Monthly Archives: February 2009
Usefulness of Chance & Necessity
| February 28, 2009 | Posted by Dave S. under Intelligent Design |
Over on Panda’s Thumb Arthur Hunt protests Phil Skell’s essay in Forbes where Skell describes the theory of evolution as not being useful to modern experimental biology. Hunt goes on to give an example in how it is useful. But Hunt plays the old bait and switch game. Every honest person with some knowledge of… more
Plantinga versus Dennett at the APA
| February 28, 2009 | Posted by Paul Nelson under Intelligent Design |
Here’s a fascinating, anonymous account of the recent (Saturday, February 21, 2009) debate between Alvin Plantinga and Daniel Dennett at the Central Division of the American Philosophical Association (APA), in Chicago. The account is anonymous because the writer wishes to protect his academic career from discrimination — itself a fact worth noting about the current… more
Ruse / Dembski Debate at the University of Oklahoma
| February 28, 2009 | Posted by johnnyb under Intelligent Design |
Tonight at the University of Oklahoma there was a debate between Michael Ruse and William Dembski. I must say, it was one of the most cordial events I’ve been at, especially compared to last week’s event, where the question and answer session got pretty ugly. The topic was whether or not Intelligent Design was science.… more
Tony Campolo – What’s wrong with Darwinism?
| February 27, 2009 | Posted by Steno under Intelligent Design |
Influential Christian preacher Tony Campolo highlights some of the racial assumptions that were part of Darwin’s theory. Writing in Christian Today, ‘What’s wrong with Darwinism?’, 27th February 2009 he draws attention to the full title of Darwin’s first book ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races… more
Dr. Death (Eric Pianka) and His Disciples at it Again!
| February 27, 2009 | Posted by DonaldM under Intelligent Design |
Perhaps you recall the outrageous statements by Dr. Eric Pianka of U. of Texas at Austin. Well, he’s still preaching his wacky “humans are the root of all evil” propaganda and enlisting the aid of some of his unfortunate students. (unfortunate because they’ve fallen under the influence of this nutty professor). Below is a video… more
Increased Oxygen = Increased Biological Information, Which Explains the Cambrian Explosion
| February 27, 2009 | Posted by GilDodgen under Intelligent Design |
This is the kind of reasoning we can expect from “scientists” like Hillis, in an attempt to explain away the Cambrian explosion. For more, go here. Is there no shame left among Darwinists who propose such absurd ideas, or do they actually believe such transparent fantasies? more
Avi Davis interviews John Sullivan, John West, and William Dembski
| February 26, 2009 | Posted by William Dembski under Intelligent Design |
John Sullivan (of EXPELLED), John West (of Discovery), and I appeared yesterday for an hour-long radio program with Avi Davis. Go here to listen to the interview: www.blogtalkradio.com/WesternWordRadio more
FAQ 3 Open for Comment
| February 26, 2009 | Posted by Barry Arrington under Intelligent Design |
3] Intelligent Design does not carry out or publish scientific research Judge Jones of Dover and those who follow him are simply wrong: despite opposition and harassment, there is a significant and growing body of ID-supportive research and peer-reviewed scientific publications. (For instance, the Discovery Institute maintains a list of such research-based publications here. [In… more
Yet another coffee break! Distant iceball Pluto rescued by US state senator …
| February 25, 2009 | Posted by O'Leary under Intelligent Design |
Mark Steyn, invincible Canadian humourist, writes that in Illinois, Like some sort of rulers of the universe, state lawmakers are considering restoring little Pluto’s planetary status, casting aside the scientific community’s 2006 decision downgrading the distant ice ball. An Illinois Senate committee on Thursday unanimously supported planet Pluto and declaring March 13 “Pluto Day…” The… more
One for the “unabashed bigotry” files
| February 24, 2009 | Posted by O'Leary under Intelligent Design |
At Britain’s Daily Telegraph, Christopher Booker assures us that he is familiar with “the unabashed bigotry of staunch Darwinists.” Lots of us are. They glory in their ignorance. Mr. Booker writes, As an old hand at tangling with Darwinists, I was well aware that a howl of furious protests would greet my item last week… more
Coffee break: Billions of Earths in our galaxy?
| February 24, 2009 | Posted by O'Leary under Intelligent Design |
According to some, our galaxy has billions of Earths. Think what that will do for the slumping real estate market … So far, telescopes have been able to detect just over 300 planets outside our Solar System. Very few of these would be capable of supporting life, however. Most are gas giants like our Jupiter,… more
Phil Skell writing for Forbes says Theory of Evolution worse than useless
| February 24, 2009 | Posted by Dave S. under Intelligent Design |
Nothing much for me to add since I entirely agree with Skell. I note that the comments following the Forbes article fail to include any substantive dispute – just the usual ad hominem and hand waving. The Dangers Of Overselling Evolution Philip S. Skell, 02.23.09, 01:47 PM EST Focusing on Darwin and his theory doesn’t… more
[Off Topic] Newest Book: TOUGH-MINDED CHRISTIANITY
| February 23, 2009 | Posted by William Dembski under Intelligent Design |
My newest book, co-edited with Thomas Schirrmacher, has just been published and is now available for immediate shipping from Amazon.com (go here). It is an extensive collection of essays in honor of John Warwick Montgomery. JWM’s no-nonsense brand of apologetics, in which he was willing to put everything on the table for discussion and to… more
Pop quiz (no cheating!)
| February 23, 2009 | Posted by Paul Nelson under Biology, Evolution, Intelligent Design |
To take the quiz — or to play along — here’s your background information, and no cheating by looking into cell biology textbooks or using Google or PubMed. 1. Topoisomerases are essential enzymes, found in all organisms, which solve topological problems arising from the double-helical structure of DNA. Now, assume: 2. All organisms on Earth… more
STATEMENT BY IOWA FACULTY ON HF 183: THE EVOLUTION ACADEMIC FREEDOM ACT
| February 23, 2009 | Posted by DonaldM under Biology, Courts, Creationism, Darwinism, Evolution, Eyes Rolling, Intelligent Design, Science |
A recent bill introduced into the Iowa State Legislature has prompted the defenders of Darwinian Dogma to issue the following statement: STATEMENT BY IOWA FACULTY ON HF 183: THE EVOLUTION ACADEMIC FREEDOM ACT We, the undersigned members of institutions of higher learning in Iowa, urge our legislators to reject passage of “The Evolution Academic Freedom… more
“Darwin’s Evolving Legacy”
| February 23, 2009 | Posted by William Dembski under Intelligent Design |
Southern Methodist University is doing its share to celebrate Darwin’s bicentennial. Look here and note especially the offering in late September: http://smu.edu/smunews/darwin/events.asp more
Is ID Going Mainstream in the Popular Culture?
| February 22, 2009 | Posted by Alfred Russel under Intelligent Design |
ID often seems to be a perspective that is associated with science, philosophy, academics, and people who deal in ideas for a living. For its supporters it can sometimes feel like a lonely road, and for its opponents it can appear as an irritating, but minority view. But is it possible that ID is breaking… more
Edward Sisson at SSRN
| February 22, 2009 | Posted by William Dembski under Intelligent Design |
‘He Who Can Learn Things that are Difficult, and Not Easy for Man to Know, is Wise:’ An Address to the Students in MIT 10-250, Caltech 201 E. Bridge, and Similar Lecture Halls: Minds that are the Greatest Natural Resource in the World Edward H. Sisson papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1328666 January 15, 2009 Abstract: How human beings came… more
Angry response to Christopher Booker in the UK Telegraph
| February 22, 2009 | Posted by Steno under Intelligent Design |
Christopher Booker, writing in last week’s Sunday Telegraph, highlights some of the abuse he received for questioning the validity of Darwin’s theory in an earlier article. Christopher Booker – Why do people think Darwinism is a perfect creation 14/02/09. He writes; “As an old hand at tangling with Darwinists, I was well aware that a… more
An Open Challenge to Neo-Darwinists: What Would It Take to Falsify Your Theory?
| February 22, 2009 | Posted by Thomas Cudworth under Intelligent Design |
A criticism which neo-Darwinists have frequently made of Intelligent Design is that it is not a “scientific” theory. ID, they say, explains the bacterial flagellum by saying “God [sic] made it”. However, they complain, it doesn’t say when God made it, how God made it, what material substrate God was acting on when he made… more