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Bertvan@aol.com
Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:56:15 EST

Discussions about Darwinism and Design will always deteriorate into arguments
about the existence or non-existence of God. It is a debate between
materialism and all other philosophies. Design is a concept (probably not
provable, but I see lots evidence for it) which may or may not be useful to
scientists. Most religious people, including Christians, have no objection
to the concept that life consists of an extremely complex design, each piece
performing a function. As an agnostic, I am not emotionally committed to any
scientific theory. Many scientists admit the origin and history of life is
mostly unknown-a mystery. The only people who feel threatened by a concept
of design are atheists, and their defense of any theory which specifically
excludes the possibility of a "designer", or purpose in nature, is
passionate. Neither the presence nor absence of design and purpose in
nature is likely to be provable. While the scientific evidence is my reason
for being skeptical of neo Darwinism, I applaud the way the issue is being
defined in philosophical terms. For too long Darwinists have gotten by with
declaring they have no objection to religion, as long as everyone concedes
that nature is an accident--without plan, purpose or design. When the public
finally realizes this is a debate about materialism, Darwinists will be less
successful in portraying their critics as anti-intellectual religious
fanatics.

Bertvan