The ID Update

by Denyse O'Leary
ARN correspondent

Dinesh D'Souza's comments on animal rights ethicist Peter Singer make Ben Stein look bland. And he is getting LOTS of comments, too. (Next time I will remember to bring a feather to knock myself over with.)

The Spiritual Brain shortlisted for three Write! Canada awards

Phyllis Schlafly on the Expelled movie and why she thinks commentators hate the term "Darwinism"

Well-known Turkish creationist sentenced to jail - not ID-related, source says

David Warren on how animals differ from machines, and other topics, including bizarre fur seal sex

Toronto-based Canadian journalist Denyse O'Leary (www.designorchance.com) is the author of the multiple award-winning By Design or by Chance? (Augsburg Fortress 2004), an overview of the intelligent design controversy. She was named CBA Canada's Recommended Author of the Year in 2005 and is co-author, with Montreal neuroscientist Mario Beauregard, of the forthcoming The Spiritual Brain: A neuroscientist's case for the existence of the soul (Harper 2007).

Science Teachers and Professors...

You are invited to attend Biola's 2008 Science Teacher Symposium: Intelligent Design after "Expelled"

Presented by Biola University's M.A. Program in Science and Religion
Thursday July 17, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m., Biola University
Friday, July 18, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Biola University

Cost: $99 ($109 if postmarked after July 1).

What will it be like to teach about Intelligent Design in the wake of the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed". Internationally known design theorist Dr. Paul Nelson, who appeared in "Expelled", will give us an answer. Dr. John Bloom and Dr. Mike Keas of Biola's M.A. Program in Science and Religion will also contribute to the program. The symposium grants teachers with ACSI (Christian) Continuing Education Units. Public and home school educators are also welcomed.

Symposium Topics Important to all Science Teachers
- Introduction to Science and Religion
- Resources for Teaching about Intelligent Design
- Human Origins: Issues in Physical Science and Biology

Parallel Sessions
- Physical Sciences
- Inferring Design from Anthropic Correspondences
- Biochemistry: The Biochemical Prerequisites for Life
- Life Sciences
- Recent Advances in Biological Intelligent Design Research
- Using the "Explore Evolution" Curriculum (going beyond topics in our
2007 Symposium)

NOTE: We do not favor mandating (as public policy) the teaching of intelligent design (ID) in schools. Even so, many teachers will want to know more about ID as an exciting new scientific research agenda. After "Expelled" more students will be asking about ID than every before. Be prepared to respond to student curiosity!

To get more information and register, click HERE.

by Denyse O'Leary
ARN correspondent

Was one woman who lived 150,000 to 200,000 years ago the ancestress of all of us? Science may not be sure, but pop culture is.

Part One: Our Mitochondria: A piece in the puzzle of our origins?

Part Two: What does our mitochondrial DNA say about human ancestry?

Part Three: African Eve - when pop culture falls in love with science

Toronto-based Canadian journalist Denyse O'Leary (www.designorchance.com) is the author of the multiple award-winning By Design or by Chance? (Augsburg Fortress 2004), an overview of the intelligent design controversy. She was named CBA Canada's Recommended Author of the Year in 2005 and is co-author, with Montreal neuroscientist Mario Beauregard, of the forthcoming The Spiritual Brain: A neuroscientist's case for the existence of the soul (Harper 2007).

A new Web site covers the problem of discrimination against Darwin skeptics. The Web site will document each case learned of and give advice on how to survive in academia. The Web site will also respond to the common false charges against individuals, such as the claim that there was no evidence that Dr. Gonzalez (Iowa State University) was denied tenure due to his support of intelligent design.

On the Web site, there is a form at the bottom of the page, which will give you a free chapter of an upcoming book. You will also get updates on what is going on with this projects.

Click HERE for the Web site.