More Evolution and Intelligent Design

More evolution and intelligent design

Begin with Earth and a few inert ingredients (compliments of a fortunate big bang) add oceans of water (also complimentary), add time (billions of years), add faith (quantum leaps) stirred by the omniscient hand of Natural Selection and the recipe for the first living cell is complete. Allowed a few more billion years of random coincidence and sequential mutation, the single cell becomes a sophisticated amphibian, perhaps a frog. Billions more years and amphibians become complex humans. Still some simpletons observe mans complexity and design and attribute it to an intelligent designer. Federal Judge John Jones decided intelligent design was not science, at least not in public schools of Dover, Pa. He dismissed the testimony of credible microbiologists Michael Behe, Scott Minnich and others as worthless. After all, they admitted that intelligent design presumed an intelligent designer. Smart judges know if God has anything to do with it, its not science and Jones didnt hesitate to say so in his long-winded 139-page ruling. Jones relied upon the ACLU, Southeastern Louisiana University philosophy Professor Dr. Barbara Forrest and others. Visit Fayard Hall on the SLU campus and notice the fliers advertising Forrests Philosophy 314 class, Evolution: Its History & Principles** The double asterisk note reads, ** This course will not debate the status of evolutionary theory. Evolution is the only established scientific explanation of the history of life on earth. The course will be based on acceptance of this explanation. Forrest knows how difficult it is to rationally sell evolution. Its easier to demand lock-step acceptance. In effect, Jones determines that belief in designed humans is belief in a religious fairy tale. On the contrary, belief there was once a frog who after a few billion years of evolution became a handsome prince constitutes irrefutable science. Neither intelligent design nor evolution can be proved or repeated in a laboratory environment. Both require faith to accept. Jones builds a Wall of Protection around evolution ensuring it remains the only federally mandated and federally funded religion taught in the nations public schools. Result: Thou shalt have no other theories before me. This case is not a matter of whether religion will be taught, rather whose religion will be taught. Somehow Jones failed to mention that Forrest has strong religious motives of her own. As reported by David Klinghoffer in the National Review, Professor Forrest has definite beliefs about religion, evident from the fact that she serves on the board of directors of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association, which is an affiliate of American Atheists, and (a) member of the Atheist Alliance International, according to the groups website.

KURT VOSBURG electrical engineering and design Prairieville