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By KURT LOFT
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA Where did we come from and how did we get here?
These questions have dogged philosophers, scientists and theologians for centuries, and fueled debates over the ideas of the 19th century naturalist, Charles Darwin. Those ideas will be scrutinized again during “Darwin or Design: Resolving the Conflict,†a public forum sponsored by a local group skeptical of the teachings of evolution.
“We are challenging Darwin,†said Rich Akin, the chief officer of Physician and Surgeons for Scientific Integrity, a Clearwater-based advocacy organization.
The group questions the concept that random mutation and natural selection account for the origins and complexity of life. Its members believe Darwinian evolution isn’t a viable theory and should not be taught in schools without opposing views.
“We want to get out that message,†Akin said of tonight’s forum. “If we are a joke, say we are a joke, but at least look at the evidence, which is overwhelmingly contra-Darwin.â€
Darwin proposed the theory of evolution based on natural selection, that natural variations within a species can lead to new species. When Darwin published “On the Origin of Species†in 1859, he turned traditional views of biology upside down. His theory also became a foundation of modern science and thought.
It recently has been challenged by a movement called Intelligent Design, which states that an intelligent source played a part in creating life. At its heart is the Wedge Strategy, a manifesto that encourages followers to “defeat the destructive moral and cultural legacies of science and replace them with religious explanations.â€
Intelligent Design is a religious doctrine that has no place in the science curriculums of public schools and universities because it has no basis in science, said Skip Pierce, a profession of biology and former chairman of the University of South Florida biology department.
“You can believe whatever religion you want,†he said. “Just don’t do science from it.â€
Pierce also challenged the premise of those behind tonight’s forum.
“It’s a special interest group,†he said. “They have only one thing in mind: to prove that Intelligent Design has credibility.â€
Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com
DARWIN OR DESIGN: RESOLVING THE CONFLICT
WHEN: 7 tonight
WHERE: Sun Dome, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
HOW MUCH: $5; (813) 974-3111
The belief in “intelligent design” is utterly unsupported by any verifiable, objective evidence. It belongs in the same drawer as astrology, tarot cards, and telephone psychics. All the claims of ID proponents have long ago been refuted. If you are looking for real, scientific answers about the origin and evolution of life on Earth, www.talkorigins.org is an excellent place to begin your search.
Pseudoscience, like creationism and intelligent design, has no place in the science classroom at any level.
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Posted by George Dennis, Albuquerque, NM on 09/28 at 09:35 PM
I am strongly in favor of the teaching of true science which, if you take a look at Dr. Walt Brown’s book In The Beginning - Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood, provides innumerable scientific evidence for the refuting of Darwin’s theory of natural selection. For example, the vast amount of information in DNA and the forming of proteins, the building blocks of all cells, could not statistically form by random events in nature. Another great example is the metamorphosis of most (87%) insects (p.15). Dr. Brown provides excellent references for all his material. I would highly recommend every science teacher in every school read this book and maybe then we can change the teaching of origins back to good science based on the evidence we have. Evolution theory doesn’t even qualify as a “scientific theory” because there is no way to test it’s hypotheses.
Thank-you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Sincerely,
George Dennis