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  Topic: AiG on scientific theory, E-mail with Information Representative< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
Jacor



Posts: 2
Joined: Nov. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 10 2002,15:28   

I just want to make the observation that if the level of scientific "thought " as presented by the person with the title of "Information Representative" of AiG is true of the actual science used by them.  I predict that within 2 generations of Creationists being able to teach their "science" as a valid alternative theory, society will be well on its way back to pre-scientific levels of health and knowledge.  This is due to the superficial level of thinking that is encouraged.

John Verderame, in a fairly detailed non-answer to my statement on why I did not accept his generalizations as answers to my specific questions. gave this Bio.  "I have a B.S. in Biology and a Master of Theology degree from a highly respected Seminary and almost 30 years of work experience both in ministry and in the fields of biology and astronomy, so have done some studying too."

In response to my observation that the problem with relying on the Bible to answer anything that is not currently in the "known" column in science is that it discourages the original research needed to find the answers.  His response was "prove that".  He also referred me to a list of "research" done by creationists.
Here is what I found.

Dr Steve Austin PhD, describes self as Creationist Geology Professor, B.S. (Geology), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, M.S. (Geology), San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, Ph.D. (Geology), Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Only acknowledged publications are in Creationist publications, and are not on field of specialty of Geology.  No original research.

Dr Don Batten  He is doing work that any self-respecting agriculturist does.  He might have a new hybrid, but no original research.  Does have publications in Creationist publications on mutation as evidence of divine intervention, other than "the Bible tells me so", no supporting evidence.  He makes unsupported statements about the number of nucleotides that can be changed before becoming fatal (3).  I will point out that 3 nucleotides do not make up a single gene.  His degree is in Horticulture.

Dr John Baumgardner  (B.S, M.S., PhD (UCLA)) is a geophysicist employed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. His work involves detailed computer modeling of the structure and processes of the earth's interior, as well as a variety of other fluid dynamics phenomena.  
Only published works supporting Creationism is at 3 Creation Conferences, and are not related to his field of study.  
Is this supposed to impress me?  Especially since his bio states that he changed majors to prove creationism is correct.  Since he has not run any tests to prove or disprove his hypothesis he can not claim that his belief is anything other than an opinion.

Jerry Bergman  PhD Psychology  Published in Creationist publications on topic of why there is no scientific support for evolution.
I know a master level psychologist that believes that watermelons are cucumbers left on the vine too long.  So?

I do not see any original research here.  How does this disprove my statement?

Dr. Verderame's response:  "(What are YOUR credentials, that you are in such a position to pass judgment?)"

Like an idiot I actually sent them.  AAS Nursing, BS double major Chemistry and Biology

His response: "Please don't expect any further responses.  We are not getting anywhere.

Have a good weekend.

John"

Since the following are verbatim quotes from him in two earlier communications I must state that I do not have his permission to quote this, however I am quoting just to show his level of response when he can't think of anything better.
He cited Pasteur as being the perfect "Creationist Scientist" because he developed the germ theory despite opposition by scientific thought.  In response I sent an abbreviated history of contributors to the germ theory going back to 50 AD.  He now changes his argument to:
JV:  "What is your point?  Of course, no theory arises in isolation.  We point out that evolution has its basis in ancient Greek philosophy.  But Darwin helped to systematize and quantify the concept so that those who followed him recognize his work as a watershed.  Same with Pasteur.  
I could not resist, so my response and his reply follows.
He inserted responses in my answer and they are designated as "JV".

Technically since Pasteur did not publish, and Koch provided the proof, Koch should be credited with the formulation of the theory.
JV:  Nice try.  So 'publishing' is what distinguishes the men from the boys, eh?

Otherwise credit would have to go to Henle in 1840. As pointed out in the section on Koch, just like evolution, the Germ Theory continues to "evolve."

JV:  Which you have yet to demonstrate ;-)  Throw the word around all you want.  But back it up with facts.  You know those microorganisms Pasteur and Koch played with?  Make one.  Starting with nothing.  And then, if you can do it, prove to me it took no intelligence to do it.

I could not reply to his comments as he cut communication with me.  The range of topics had grown to the proportion that there was no cohesive way to respond to all of them in each communication.  The list kept growing as Dr. Verderame added to the list each time.  I think he was planning on overwhelming me with the sheer volume of topics.

Paul C



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Mr. Davies



Posts: 2
Joined: Nov. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 25 2002,20:18   

Hello all,


Thank you for this board for discussion.

I have a question about ID.  In particular, does ID make any assumption in the identity of the designer?  If so who, if not, why not?

  
theyeti



Posts: 97
Joined: May 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 26 2002,16:08   

Quote (Mr. Davies @ Nov. 25 2002,20:18)
Hello all,


Thank you for this board for discussion.

