Evolution on the Front Line

suchandra · February 14, 2008

Looks like that the Evolutionists are preparing for a huge campaign to get believe in God out of the educational system. Recently there was a broadcast where they claimed to have found the missing links. Since they put so much money in this main project of materialism could be that the being at odds with each other religions come out as losers in this debate. Their slogan: "Intelligent design theory is a matter of faith and so should be kicked out of science classrooms."

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="750"><tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#757575" valign="top" width="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#757575" valign="top" width="1"></td> <td id="main_content_block" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="576"> <tbody><tr> <td width="30"> </td> <td align="left" width="477">  AAAS (The World's Largest General Scientific Society) has played a prominent role in responding to efforts in Kansas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere to weaken or compromise the teaching of evolution in public school science classrooms. Here are some background materials on the controversy and links to AAAS resources on evolution.

"Evolution on the Front Line," a special event organized by AAAS and some of the nation's biggest science and education groups, brought several hundred teachers, scientists, students and others together in St. Louis on Sunday 19 February 2006. For three-and-a-half hours, they discussed the challenges confronting science teachers and resources that teachers can tap as they seek to preserve scientific integrity in the classroom. See more on the event, including videos and speaker presentations.

Resources

AAAS Video on Evolution [Real Video]
Project 2061 Abbreviated Guide for Teaching Evolution [PDF]
Talking Points / Qs and As for Teachers [PDF]
AAAS experts on evolution
Information from AAAS's Dialogue on Science, Ethics & Religion
- The Evolution Dialogues: Science, Christianity, and the Quest for Understanding
- A Study Guide for The Evolution Dialogues [292 KB PDF]
[*] Materials from AAAS's Project 2061
- Evolution on the Front Line: An Abbreviated Guide for Teaching Evolution
- Chapter on "The Living Environment" from Science for All Americans
- Recommendations on basic knowledge about living organisms for students in K-12, from Benchmarks for Science Literacy
[*] Cyber-Chat on Evolution: Read transcripts from the EurekAlert! online chat on the science and politics of evolution.

[*] Audio file of a AAAS-organized teleconference with reporters as the Dover, Pa. "intelligent design" case goes to trial

[*] AAAS board resolution on intelligent design

[*] Historical AAAS resolutions on evolution and creationism

[*] Full text of the decision by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones III in Kitzmiller, et al v. Dover School District, et al. [310 KB PDF]

[*] Evolution Resources from the National Academies

[*] Leakey Foundation Schools Program [PDF]—A free program that brings renowned scientists from around the globe into U.S. classrooms to lecture on the latest research in human origins.

Evolution in the News

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"Intelligent Design: Critical Deception?" AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, <cite>Akron Beacon Journal</cite>, 11 September 2006 -->
"Evolution opponents lose Kansas school board majority," Monica Davey and Ralph Blumenthal of The New York Times, Austin American-Statesman, 3 August 2006
"No Conflict Between Science and Religion," AAAS, 31 July 2006
"AAAS Urges Defeat of Oklahoma Measure," AAAS, 22 March 2006
"Testing Darwin's Teachers," StephanieSimon, Times Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 31 March 2006
"Science education: Protecting science, religion," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, The Oklahoman, 19 March 2006
"Intelligent standards or religious design? Keep religion out of science classrooms," AAAS Board Chair Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn and AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Detroit Free Press, 8 March 2006
"Threats to science education hurt religion, too," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner and Baxter M. Wynn, D. Min., First Baptist Church, Greenville, The Greenville News, 7 March 2006
"Should U.S. Schools Teach 'Intelligent Design?' No — Intelligent Design: A Dangerous Distraction," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Nevada Business Journal, February 2006
"Let's teach science in the science classroom," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, <cite>Salt Lake Tribune</cite>, 28 January 2006
"If evidence rules in court; only one way case can go," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, The Times-Tribune, 13 October 2005
"It's not the Scopes monkey trial II," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, York Dispatch, 5 October 2005. Variations of this piece also appeared in the <cite>Morning Call</cite> of Allentown, Pa., and other newspapers near Dover, PA.
Video from NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, "Parents: 'Intelligent design' is bad education," 27 September 2005, featuring commentary by AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner
"Darwin Goes to Church: My Congregation's Evolutionary Debate," Henry G. Brinton, Washington Post, Sunday, 18 September 2005; Page B01
Evolution and Intelligent Design on the Diane Rehm Show, 4 August 2005, with guests AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Richard Land and Nick Matzke
"Debating How to Teach Science," Dr. Leshner, 8 May 2005, <cite>Kansas City Star</cite>
"Uma perigosa tendência à censura," Dr. Leshner, 8 April 2005, <cite>O Globo</cite>

AAAS News

Leshner: Don't Confuse Religious Beliefs, Scientific Facts

[7 June 2007]

In an op-ed in the Lexington Herald-Leader, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner urged respect for the differences between scientific facts and religious beliefs as a new Creation Museum opens.

