[2006/02/20] Alliance for Science – or for Silence?
Alliance for Science – or for Silence? 02/20/2006 The American Association for the Advancement of Science had an unusual item on their agenda for their annual meeting in St. Louis: fight intelligent design. The St. Louis Dispatch reported that while churches were preaching the gospel Sunday morning, the AAAS was preaching battle tactics. According to the article, though, they were preaching to the converted.
Presenters at the conference said the battle is far from over. On Sunday morning, they announced the formation of a new organization of scientists, scientific groups and supporters – the Alliance for Science – to fight what they see as an assault on science from religious conservatives. The new organization aims to create graduate fellowships, increase funding for research, train math and science teachers, and build tax incentives for research and development, said co-chairman Paul Forbes. Earlier in the conference, which began last week, a panel outlined tactics that public school teachers and scientists can take in teaching concepts such as intelligent design and creationism – and how to keep them out of the classroom. They talked of using the media, educating voters and going to court, if needed. (Emphasis added in all quotes.)
Reporters David Hunn and Tom Townsend quoted one creationist and one intelligent design lawyer who thought this displayed insecurity on the part of the scientific establishment; they certainly did not appear threatened by this new initiative. Educators at the conference described their experience with students challenging them on their presentations of evolution. Some teachers are becoming reluctant to bring up the subject at all. Though the court cases in Dover, Cobb County Frazier Park worked in their favor, evolutionists realize the battle is far from over. Some took heart that “the tide is turning” as more scientists are beginning to step forward. Most interesting quote in the article was from Vatican astronomer George Coyne: “One of the biggest problems teachers face is evangelical Christianity based on the literal interpretation of the Scriptures,” he said, calling biblical literalism “a plague in our midst.”
Welcome to the American Association for the Advancement of Dogmatism, and the Alliance for Silence. The pigs are in power, and have ruled that all religions are equal, but some (like naturalism) are more equal than others. They now want to train the attack dogs on the workhorses who built Empirical Farm and bully them into submission. Meanwhile, they tell visitors, “Controversy? There’s no controversy here. This is utopia.” Did you notice the non-sequitur in their battle plan? Increase funding for research, create graduate fellowships, train math and science teachers, build tax incentives for research and development – great ideas (unless the pigs are the teachers and the attack dogs guard the doors). Do the pigs ever look in the mirror and realize they resemble Farmer Jones? We have a better idea for them. Find scientific evidence that chance and necessity can turn hydrogen into people. Then find evidence that it did. Wonder what Jesus would think about Coyne calling those who trust the word of God a “plague in our midst.” We take this to mean Coyne feels about them like bugs feel about Raid.
[2006/02/20] Alliance for Science – or for Silence?
