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  Topic: Virginia man’s book challenges curriculum< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
Jason Spaceman



Posts: 163
Joined: Nov. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,14:09   

Quote
By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer
Published: August 28, 2008

A grassroots effort is being started by two Locust Grove citizens to destroy Darwinian evolution and bring God back into public schools.  The citizens have formed a new organization called the Creation and Evolution Studies Ministry which aims to challenge the dominance of Darwinian evolution which is taught in public school biology courses.
“Darwinian evolution is false for many reasons,” said Lake of the Woods resident William Nowers, one of the ministry’s founders and author of the book, Creation-Evolution and a Nation in Distress.  “Evolution is never defined; they use it to mean everything which it isn’t.”
The main argument of the program is that evolution needs to be further defined into microevolution and macroevolution.  Microevolution is a minor change within a species such as hair or eye coloring while macroevolution, Darwinian evolution, is a change from one species to another requiring some from of mutation.
“Evolutionists refuse to use micro and macro,” said Nowers.  “They will give an example of microevolution to encompass all evolution.”
Nowers believes that microevolution should not be brought up at all because that is fact.
“The basic key is in the definitions,” said Nowers.  “Once you define the words, the evolutionists are going to lose.”
According to Nowers, in the past 10-15 years, many states have tried to bring creation teachings into classrooms in order to present both creation and evolution equally.  However, these efforts are usually defeated due to the separation in church and state.  The ministry’s approach may be one that cannot be defeated so easily.
“Volunteer students will carry an insert in their biology book which challenges Darwinian evolution,” said Nowers.  “[The insert] will have a write up and then asks questions that can’t be answered by teachers.”
The questions are designed to show the problems with evolution.  Teachers will have a copy of the insert ahead of time so that they can be prepared for the questions.


Read it here.

   
Dr.GH



Posts: 2333
Joined: May 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,14:28   

The afore mentioned morons have a website, Their insert for highschool biology text books has these knee-slappers"

 
Quote
1.      What scientific evidence is there to show intelligent life started from dead matter?

2.      How can Darwinian evolution be considered a fact when not a single example of macroevolution exists?                        

3.      If we deny a universal flood, how did marine fossils get to the tops of all the mountains?

4.      Since we all have the same scientific facts, shouldn’t Christian interpretations be discussed as well as atheist interpretations?  Shouldn’t truth be our goal?  


They have a unique definition of "macroevolution" that is outstandingly stupid even for creationists:

 
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Macroevolution (p370), or Darwinian evolution, is a change to a higher species, due to genetic information being introduced that did not come from either parent. The Darwinian evolution belief is based on the assumption of many thousands of undirected, chance cases of macroevolution. Not one proven case of macroevolution has ever occurred. The failure to clearly identify microevolution and macroevolution is a critical error in this book.  Numerous examples of microevolution are presented as merely evolution thus falsely implying evidence for macroevolution.  


They are quite clear as to their goals;

 
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1.      Since all efforts in the schools would be voluntary and led by students, we would not expect any court challenges initially.

2.      We would expect considerable publicity even after we get just one student to volunteer the message. We could expect challenges eventually from the ACLU and others, even some churches.

3.      A few successes in even small schools would generate favorable publicity far beyond the school’s importance and give credibility to our efforts in larger schools.

4.      We pray that our efforts  break the back of the Darwinian evolution lock on our public schools and our scientific establishments.


The remaining question is, Can this level of stupid be a threat to reality based education?


They do have a special message for the Discovery Instutute,

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All living species, especially at the microscopic level, prove they are irreducibly complex (p130) and therefore there must have been an intelligent designer. . The intelligent designer would necessarily be God. Atheists and Secular Humanists deny this and they are entitled to their opinion, however the Christian belief in God and the six day creation also has a right to be presented.


Edited by Dr.GH on Aug. 28 2008,12:34

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"Science is the horse that pulls the cart of philosophy."