I have a question about ID.  In particular, does ID make any assumption in the identity of the designer?  If so who, if not, why not?

Basically no.  The whole premise of the modern ID argument (and that of Paley I suppose) is that one can detect design in the absence of any knowledge of the designer.  

Why not?  I'll try to expand on that later.

theyeti

  
theyeti



Posts: 97
Joined: May 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 26 2002,17:52   

Okay, now for why ID doesn't identify the designer.  Here is what I posted in a thread in the "collaborations" section

Quote
Naturally, they have their reasons.  Trying to bring the designer and its attributes into the discussion would force a few things.  1) They'd have to admit that it's all speculation.  There's nothing wrong with that per se, because every scientific hypothesis starts out as being speculative, but it would raise the issue of the acutal testing of ID hypotheses, and the lack of data on the Designer would make this difficult.  Furthermore, real world data can eliminate several popular Designer hypotheses if we insist on taking the scientific approach to ID.  2) The Big Tent philosophy, who's purpose is to allow any and every ID hypothesis (except maybe the Raelins) equal access, thus swelling the ranks.  This is just a political strategy.  3) They'd have to start comparing ID to Darwinian evolution.  As it is now, it's advantageous to be completely devoid of any theoretical basis, because it lets them sit back and take pot shots at Darwinian evolution without having to account for the so-called mysteries that they invoke with a model of their own.


I suppose you could divide this into the empirical, the political, and the theoretical respectively.  Keep in mind though that this is at least partially a matter of my opinion, since trying to figure out why they do what they do is a matter of speculation itself.  I think that these reasons are certainly in opperation at least some of the time, but they are not the only ones.  I will try to cull some remarks from IDists from other boards later if I have a chance, and let you see their view.  

One thing that persists among "leading" IDists in their writing is that figuring out the attributes or identity of the designer is a question for philosophy or religion.  But this is clearly wrong, because once we've make detecting design something which can be answered via science, we've also made detecting the designer part of science also.  For example, it would be foolish to say that we've concluded that Stonehenge was designed, but that the scientific method couldn't deduce who designed it or for what reason.  In fact, that's the whole point of sciences that study design, like archeaology or forensics, which the IDists often cite as evidence that their methodology is actually being used.  (This is the crucial difference which shows that their methodology is actually not being used.)  Exactly what the IDists' motivations are for this claim are a matter of speculation, but certainly they'd rather give specific religious interpretations preeminence, which the Wedge Strategy shows is the primary goal of the movement.

theyeti

P.S.  The OP here is kind of in the wrong forum, since it deals with AiG, which is a YEC outfit, and this forum is for ID.  However, we're just now getting this board up and running full steam, so it's not like there are a bunch of threads competing for attention.  Try to be patient; we'll try to generate some steady activity here soon.

  
Jacor



Posts: 2
Joined: Nov. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 26 2002,21:59   

I am having a hard time understanding the difference between creationism and ID.  As far as I can tell the only obvious difference is that ID has replaced the term "God" or "creator" with the word "designer."
This is a difference with no real difference.  Just like back in the hyperinflationary times of the 70's: a title change was supposed to make you not notice that your income only increased by 2.5% per year while inflation ran at 18%-24% per year.  The assumption was that by making you think that you had gotten a promotion you also would not notice that you were doing the same job.

I do know that a lot of people, in the area I live ( less than 4 blocks from UNC-G), cannot identify evolution as a biological theory.  Instead they apply it to theories relating to the genesis of the universe, complex systems in chemistry and physics, as well as the development of speciation of plants and animals, and anything else in the sciences that they perceive as a threat to their religious values.
It appears that the education system is already providing a group of people, susceptible to ID arguments, that are poorly grounded in critical thinking skills, never mind science.
Paul C

  
Mr. Davies



Posts: 2
Joined: Nov. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 26 2002,23:01   

Interesting.

By not identifying the designer, they leave open everyone's ideal of the designer as a possibility.  That is definitely the big tent approach but tents generally have a hard time holding up under adverse conditions.

Would it not be a prudent strategy for the anti-ID, or in my estimation, the pro-science (anti anything to me makes it sound so negative) help them out by postuating the drunk designer, the "I don't care how I made you 'cause you'll die soon enough" designer, and on.  It would even be fascinating to have them say that their could be more than one designer.

