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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.

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.

Tim Woods, of the Waco-Tribune Herald, reports that the school's faculty senate passed a "failure of shared governance" resolution, complaining that Lilley and Provost Randall O'Brien exercised their own judgment in denying tenure to 12 of 30 candidates this spring, in at least some cases overruling University Tenure Committee recommendations.

The resolution goes on to state that "standards in academia provide that the President and Provost should 'concur with the faculty judgment except in rare instances and for compelling reasons which should be stated in detail.' "

The faculty senate also complains there are other university matters where the faculty's voice isn't heard or its recommendations aren't followed.

President John Lilley has not been friendly to ID at BU, and an upcoming Board of Regents meeting could mean he's out.

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For a limited time only save over 50% when you buy this 3-DVD package

One of the criticisms of Ben Stein's movie Expelled is that very little time was spent on the scientific evidence for intelligent design. Of course this was not the purpose of the movie, which instead focused on the need for free inquiry and the rights of scientists, educators and the media to critique prevailing theories of origins and explore scientific alternatives. But for those of you who felt like the little old lady in the old Wendy's commercial wanting to know "Where's the Beef?" we've put together a package of three of our best selling science documentaries on ID at an unbelievable price. Normally these DVDs sell for $25 each, but for a limited time you can get all three for only $35 including shipping--a savings of over 50%. This impressive 3-DVD documentary set by Illustra Media presents a comprehensive, visually stunning and intellectually compelling argument for intelligent design. You can watch samples clips or place your order here.

The critical reviews of the movie Expelled are almost more instructive than the movie itself in demonstrating the absurd lengths to which champions of Darwinism will go to silence, discredit and destroy those who challenge their cherished theory. Perhaps the most stellar example is John Derbyshire's recent review in which he accuses Expelled of being creationist porn that includes dishonest interviews with scientists, and uses stolen video and music clips. Those are pretty heavy charges. Especially for a man who admits he hasn't even seen the film!

Some of Derbyshire's cheap shots are aimed at David Berlinski, who not only has seen the film, but is featured in it. Berlinski is not about to take these charges lying down and delivers Derbyshire the tongue lashing he deserves while setting the record straight in this National Review Online commentary: The Dang Thing: John Derbyshire and the movie he hasn't seen.

Seems a librarian was motivated to gen up a compenhensive index to ID materials. "Consider Intelligent Design" also has blogs. Consider checking out this Web site...

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There is a pretty funny guy at www.whatyououghttoknow.com that has entertaining opinions about lots of stuff like Richard Dawkins and Al Gore. Someone needs to straighten him out on the definition of intelligent design, but other than that, we find him pretty well informed on stuff you ought to know (at least regarding evolution and global warming...we haven't watched all of his stuff). Apparently his goal is to irritate everyone, no matter what your position on origins, and he does a pretty good job of that. We think he's ready for a monologue on the Jay Leno show.

The standard media definition he uses is "Intelligent design is so complex it must have been designed." The actual definition of intelligent design is "The study of patterns in nature that are best explained as the result of intelligence" which is further elaborated in The New World Encylopedia.

The Wall Street Journal reported today (5/2/08, pg A10) on the academic freedom bills sweeping the nation that would protect teachers who want to teach scientific evidence for and against neo-Darwinian evolution. Bills are currently being considered by legislators in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Alabama and Michigan. Some legislative efforts have included private screenings of the documentary Expelled.

The story includes this quote from John West of Discovery Institute:

"It shouldn't be a crime for teachers to give the best evidence for evolutionary theory and then, if they want, spend a day saying, 'Some people are raising questions,'"

and then this curious statement from the opponents of the academic freedom bills:

Evolution's defenders respond that there are no credible scientific critiques of evolution, any more than there are credible alternatives to the theory of gravity.

In a related online article(subscription required), The Wall Street Journal asked the Discovery Institute's John West, a prominent advocate of intelligent design, to list several critiques of evolution that he'd like to see teachers present in class. Then we sought responses from Eric Meikle, who promotes evolution instruction through the National Center for Science Education.

The Fair Use Project of Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society today announced that it is signing on to defend Premise Media's right to use a clip of John Lennon's song "Imagine" in its documentary, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," [www.expelledthemovie.com] for the purposes of commentary and criticism.

The film, released in the United States on April 18, 2008, is about alleged discrimination against people who support alternative theories of evolution such as intelligent design. The song is played for roughly 15 seconds to illustrate and criticize the ideas suggested in it - that the world might be a better place without religion.

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