L. Susskind, 2004 "SMOLIN VS. SUSSKIND: THE ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE"

   
midwifetoad



Posts: 4003
Joined: Mar. 2008

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,14:34   

Apparently not all teachers are prepared for this.

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Any version of ID consistent with all the evidence is indistinguishable from evolution.

  
Jason Spaceman



Posts: 163
Joined: Nov. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,14:53   

The money quote from Nowers has to be:

Quote
He cites a new Louisiana law passed unanimously that brings religion into schools.  According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the law urges public schools to foster critical thinking about evolution, global warming, and other topics.  The ACLU and other organizations believe that the bill is a way to sneak Intelligent Design into the curriculum.
“Many states have brought in Intelligent Design but they have called it science,” said Nowers.  “A design needs a designer which is god.  It’s religion, not science.”


On that we agree.  

:)

   
Dr.GH



Posts: 2333
Joined: May 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,15:58   

I wrote in reply,

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The “CREATION & EVOLUTION STUDIES MINISTRY” is apparently the invention of William Nowers, who has self-published a book he claims is “A clear and convincing denial of Darwinian evolution.” In this, Mr. Nowers stands at the end of a long line of people who have announced their refutation of evolution. It is even a longer line of failures than the line of people who think they have disproven Einstein.

His ministry also claims, “Our goal is to further the Christian influence in our society and especially in the public schools and in our scientific establishments. (cesministry.org)”

Since America is one of the most Christian dominated nations in the world, he will have to work hard to find some gap to exploit. If Nowers were serious about being a Christian influence on the scientific academies, he would start by not making foolish mistakes. Imagine taking your car in to be serviced and insisting that it needs more incense, or that the gas tank needed fresh power crystals?  Your mechanic would merely laugh at you behind your back. Nowers, if attended to at all, will only incline scientists to dismiss his Christian faith as simple ignorance. Thomas Aquinas warned about this over 700 years ago when he wrote that, ”… since Holy Scripture can be explained in a multiplicity of senses, one should adhere to a particular explanation only in such measure as to be ready to abandon it if it be proved with certainty to be false, lest Holy Scripture be exposed to the ridicule of unbelievers, and obstacles be placed to their believing.  Summa Theological (1273)” Similar warning is found in the writing of Christian father Augustine of Hippo well over 1600 years ago.

Christians confused about the compatibility of faith and science will be better off reading books by people who are both committed Christians as well as scientists. Two good examples are “Finding Darwin’s God” by Ken Miller, and “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief” Francis S. Collins.


The person posting at the news site as bobxxxx is someone I frequently see at newspaper websites. They are rude and needlessly inflamitory. It would be quite helpful if they would stop it.

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"Science is the horse that pulls the cart of philosophy."

L. Susskind, 2004 "SMOLIN VS. SUSSKIND: THE ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE"

   
silverspoon



Posts: 123
Joined: May 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,16:10   

William Nowers pops-up every now and then in the letters to the editor section of the local paper around these parts (The Freelance Star). He has said, among other idiocies, that Gould said evolution is a fairy tale for adults, and that Darwin recanted evolutionary theory on his death bed. He’s an idiot.

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Grand Poobah of the nuclear mafia

  
KCdgw



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Joined: Sep. 2002

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,16:26   

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Nowers believes that microevolution should not be brought up at all because that is fact.


LOL

KC

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Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it-- Confucius

  
Tracy P. Hamilton



Posts: 1239
Joined: May 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,16:46   

Quote (KCdgw @ Aug. 28 2008,16:26)
Quote
Nowers believes that microevolution should not be brought up at all because that is fact.


LOL

KC

So we shouldn't bring up atoms in chemistry, because that is a fact?  LOL, indeed.  :p

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"Following what I just wrote about fitness, you’re taking refuge in what we see in the world."  PaV

"The simple equation F = MA leads to the concept of four-dimensional space." GilDodgen

"We have no brain, I don't, for thinking." Robert Byers

  
Henry J



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Joined: Mar. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 28 2008,22:15   

Quote
So we shouldn't bring up atoms in chemistry, because that is a fact?  LOL, indeed.  :p


An elementary conclusion!

