Re: In the News: Sam Brownback clarifies his position (NYT)

On May 31, 9:48 am, "Elf M. Sternberg" <e...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In the New York Times this morning, a DI flack gives Sam Brownback a
script from which to read:

If belief in evolution means simply assenting to microevolution,
small changes over time within a species, I am happy to say, as I
have in the past, that I believe it to be true. If, on the other
hand, it means assenting to an exclusively materialistic,
deterministic vision of the world that holds no place for a
guiding intelligence, then I reject it.

There is no one single theory of evolution, as proponents of
punctuated equilibrium and classical Darwinism continue to feud
today. Many questions raised by evolutionary theory -- like
whether man has a unique place in the world or is merely the
chance product of random mutations -- go beyond empirical science
and are better addressed in the realm of philosophy or theology.

Is it just me, or is that second paragraph a masterpiece of political
bull***?

I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. It seems like regular old
political bull*** to me.

-jc


Brownback starts by asserting the unreliability of science
of give a straight answer. This assertion is deceitful because
Brownback has targeted a high-level problem and is ignoring the
low-level consensus: that descent with modification and selection
occurs, and that the distinction between "micro" and "macro" evolution
is a false distinction sustained by creationists just to sow
confusion.

He then takes a hard right turn into discussing metaphysical issues
that are simply not the responsibility of science to address. To put
these two sentences in the same paragraph is to say "Science is
confused, and remains confused because it won't allow theology to
address the issues science is confused about."

Yet I believe, as do many biologists and people of faith, that the
process of creation -- and indeed life today -- is sustained by
the hand of God in a manner known fully only to him.

We'd like evidence of that assertion, sir.

Read the article at:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/31/opinion/31brownback.html

--
Elf M. Sternberg, Immanentizing the Eschaton since 1988http://www.pendorwright.com/

"You know how some people treat their body like a temple?
I treat mine like issa amusement park!" - Kei


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