Until I read something that FMAJ said in passing I had heretofore thought
that "The Wedge" was a chapter in Phillip Jonson's newest book (it may
still be). I did a search on the web for "wedge, discovery institute" and
got this link:
http://www.infidels.org/secular_web/feature/1999/wedge.html
"A recently-circulated position paper of The Center for the Renewal
of Science & Culture (CRSC) reveals an ambitious plan to replace
the current naturalistic methodology of science with a theistic
alternative called "intelligent design."
It contains many interesting quotes from the original Wedge document:
"Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the
materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with
Christian and theistic convictions."
the document outlines the propaganda campaign and who it is aimed at:
"Alongside a focus on influential opinion-makers, we
also seek to build up a popular base of support among our natural
constituency, namely, Christians. We will do this primarily through
apologetics seminars. We intend these to encourage and equip believers
with new scientific evidence's that support the faith, as well as to
"popularize" our ideas in the broader culture."
and this should be of particluar interest to Stephen Jones and Bertvan,
since they seem to be totally unaware of this particular feature of the
Discovery Institute/ID agenda:
"We will also pursue possible
legal assistance in response to resistance to the integration of design
theory into public school science curricula. The attention, publicity, and
influence of design theory should draw scientific materialists into open
debate with design theorists, and we will be ready. With an added
emphasis to the social sciences and humanities, we will begin to address
the specific social consequences of materialism and the Darwinist theory
that supports it in the sciences."
I especially enjoyed the last paragraph. It sounds downright Unitarian:
"Science need not contradict religious faith, although its findings have
sometimes
exposed superstitions such as the geocentric theory, a world-wide catastrophic
flood, and Tillich's God "up there." The real irony in all of this is that
the Discovery
Institute's well-laid plans are doomed to failure from the outset. Even if they
succeeded brilliantly in manufacturing the consent needed to replace
science with
theism, it would only be a matter of time before we began to question the world
around us and to turn once again to science as a constructive means for finding
answers to our questions. If all of our knowledge were wiped away tomorrow and
replaced with theistic dogma, another Thales or an Aristotle would come
along to
begin the process anew. Mephistopheles thinks he holds us tight with religious
illusion, but human beings are greater than the gods and devils who would
keep us
in ignorance. Science is our most reliable tool for understanding the
universe in
which we live. "And I by the power of thought," Pascal wrote, "may
comprehend the
universe."
Susan
----------
The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our
actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only
morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.
--Albert Einstein
http://www.telepath.com/susanb/
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