“Critical Analysis"—or Critical Deception?

[13 August 2006]

In the <cite>Akron Beacon-Journal</cite>, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner urges voters in Ohio Board of Education races to beware the intelligent design movementÃ.s “critical analysis" campaign.

AAAS Releases “The Evolution Dialogues"

[09 August 2006]

The new book, developed by the Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion, explores the diversity of Christian responses to evolution and the common ground between religion and science.

<cite>Science</cite>: Spiders’ Web May Have Evolved Just Once

[22 June 2006]

Groundbreaking <cite>Science</cite> paper suggests the orb web had a single evolutionary origin and may have been snagging flying insects as early as 136 million years ago.

Science, Researchers Catch an Early Bird

[15 June 2006]

Spectacular new fossils of a loon-like ancient bird, reported in the new issue of Science, suggest that todayÃ.s birds may evolved from aquatic environments.

Evolution: Making a Strong Argument Stronger

[28 April 2006]

A biologist and a philosopher speaking at a AAAS lecture offered compelling views on how to defend evolution against advocates of creationism and Intelligent Design.

Vatican Astronomer: The Harmony Between Science and Faith

[30 March 2006]

In a lecture at AAAS, the Rev. George V. Coyne, director of the Vatican Observatory, offers a compelling scientific and religious critique of Intelligent Design.

AAAS Urges Defeat of Oklahoma Measure

[22 March 2006]

In a letter to Oklahoma elected officials and an op-ed published in the stateÃ.s biggest newspaper, AAAS says education bill would open science classes to intelligent design doctrine.

Protecting Science, Protecting Religion

[8 March 2006]

Writing in The Greenville (S.C.) News, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner and the Rev. Baxter M. Wynne say a proposed change in South Carolina teaching on evolution could be harmful.

Rallying for Science Education in South Carolina

[3 March 2006]

AAAS Board Chair Gil Omenn has urged South Carolina officials to "resist efforts to weaken science education."

Evolution Event Strengthens Scientist-Teacher Bond

[20 February 2006]

The Rev. George Coyne, the Vatican's astronomer, was among a stellar AAAS panel that met with teachers in St. Louis to discuss evolution, religion and scientific integrity.

AAAS Board Issues New Evolution Statement

[19 February 2006]

The world's largest general science organization denounces anti-evolution measures as hundreds of K-12 teachers convene for 'Evolution on the Front Line' event in St. Louis.

Speakers at AAAS Mull Chance and Necessity in the Origins of Life

[3 February 2006]

Speaking at AAAS, NASA astrobiologist Andrew Pohorille discusses his efforts to understand the earliest chemical interactions that may have produced life.

Leshner: Utah Evolution Bill "Divides Us and Distracts Us"

[30 January 2006]

Writing in the <cite>Salt Lake Tribune</cite>, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner says a Utah measure targeting evolution education poses a risk to coming generations of scientists and engineers.

<cite>Science</cite>Ã.s Breakthrough of the Year: Watching Evolution In Action

[22 December 2005]

Research that traces the workings of evolution claims top honors as <cite>Science</cite> Breakthrough of the Year. In all, the journal named 10 top S&T advances—and one breakdown—for 2005.

Full article: http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/evolution/

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suchandra · February 16, 2008

What if there is no evolution?

By Isvara Krishna dasa

My book “What if there is no evolution?”, subtitled “Intelligent design: a viable theory,” has been published in 2007 by Kornetas Publisher (in Hungarian language).

The book contains a debate between an evolutionist researcher and me on the origin of life and species. Its main subjects are the history of the intelligent design movement; the workings of science; methodological materialism; falsification possibilities for evolution and intelligent design theory; education; embryonic development and irreducible complexity. After the publication of the book I went on a tour in Hungary in ten cities. I gave presentations in colleges, universities and libraries.

The media has shown an interest in the subject. I have given interviews to local newspapers, radio stations and television channels. The official Hungarian state television (MTV) made a 45 minute coverage about me and the book. In another program they broadcast a 15 minute film about the Hungarian branch of the intelligent design movement. The Hungarian ID proponents translate and publish books, make films, run a website, organize conferences and lectures. I am one of the organizer of this group. We are sending information about the book (and order forms) to biology teachers in 400 Hungarian secondary schools.

The reception of the book has been controversial. 800 copies were sold within three months. Not surprisingly, the Sceptic society is against my work and they write articles against it. At the same time as my book was published, they published Richard Dawkins “God Delusion” in Hungarian. So these books seem like two opposing extremes on the origin questions. On my lectures people asked questions about the identity of the intelligent designer and his creating method. I told them this subject is not part of the ID theory so I presented to them the vaishnava worldview and my personal conviction in the truth of ancient Vedic texts.

Summing up my experience, I have come to the conclusion that discussions on science and intelligent design can be used as an “introduction” to deeper preaching subjects.

Isvara Krishna dasa Hungary