In the News

Dr. Steve Fuller was interviewed by Zoe Corbyn of the Education Guardian (UK). Fuller is a professor of sociology at Warwick University. Last October, in Dover, Pennsylvania, he gave evidence in court as an expert witness in support of intelligent design.

Read the story about Fuller, a secular humanist.

Here are a couple of letters in the LDT with regard to Dr. Stephen C. Meyer's opinion article.

Scroll down a bit in the Telegraph to read.

Mark Lombard writes about the director of the Vatican Observatory in Catholic Online.

Jesuit Father George V. Coyne is a very intelligent man with some odd thoughts.

He claims "Science is and should be seen as 'completely neutral' on the issue of the theistic or atheistic implications of scientific results." He believes "Science and religion are totally separate pursuits."

I suppose these two statements could be true in a complete vacuum.
It's safe to say he doesn't believe in following the evidence wherever it leads.

The Galesburg (IL) Register-Mail reports on an upcoming conference, featuring Dr. Phillip E. Johnson He will be the primary speaker Feb. 16-19 during The Case for Intelligent Design Conference.

Johnson's visit is sponsored by Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St. and the Knox College InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The Intelligent Design Conference events will take place at Bethel Baptist Church and on the campus of Knox College. All events are free and open to the public.

Visit the link above for more information.

From the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies comes this piece on the miraculous design capabilities of "Mom Nature". Given matter, enough time, and blind chance, natural selection can do its magic and anything can pop-up. Funny how they cannot get rid of that nasty word "design" from their vocabulary.

Vatican Radio reports on a conference on the controversy between Intelligent Design and evolution theories. Mark Ryland of the Discovery Institute was there and you can hear his comments.

An excellent Pro-ID opinion piece by Joe Manzari appears on the StabroekNews Web site.

Betsy Mason of the Contra Coast Times does a story on ID and its proponents and opponents. Phil Johnson and Dennis Wagner (ARN) are quoted on the ID side.

Chris Christoff and Lori Higgins of the Detroit Free Press report on a proposed law to create a rigorous Michigan state high school curriculum.

Bill sponsor Rep. Brian Palmer, R-Romeo, said he had no intent to insert the intelligent design issue into the bill introduced earlier this week.

However, some educators said that one sentence in the bill could ignite heated debate. The bill would require science classes to critically examine scientific theories "using relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and formulate arguments for and against those theories."

An opinion by Stephen C. Meyer of the Discovery Institute is published in the London Daily Telegraph.

The Discovery Institute analyzes Kurt Vonnegut's statements on a recent NPR broadcast.

When commenting on scientists, he said, "They say, you know, about evolution, it surely happened because their fossil record shows that. But look, my body and your body are miracles of design. Scientists are pretending they have the answer as how we got this way when natural selection couldn’t possibly have produced such machines".

The BBC reports that less than half of Britons believe in Darwinism. To view the rest of the poll, anc commentary read the article.

A story in the BYU NewsNet by Dylan Roberts gives the latest information on Utah politician's efforts to change policy on the teaching of ID.

An editorial in the Contra Costa Times (near San Francisco) wonders why The El Tejon School District made such a radical decision to never ever again try to teach ID or creationism in a philosophy class.

Might they be afraid of the forced "closing of the American mind" by the AUSCS, ACLU and the like?

The complexity and efficiency of molecular machines is mindbending. Take a look for yourself in ScienceDaily about work at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Creed
by Steve Turner

We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin

We believe everything is OK

as long as you don't hurt anyone

to the best of your definition of hurt,

and to the best of your knowledge.

We believe in sex before, during, and

after marriage.

We believe in the therapy of sin.

We believe that adultery is fun.

We believe that sodomy’s OK.

We believe that taboos are taboo.

We believe that everything's getting better

despite evidence to the contrary.

The evidence must be investigated

And you can prove anything with evidence.

We believe there's something in horoscopes

UFO's and bent spoons.

Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,

Mohammed, and ourselves.

He was a good moral teacher though we think

His good morals were bad.

We believe that all religions are basically the same-

at least the one that we read was.

They all believe in love and goodness.

They only differ on matters of creation,

sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.

We believe that after death comes the Nothing

Because when you ask the dead what happens

they say nothing.

If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its

compulsory heaven for all

excepting perhaps

Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Kahn

We believe in Masters and Johnson

What's selected is average.

What's average is normal.

What's normal is good.

We believe in total disarmament.

We believe there are direct links between warfare and

bloodshed.

Americans should beat their guns into tractors .

And the Russians would be sure to follow.

We believe that man is essentially good.

It's only his behavior that lets him down.

This is the fault of society.

Society is the fault of conditions.

Conditions are the fault of society.

We believe that each man must find the truth that

is right for him.

Reality will adapt accordingly.

