Great article in eSkeptic newsletter re: Ben Stein's movie

[wryter2000]

http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/08-04-17.html#part1

Michael Shermer and his crew do it again.

"In 1974 I matriculated at Pepperdine University as a born-again Christian who rejected Darwinism and evolutionary theory, not because I knew anything about it (I didn’t) but because I thought that in order to believe in God and accept the Bible as true that you had to be a creationist. What I knew about evolution came primarily from creationist literature, so when I finally took a course in evolutionary theory in graduate school I realized that I had been hoodwinked. What I discovered is a massive amount of evidence from multiple sciences — geology, paleontology, biogeography, zoology, botany, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, genetics and embryology — demonstrating that evolution happened.
It was with some irony for me, then, that I saw Ben Stein’s anti-evolution documentary film, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, opens with the actor, game show host and speech writer for Richard Nixon addressing a packed audience of adoring students at Pepperdine University, apparently falling for the same trap I did." (snip)

"When will people learn that Darwinian naturalism has nothing whatsoever to do with religious supernaturalism? By the very definitions of the words it is not possible for supernatural processes to be understood by a method designed strictly for analyzing natural causes. Unless God reaches into our world through natural and detectable means, He remains wholly outside the realm of science.
So, yes Mr. Stein, sometimes walls are bad (Berlin), but other times good walls make good neighbors. Let’s build up that wall separating church and state, along with science and religion, and let freedom ring for all people to believe or disbelieve what they will. "

The newsletter is free, btw.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. WOW the very next paragraph:

Actually they didn’t. The biology professors at Pepperdine assure me that their mostly Christian students fully accept the theory of evolution. So who were these people embracing Stein’s screed against science? Extras. According to Lee Kats, Associate Provost for Research and Chair of Natural Science at Pepperdine, “the production company paid for the use of the facility just as all other companies do that film on our campus” but that “the company was nervous that they would not have enough people in the audience so they brought in extras. Members of the audience had to sign in and the staff member reports that no more than two to three Pepperdine students were in attendance. Mr. Stein’s lecture on that topic was not an event sponsored by the university.” And this is one of the least dishonest parts of the film.

[wryter2000]

3. The whole thing is awesome

And it's only the first part.

If you read all the way down to the end, it appears they're pretty free with permission to reprint and forward. For DU, it was just easier to post the link.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Lots of good stuff linked there too

Thanks! :hi:

[wryter2000]

6. You're very welcome

:hi:

[Cresent City Kid]

2. Can't have it both ways

The same science that supports evolution and the Big Bang is inseparable from the technolgy to make films and TV, his bread basket. At least the Amish stick to their guns. The unanswered questions of science don't disprove the whole ball of wax.

[wryter2000]

4. Right

I honestly wonder if they want to reject the science that develops the drugs and medical procedures they give to their kids.