Susan:
>so is the Pope about to become an atheist? Why is it that Jesuits have been
>teaching evolution in Catholic high schools since the sixties? because they
>had become atheists? I kinda doubt it. The link between evolution and
>relgion is and has always been spurious. Dawkins is an idiot. I know I've
>said that before, but I think it can't be repeated enough. He may be a fine
>zoologist, but philosophically he's an idiot. I find it hard to believe
>Richard fell for his silliness.
Bertvan . Hi Susan,
While disagreeing with both the Pope and Dawkins, I do not regard either as
idiots. If "silliness" were all they had to offer they wouldn't have so many
people in agreement with them. I remind you again, Susan, most IDs do not
disagree with some form of "evolution", it is the specific mechanism of
Darwinism (random mutation and natural selection as an explanation of
nature's complexity) that is being questioned by most.
Susan:
>it is impossible to coerce belief. Copernicus believed the earth revolved
>around the sun. He was coerced into keeping his findings secret until after
>his death (in order to avoid hastening that death), but coercion could not
>change his belief.
Bertvan:
I agree, Susan, no one is going to coerce the beliefs of you, me nor
Copernicus. However, I fear many people say, "I don't understand it, and it
doesn't sound reasonable, but if the experts say so it must be true."
The present debate tells people not all the "experts" are in agreement. I
know you often want to argue, but I never participate in these debates to
change someone's beliefs. The present discussion of ID, and other
alternatives, offers the undecided more choices. I will be content with
whatever diversity of opinion emerges from open debate. Passing laws to
limit how much of the debate school children are allowed to hear would not be
my choice, but I suspect such efforts will prove to be self defeating.
Bertvan
http://members.aol.com/bertvan
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