In the News

On Channel 4 in the UK Richard Dawkins is astounded that religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth based on hard evidence. Julia Bard reports.

In this two-part Channel 4 series, Professor Richard Dawkins challenges what he describes as 'a process of non-thinking called faith'. Dawkins is well known for bringing to a wide audience the complex scientific concepts that underpin evolution. His first book, The Selfish Gene was an international bestseller.

Truth lies and faith
He describes his astonishment that, at the start of the 21st century, religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. Science, based on scepticism, investigation and evidence, must continuously test its own concepts and claims. Faith, by definition, defies evidence: it is untested and unshakeable, and is therefore in direct contradiction with science.

For the rest of the story, click the link above.

KESQ-TV reports that a small high school outside of Bakersfield has jumped into the national debate about whether "intelligent design" belongs in the classroom.

Officials at Frazier Mountain High School in Lebec contend that the class, called "Philosophy of Design," is not being offered as science.

The teacher of the course is Sharon Lemburg. She says in the course syllabus "This class is not meant to guide you into a certain belief, but to allow you to search, become aware of the differences, and gain a better understanding of world views on origins."

This commentary in the Washington Times has some meat to it, which most IDers share: worldview matters. Good job L. Baer!

ARN Coorespondent, Kevin Wirth has posted part two of his analysis of the Dover Decision which takes a look at the False Duality Argument. Scroll down to the table of the document sections and click on the False Duality link.

A debate between two professors of the University of Warwick exploring the issues involved in the debate between intelligent design and evolutionary theory, lasted for just over an hour.

Professor Steve Fuller testified in the Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area case, arguing for the teaching of Intelligent Design. Steve is a member of the Department of Sociology. His research interests include the future of the University and critical intellectuals, the emergence of intellectual property in the information society, the interdisciplinary challenges in the natural and social sciences, the political and epistemological consequences of the new biology.

Professor Jack Cohen is an Honorary Professor of the Department of Mathematics and is an expert in Biological Science.

A few interesting points are brought out in this letter to the editor in the Elmira Star-Gazette regarding the courts handling of religious matters.

Here's how those interested can become an "instant expert" on evolution (Darwinism, Punctuated equilibrium). The guide is offering by the NewSceintist.

It's interesting that there are controversies within the guide, such as the ongoing debate between Natural Selection and some other mechanism. Of course, intelligent design is not allowed because that would be, in their minds, a supernatural explanation.

Again, are we looking for the right answers, or the "right kinds" of answers (materialistic)?

Regarding evolution and religion, if you are unclear on the thoughts and beliefs of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, this interview by Tom Heneghan on Beliefnet will help.