used.  Very useful for biology, but not so useful for philosophy and religion.  

    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