Harvard gets to root of ID vs Evolution

[Samara]

Harvard has taken the initiative to once and for all prove that evolution is correct and to put creationists in their place! Hooray! Break out the champange!!!

Link (http://newsfromrussia.com/science/2005/08/15/61281.html)

[Normandy6644]

The problem is that no matter how much evidence they are presented with, creationists (especially the most fundamentalist) will never stop arguing about it. Science does nothing for them because it is based on logic and reason, not just blind faith. I'd like to think it would end it once and for all, at least from an educational standpoint, but I doubt it.

Note that I don't believe this should end with "And thus their is no Creator, no God, nothing except for evolution." That's not the real point. The idea should be to show that this is how life came to be on earth, but as far as the larger questions about God and a universal creator, science cannot answer them and will not attempt to.

[Andromeda321]

My mom saw this this morning and told my sister to think of getting a job in it as she's applying to grad schools for animal behavior anyway. I thought it was funny. :)
In general, however, I don't think it's that great an idea that Harvard is even doing this. This is because it sort of implies that up until now the "science side" hasn't *really* had its act together and we were just sort of being holier-than-thou but we're in the same boat as the ID camp. Now I know this isn't the case, but I have the nasty feeling that it will be used by some as an example for what they're saying. :-?

[George]

There will always be a "tachocline" between the world of science and religion/philosophy. Here, like the forming of solar magnetic tornados, ideological stresses create disturbing vortexes because religion is stirred to make their mark on the surface of science and human direction. [Obviously, I'm looking for an anology, or simile. :-? ]

I suspect some of the ID camp has had personal experiences which are extremely convincing to them that "God is, God loves and God can be found". Their conviction that the Bible is correct encourages them to make a determination as to the meaning of scripture which deals with our world and mankind's forthcoming. They feel compelled to be leaders which will bridge this growing gap between science and religion - "the tachocline".

Although I haven't seen Harvard's efforts, I can't imagine they can throw enough water on this fire which is faith-based an unquenchable at it's haert. Hopefully, they can at least demonstrate it is not good science.

I wish ID would take their scientific efforts and reinterpret scriptures with the enrichment of science, instead of against it. The shakey path ID appears to be on will only worsen people's opinion of their faith.

[Admitedly, I may be more weird than they as I believe a compatible overlap may exist which allows astronomy and evolution to fit within, at least, one plausible scenario. This is the "high road" they should be on.]

[edit: Smara, I somehow missed the link and should have read it first. :-? (I am struggling without glasses). I'll add...Having read it, Harvard will likely find God is not detectable by measurement by applying all the known laws of science (which many will assume were originated by God). Maybe then reinterpreation will be in order, albeit metaphorical thought might swell like a balloon. :) ]

[Arneb]

These creatinonists just won't care - They are RIGHT, don't you get it? Science has to work itself out to match what the Bible says, not the other way round!

So, whatever the project finds, they will never stop. You know, they can alway just ignore the evidence broght before them. They always have.

What's more, why the initiative - Is anyone aware here of a single valid observation plausibly supporting creationism/ID vs. evolution? There is no real scientific debate which would have to be decided, methinks.

Still, it is a good sign to see that good money goes into a project aiming for enlightenment od an interested public by means of good research.

[Moose]

The Harvard study won't hurt, but it won't help either. The debate has been over for a good fifty years or more.

ID is brewed from the same dry fig leaf as creationism. An "aromatic" blend of dishonesty and obfuscation. Heat to taste. Serves nobody.

[Normandy6644]

My mom saw this this morning and told my sister to think of getting a job in it as she's applying to grad schools for animal behavior anyway. I thought it was funny. :)
In general, however, I don't think it's that great an idea that Harvard is even doing this. This is because it sort of implies that up until now the "science side" hasn't *really* had its act together and we were just sort of being holier-than-thou but we're in the same boat as the ID camp. Now I know this isn't the case, but I have the nasty feeling that it will be used by some as an example for what they're saying. :-?

Haha, yeah. It's like, "Don't worry scientific community! Harvard to the rescue!" :wink:

[Taks]

you can't "unteach" ideology. too bad...

taks

[Maksutov]

Not everyone from Harvard is helping. Here's one Harvard graduate who is definitely being a hindrance, along with his buddy who graduated from Yale. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050819/ap_on_go_co/frist_intelligent_design) These persons are giving the Ivy League a bad name. You have to love the photo the AP used, making look as though old Bill is "in deep thought". It's deep all right, but it's not thought.

A paraphrase of an old saying appears to be quite applicable here, "The Frist shall be lost."

:roll: