>As a member of the American Scientific Affiliation I'm also somewhat
>puzzled by Howard's reference to "the unhelpful assertion of
>>the American Scientific Affiliation and other old-earth advocates that the
>>young-earth position is by definition unscientific, anti-intellectual, and
>>fundamentalist". The ASA takes no position on the age of the earth or on
>>evolution, and its membership includes young-earth creationists. ASA is
>>committed to being an open forum in which controversial science-faith
>>issues can be debated. I read Clouser's paper, and I'm sure many ASA
>>members were as perturbed by it as Howard was. His view of the creation
>>of Adam for example made me very uncomfortable. That's what happens when
>>you commit to an open forum.
>
The text following the final quotation mark, which begins "The ASA takes no
position ..." is my response. The ">" quotation flags make it look as
though it's quoting Howard. In a private response, Gordie pointed out that
most of the ASA membership takes various old-earth views, so that claiming
the ASA takes no position may be a bit misleading. Gordie is right.
_Officially_ ASA takes no position. But most members are old-earthers
(including theistic evolutionists). Still, the organization does include a
number of young-earthers, and my perception is that the debate is generally
respectful and characterized by Christian love.
Happy New Year, folks
-Bill
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