Of course, my statement would most likely work on people with critical thinking skills.  Now I have noticed that IDists are more likely to be gifted than say your typical YEC with critical thinking, but their compartmentalization still makes their arguements, again in my estimation, rather entertaining as they switch standards to allow themselves to hold onto ID.  What I've seen is if they go too far one way, then on something they may care and know alot about, watchin their own arguements get beaten over the head by applying their logic on ID to their particular "thing" is great for a few minutes at least.

My particular reason was that while I was flirting with my daughter's single and rather cute science teacher, I asked if her were going to touch on evolution as they are in middle school.  She seemed to want to see where I stood on the subject and said that there were "issues" and mentioned "Dr. Behe" was working on those issues.  When I mentioned that Behe's concerns were addressed and that ID was not much more than the God of the Gaps repackage, she grew suddenly withdrawn and our conversation did not go much further.  That was a shame as she's quite nice looking and has nice legs.

For the UNC-G, I live in Johnson County, one of the many "Yankees" who have started to occupy the rest of Dixie.

  
RBH



Posts: 49
Joined: Sep. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Nov. 28 2002,23:02   

Mr. Davies suggested that
Quote
It would even be fascinating to have them say that their could be more than one designer.

I tried that on ISCID.  It stimulated some responses, and I may yet do some more on it when I have time.

RBH

--------------
"There are only two ways we know of to make extremely complicated things, one is by engineering, and the other is evolution. And of the two, evolution will make the more complex." - Danny Hillis.

  
PEPCIS



Posts: 1
Joined: Dec. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Dec. 17 2002,10:53   

Quote (theyeti @ Nov. 26 2002,17:52)
One thing that persists among "leading" IDists in their writing is that figuring out the attributes or identity of the designer is a question for philosophy or religion.  But this is clearly wrong, because once we've make detecting design something which can be answered via science, we've also made detecting the designer part of science also.  For example, it would be foolish to say that we've concluded that Stonehenge was designed, but that the scientific method couldn't deduce who designed it or for what reason.  In fact, that's the whole point of sciences that study design, like archeaology or forensics, which the IDists often cite as evidence that their methodology is actually being used.  (This is the crucial difference which shows that their methodology is actually not being used.)  Exactly what the IDists' motivations are for this claim are a matter of speculation, but certainly they'd rather give specific religious interpretations preeminence, which the Wedge Strategy shows is the primary goal of the movement

theyeti posted: "One thing that persists among "leading" IDists in their writing is that figuring out the attributes or identity of the designer is a question for philosophy or religion.  But this is clearly wrong, because once we've make detecting design something which can be answered via science, we've also made detecting the designer part of science also.  For example, it would be foolish to say that we've concluded that Stonehenge was designed, but that the scientific method couldn't deduce who designed it or for what reason.  In fact, that's the whole point of sciences that study design, like archeaology or forensics, which the IDists often cite as evidence that their methodology is actually being used.  (This is the crucial difference which shows that their methodology is actually not being used.)  Exactly what the IDists' motivations are for this claim are a matter of speculation, but certainly they'd rather give specific religious interpretations preeminence, which the Wedge Strategy shows is the primary goal of the movement."

I'd like to say that it's refreshing to hear an evolutionist saying the opposite of what the majority on their side claim.  I personally perceive that the main reason you see ID'ers staying away from identifying the Designer is a reaction to evolutionists who insist that any inquiry which gives even a semblance of similarity to creation ideas needs to be quashed pronto.

Most of the reactions that I see on the internet by evolutionists involve them stating that religion has absolutely no place in any scientific investigation.  Naturally, if an ID'er should mention a Deity, he/she would immediately be branded as a scientific heretic for allowing religion in the investigation.

  
niiicholas



Posts: 319
Joined: May 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Dec. 17 2002,15:28   

Quote

I'd like to say that it's refreshing to hear an evolutionist saying the opposite of what the majority on their side claim.  I personally perceive that the main reason you see ID'ers staying away from identifying the Designer is a reaction to evolutionists who insist that any inquiry which gives even a semblance of similarity to creation ideas needs to be quashed pronto.

Most of the reactions that I see on the internet by evolutionists involve them stating that religion has absolutely no place in any scientific investigation.  Naturally, if an ID'er should mention a Deity, he/she would immediately be branded as a scientific heretic for allowing religion in the investigation.


The problem, of course, with supernatural explanations is that are usually unconstrained -- anything can be explained, so nothing is explained.  Such explanations -- and here I think that "superadvanced aliens" and "unspecified designer" are also in the same epistemic category -- deserve to be excluded.

However, if the designer hypothesis is constrained enough, so that certain things are expected and other things are not, then it is at least potentially testable and hence potentially scientific.  E.g. "stone age humans did that" is a perfectly testable hypothesis for Stonehenge, even if the reasons aren't completely known.

  
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