Hi Brian,
Many so-called creationists accept demonstrable laws of nature. However most
of them have trouble accepting a universe ruled by chance. Frankly, I doubt
chance (lack of plan, purpose or meaning) can ever be demonstrated to be a
law of nature.
The laws of nature were either created according to some complex design, or
they arose by spontaneous generation. (If you can think of a third
alternative, fine.) The "design" option looks more reasonable to me, and
being an agnostic, I can refrain from speculating about any "designer".
Few of us, including scientists, are without preconceptions, but if
someone's driving concern becomes proving one or the other of the above
concepts, they aren't doing good science, and it isn't methodological
naturalism. IMHO
There was a time in the distant past when scientists tried to prove the
existence of God, and were scornful of atheists. During the past century,
some very vocal spokesmen for evolution have appeared intent upon proving
the non-existence of God. Many Darwinists seem to be saying, "We don't know
exactly how it happened, but we know it didn't happen according to any design
or plan." I am distrustful of all conclusions or interpretation of evidence
by any such scientists.
I'm not sure you and I even have a difference of opinion. I am delighted for
the opportunity to express such views without personal attack. Some people
on this list seem respectful of both the views of atheists and theists, but
this is unusual in the present-day public debate over evolution. I wish it
were more common.
I like the following quote offered by Steve Jones:
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"It is as a religion of science that Darwinism chiefly held, and holds men's
minds. The derivation of life, of man, of man's deepest hopes and highest
achievements, from the external and indirect determination of small chance
errors, appears as the very keystone of the naturalistic universe. And the
defense of natural selection appears, therefore, as the defense of their
integrity, the independence, the dignity of science itself." (Grene M., "The
Faith of Darwinism," Encounter, Vol. 74, November 1959, p48)
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