The universe will readjust.

History will alter.

We believe that there is no absolute truth

excepting the truth

that there is no absolute truth.

We believe in the rejection of creeds,

And the flowering of individual thought.

If chance be

the Father of all flesh,

disaster is his rainbow in the sky

and when you hear

State of Emergency!

Sniper Kills Ten!

Troops on Rampage!

Whites go Looting!

Bomb Blasts School!

It is but the sound of man

worshipping his maker.

Steve Turner, (English journalist), "Creed," his satirical poem on the modern mind. Taken from Ravi Zacharias’ book Can Man live Without God? Pages 42-44

NPR presents an interview with Kurt Vonnegut. The surprising comments come after about 4 minutes into the dialogue.

Steve Eighinger of the The Quincy (IL) Herald-Whig reports on a movement of pastors.

More than 10,000 pastors nationwide have signed "The Clergy Letter" of support for Evolution Sunday Feb. 12, a day designed to bring attention to a movement that believes there is a way to bridge the gap between the theory of evolution and creation theology.

The Rev. Wally Carlson of Melrose Chapel United Methodist Church states, "Evolution can only go so far, and that is where faith comes in. No one really knows what is in that gray area in between the two."

Of course, one must ask what Rev. Carlson and the movement means by "evolution", since Darwinian theory allows only materialistic causes with regard to the origin and "advance" of life forms.

For more on the "Clergy Letter", click HERE.

Reviewed by Dennis Wagner

Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory and author Dan Brown spun a gem that started a trend of religious-mystery thriller novels with his fictional book The Da Vinci Code. By the end of 2005 the book had sold over 25 million copies worldwide in just four years, and a major motion picture, based on the book, and directed by Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman, is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures in May 2006.

I love the opportunity Dan Brown has created with The Da Vinci Code to strike up a conversation with friends, family, and total strangers about religion, art, and history. But just how much of The Da Vinci Code is fact and how much is fiction? In his book review for the Boston Globe, David Mehegan states “On his website and in interviews, Brown has not disavowed any of the history in the book. However, his foreword says, ‘All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate,’ which would seem to mean that everything else is freely invented….Written in standard thriller style, with exotic settings, breathless chases, amazing escapes, and sudden plot reversals, The Da Vinci Code is as much fun as a James Bond movie and about as believable.”

However, an entire tourist industry has sprung up around the European locations described in the book, and tour guides are reporting that visitors frequently insist that everything in the book is 100 percent fact. If you want to be part of the cultural conversation, that is sure to intensify when the movie is released in May 2006, you need to watch this lecture by noted theologian and author, Dr. W. Ward Gasque.

Just how many of the “facts” in The Da Vinci Code are actually true? Have you been itching to know whether the Priori of Sion has really been a centuries-old closely guarded secret that only Dan Brown has been able to uncover? Or perhaps you are more interested in the accuracy of Dan Brown’s artistic knowledge. Did Leonardo really paint in a woman as the twelfth disciple? If not the art, then perhaps the theology behind the book caught your attention with the mentioning of the Gnostic gospels and Mary Magdalene as the head of the original church. Did Jesus marry and have a child, and are his physical descendants alive in the world today? Whatever your question may be about the “facts” behind this “fictional” work, this lecture will most likely address it.

Ward Gasque thoroughly covers the historical people, places, and ideas in this lecture, laying out the evidence in a straightforward manner and giving the viewer the final say on how the evidence should be interpreted. For instance, did Leonardo’s journals contain secret codes and messages? Gasque explains that Leonardo’s journals were written in common Italian, but from right to left, instead of the opposite method employed today. This is logical seeing as Leonardo was left handed. His journals are still on display today and can be read easily with the help of a bathroom mirror, but no secret codes or messages have been uncovered in his journals. Along with the hard evidence, Gasque also appeals to the viewer’s common sense with logical arguments as to why a Catholic conspiracy as offered by Dan Brown would not exist. One such argument is that the Catholic Church was not even prominent in the first few centuries. The Eastern Church was the main focus of the early Christian movement, and therefore would have already possessed any information that the Catholic Church attempted to hide. Even if you haven’t read The Da Vinci Code, this lecture may prove quite fascinating and enlightening for it’s in-depth look at a broad range of historical subjects. The video ends with a short question and answer period by the audience.

I would encourage you to read the book, watch the movie, watch this lecture by Ward Gasque, and then strike up a conversation with those around you about the significance of the story. Dan Brown has raised the issues. It’s up to you to continue the conversation.

Order your copy of The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?

In Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: God, Science, Politics and Your School, airing on Nickelodeon, Sunday, Jan. 22, 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), award-winning journalist Linda Ellerbee and Nick News take a look at the on-going controversy surrounding the teaching of the theory of intelligent design alongside the theory of evolution in public school science classes.