Henry

  
Erasmus, FCD



Posts: 6349
Joined: June 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,00:43   

bobxxxxx used to go by "Ed" at the world magazine blog.  i think he got banned and came back as bobxxxx.  nut job.

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You're obviously illiterate as hell. Peach, bro.-FtK

Finding something hard to believe based on the evidence, is science.-JoeG

the odds of getting some loathsome taint are low-- Gordon E Mullings Manjack Heights Montserrat

I work on molecular systems with pathway charts and such.-Giggles

  
Louis



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Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,04:58   

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 29 2008,04:15)
Quote
So we shouldn't bring up atoms in chemistry, because that is a fact?  LOL, indeed.  :p


An elementary conclusion!

Henry

Surely this could be the next highly charged controversy?

Louis

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Bye.

  
J-Dog



Posts: 4402
Joined: Dec. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,08:11   

Up and atom, ATBCers!

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Come on Tough Guy, do the little dance of ID impotence you do so well. - Louis to Joe G 2/10

Gullibility is not a virtue - Quidam on Dembski's belief in the Bible Code Faith Healers & ID 7/08

UD is an Unnatural Douchemagnet. - richardthughes 7/11

  
Louis



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Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,08:18   

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 29 2008,14:11)
Up and atom, ATBCers!

Up and atom?

I, on the other hand, can never manage the enthusiasm. I just orbit all the major conflict and cannot be bothered to deal with, for example, Erasmus (the New Cletus to some).

My participation is more of a hybrid. Sorry for the use of Bra Kets, they are something of a Paschen.

Louis

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Bye.

  
Erasmus, FCD



Posts: 6349
Joined: June 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,10:44   

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 29 2008,08:18)
Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 29 2008,14:11)
Up and atom, ATBCers!

Up and atom?

I, on the other hand, can never manage the enthusiasm. I just orbit all the major conflict and cannot be bothered to deal with, for example, Erasmus (the New Cletus to some).

My participation is more of a hybrid. Sorry for the use of Bra Kets, they are something of a Paschen.

Louis

Sure you can sweetie!!!  Just bend over.




I don't think this 'challenge' is going anywhere.  Should be fun to watch though.  Virginia is not as dumb as, say, California, but there are some real tools there.  Liberty comes to mind.

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You're obviously illiterate as hell. Peach, bro.-FtK

Finding something hard to believe based on the evidence, is science.-JoeG

the odds of getting some loathsome taint are low-- Gordon E Mullings Manjack Heights Montserrat

I work on molecular systems with pathway charts and such.-Giggles

  
Henry J



Posts: 5786
Joined: Mar. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 29 2008,10:46   

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 29 2008,03:58)
Surely this could be the next highly charged controversy?

Well, maybe on a periodic basis. (Hey, somebody had to put that idea on the table.)

  
Krubozumo Nyankoye



Posts: 15
Joined: June 2008

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 30 2008,21:20   

This ought to really test their metal. It is certainly a highly charged issue.

  
Krubozumo Nyankoye



Posts: 15
Joined: June 2008

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 30 2008,21:29   

Damn! I meant to say it is a highly negative issue. Sometimes the train of thought is only weakly bonded to the tracks. Then again perhaps it was just a magnetic moment.

  
Henry J



Posts: 5786
Joined: Mar. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 30 2008,22:04   

Unless their metal happens to be in transition at the moment...

  
Louis



Posts: 6436
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 31 2008,04:30   

I don't understand the concern with this Virginia book. What's all the (electro) negativity about? Surely this will radiate the usual stupidity, detectable even by those who remain neutron.

Sadly, creationists can easily be grouped by properties. They are so obvious it's not needed to put them under sur valence. Repulsive as they are.

I'll get me coat!

Louis

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Bye.

  
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