Mark this on your calendars. Among those ID proponents interviewed are Michael Behe (PA) and John Calvert (KS).

If you happen to be in Rome next Thursday, check this out:

The Vatican Forum is pleased to invite you to a lecture and discussion on:

Intelligent Design, Evolution, and the Church

with Mark Ryland, Vice President, The Discovery Institute, and Fr. Rafael Pascual, LC, Director, Science and Faith Institute, Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum

Thursday, 26 January, 2006

18,00-20,00

Centro Russia Ecumenica

141 Borgo Pio

Rome

What is Intelligent Design—a scientific theory, a philosophical theory, or both? Does it contradict the theory of evolution? What does the Catholic Church teach about evolution, creationism, and intelligent design? Two preeminent experts in the field of faith and science will address these issues and the current controversy surrounding our knowledge of the origin and nature of life.

Event information: vaticanforum@yahoo.com

USA Today, and probably hundreds of other papers around the world, picked up this story.

The author, Fiorenzo Facchini, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Bologna, laid out the scientific rationale for Darwin's theory of evolution, saying that in the scientific world, biological evolution "represents the interpretative key of the history of life on Earth." Sounds like a baldface assertion.

He lamented that certain American "creationists" had brought the debate back to the "dogmatic" 1800s, and said their arguments weren't science but ideology. Odd, but Darwinists seem to be dogmatic in the 21st century.

Can Darwinian evolution be guided by God? Not according to the strict definition of Darwinism. Is there a self-organizing principle front-loaded into the cosmos by God, or by "whatever". Only in the minds of some. It is a bit confusing.

If ID makes headway in the public school system of the U.S., this may be the preferred tactic of engagement, if ID is not found "unconstitutional".

As reported by Scott Elliot, in the Dayton Daily News, the authors of a recent study who gave Ohio a "B" for science standards said they will change the grade to "F" if an intelligent design lesson plan is not dropped.

Paul Gross, the lead writer of a report by the Fordham Institute, which rated the science standards for all 50 states, said it turned out to be a mistake for his group to expect Ohio's intelligent design lesson plan would be more scientific.

"Creationism-inspired 'critical analysis' of evolutionary biology — as has been shown over and over again in the scientific literature, and recently in a Pennsylvania federal court — is neither serious criticism nor serious analysis," he said.

"Darwinists must be an endangered species. How else to explain their 80-year need for court protection to ensure their survival?"

With this provocative beginning, to some, Barney Brenner opines on the Human Events Web site.

"The same ACLU that once advocated for free and open discussion in schools is working to see it stifled today."

One of the questions that ID proponents must answer to the satisfaction of most is "What is ID?" Is it religion or science. And, if it is science, as we believe it is, does it better explain the universe we discover, regardless of whether the cosmos came from material causes or non-material causes. After all, we are seeking the Truth of Reality.

A blog on Townhall.com comments on Darwin's Theory and ID.

At times, it's good to see how the other side presents its side in the comments. Find the assertions, innuendos, etc. and ask yourself how you would answer in a gentle and respectful manner.

Fox News reports that under legal pressure, a rural school district Tuesday canceled an elective philosophy course on "intelligent design."

A group of parents had sued the El Tejon school system last week, accusing it of violating the constitutional separation of church and state.

Even though the Discovery Institute recommended a re-packaging of the course, the board decided to give up.

This decision shows that the fallout from the Kitzmiller v. Dover case is ongoing and significant. Those in El Tejon probably knew that even if they changed the course, they ran the risk of another legal challenge.

A point to take away is that this course was a PHILOSOPHY course and was not REQUIRED to be taken by any student. This shows that many opponents of ID will stop at nothing short of full censorship of non-materialistic ideas in public schools.

A letter written by a Discovery Institute attorney says: "The title and nature of this course are problematic and appear to misrepresent the content of the course and intelligent design." The letter later urges the district to: "either reformulate the course by removing the young earth creationist materials or retitle the course as a course not focused on intelligent design."

Karen Bair, of the Rock Hill Herald, reports that ID is unlikely to reach SC public school soon any time soon. State Sen. Mike Fair has been pushing for the change, but has met stiff resistance.

Frank E. Lockwood And Greg Kocher, writers for the Lexington Herald-Leader, tell the story of origin teaching in KY.

An equivocation in the definition of "evolution" is made, when it is defined simply as "change over time".

Surprising to many, the story points out that "since 1990, Kentucky law has allowed educators to teach both evolution and 'the theory of creation as presented in the Bible.'"

Roger Scruton of The Spectator (UK) writes on the Richard Dawkins theory of 'meme', among other things.

You may need to go through a registration process, but it's worth it.

Joe Sobran opines on the vitriol, taunts, and incivility of comments from the other side in the ID v. Darwinism debate.

It should remind us to rise above the fray, and engage with the opposition with gentleness and respect.

There has been much misinformation spread regarding the Kansas Science Standards adopted in 2005. Visit the Web site above for information and FAQs.

Richard Piatt of KSL NewRadio reports that Sen. Chris Buttars has a bill to require 'intelligent design' theory to be taught along side evolution in public schools.

KSL's poll shows 66 percent of the public says it should. 30 percent say it should not. Those voters draw the line at stopping the teaching of evolution. 71 percent say they oppose an evolution theory teaching ban.

Ryan Alessi, reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, writes a story on Gov. Ernie Fletcher's State of the Commonwealth address. No subject sparked more conversation and curiosity than his endorsement of "intelligent design."

In five short sentences near the end of his speech, Fletcher said Kentucky school districts have the freedom to teach intelligent design if they want.

Henry Weinstein of the LA Times reports on a lawsuit filed by the parents of students in the small Tehachapi mountain community of Lebec on Tuesday challenging the teaching of "intelligent design" in a California public school.

This is not a science course, but rather a philosophy course. That doesn't seem to matter to opponents of ID. They want ID censored no matter what.

Comcast News picks up on a story by AP writer Kimberly Hefling on the "tightrope" that Sen. Rick Santorum is walking with regard to ID and his re-election bid.

Actually, Santorum has been consistent in his approach, being upset that the Dover controversy ever went to the court.

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.

On the EvolutionNews Web site, this analysis of the decision is eye-opening.

Aaron Foley, reporter for the Jackson Citizen Patriot, writes that Aaron J. Miller, a physics professor at Albion College, presented "Intelligent Design: Science or Religion?" one of the lectures offered by the Albion Academy for Lifelong Learning, a senior learning institute sponsored by Albion College.

Intelligent design is seen as a third alternative to the beginnings of life.

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has grabbed a political "hot potato". Read the story in the Austin American-Statesman. You will need to register wil the paper.

In PNAS, this article shows that the minimal life form is quite complex, even moreso than previously expected. Click link above, and click "begin manual download".

Isn't Natural Selection a marvelous mechanism!

ARN Coorespondent, Kevin Wirth, has been wading through the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision on Intelligent Design and has posted the first installment of his in-depth look at what went down in Dover. We will keep you posted as new installments are made available.

This is the last in a three-part series of blogs by Dr. Al Alschuler on the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision. It appears on the University of Chicago Law School Web site.

A piece by Jay Richards and Jonathan Witt appears on the EvolutionNews Web site.

Richards and Witt give two examples of ID claims that can be empirically tested and falsified.

A preprint from Brad Monton, a young philosopher of science at the University of Kentucky, will be of interest. It appears on the PhilSci Web site.

Sarah Price Brown, of Beliefnet, reports on the stir causes by IDEA clubs on university campuses.

Mariah Blake of the Miami New Times reports on the Miami International Conference on Torah and Science, which ran from December 13 to 15 and was hosted by Florida International University's religious studies department.

The teaching of Intelligent Design was vigorously debated.

William Dembski was a speaker.

D. Eric Schansberg is professor of economics at Indiana University Southeast and an adjunct scholar at the Acton Institute.

He comments on the recent development from Dover PA on the Acton Institute Web site.

Andrew Cline, editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester, N.H., writes in the op-ed section of the Baltimore Sun.

The title above says volumes.

Two new articles on the CreationSafari Headlines Web site are eye-openers.

The first looks at the fine-tuning of the cosmos to support stars, planets, galaxies, life, etc. Of course, this fact causes materialists to assert multiverses (among other tenets of faith) as the "first necessary cause" of our home.

Secondly, the most basic life form possible, is more complex than previously thought.

Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes in Crosswalk.com on Daniel Dennett and his ideas, among other things.

Mohler remarks that "Dennett, along with his colleague Richard Dawkins, uses the reality of complexity and apparent design to argue against a designer. In one sense, Dennett simply turns the idea of design on its head, arguing that greater design means, in effect, less proof of a designer".

Read the article for more insights from Mohler.

This story from AP holds no surprises regarding the Dover School District.

Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum weighs in on the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision and the judge on townhall.com.

Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel reports on Gov. Jeb Bush's view on the debate in public schools between Darwinism and ID.

SciencdDaily reports that a single unifying physics theory can essentially describe how animals of every ilk, from flying insects to fish, get around. Researchers at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering and Pennsylvania State University have found that all animals bear the same stamp of physics in their design.

Interesting that the word "design" is used.

Constructal theory could be used by Darwinists to assert that all creatures came from a common ancestor, or by ID or Creationism to show that the designer created the physics and unified body plans to optimize locomotion.