Scientists condemn intelligent design, comparing it to spoon-bending and alien abductions.

Originally posted by Umbrax
Good for Australia

.

I think this quote says it best.
"Not being able to imagine or explain how something happened other than by making a leap of faith to supernatural intervention is no basis for any science -- that is a theological or philosophical notion."

Unfortuantly, again.. the 'planned' politics that happens in America has inevitably spread like a virus over here. I actually tried to get the 'open letter' for a keepsake.. the Herald Sun had it online.. but I looked through the ENTIRE normal version and it wasn't there. I wrote them an email asking where it was.. of course I had no response. This does not surprise me as NewsCorp owns the Herald Sun, Murdoch own NewsCorp and is a huge supporter of Bush [as is John Howard] and Bush is directly responsible for creationism being taught in US schools.

The night before the letter was [meant] to be published in major newspapers.. 'Catalyst' aired the story:

www.abc.net.au..." target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow">Transcript

A mention of irreducible complexity.. an argument that has frequently been used in this forum by those who have fallen victim to propoganda:

Prof. Mike Archer: I've looked at the evidence that Michael Behe has put forward for his irreducible complexity. It's a very interesting concept. The failure of that kind of thinking is that there is no such thing really as irreducible complexity.

Narration: So what about that bacterial flagellum?

Prof. Mike Archer: What we know for example is that it doesn't require as he claims 40 unique proteins to make this whole thing work there are many other kinds of bacteria out there that have flagella and they have far fewer than that. So it's already reducible.

And they finnished off with a damning mention of the 'wedge document':

In the late 1990's the Discovery Institute produced a revealing document.

Paul Willis, reporter: This is known as the Wedge Document. It outlines a strategy to over throw science. Why is it called the wedge?

(Reads) "Our strategy is intended to function as a "wedge" that, while relatively small, can split the trunk when applied at its weakest points."

Paul Willis, reporter: And what do they intend to use as a wedge?

(Reads) "Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions."

Narration: Having created a debate, the Discovery Institute want that controversy taught in schools.

They call it "teaching the choice".

Brendan Nelson: It's about choice, reasonable choice.

Narration: It looks like the strategy is working.

Now Australian scientists are fighting back.

They're producing an open letter that unequivocally states Intelligent Design is not science and must not be taught in science classrooms.

Prof. Mike Archer: If you open up the door to that then why not open up the science class door to creation science, to fork bending, to flat earth. Why just teach astronomy? Let's teach astrology. All of these things would have equal right to claim time in the science classroom. What would bother me is even if you just give each of these sort of slightly cute and you know fun but a bit nutsy zones there's simply going to be no time left for teaching real science. That's the worry I have.

Narration: The open letter, signed by a host of Australian scientists and science educators, will appear in national newspapers tomorrow.

Hopefully Australia will be able to contend with this obscene onslaught of ignorance and not be dragged into a time where things like space travel might consist of building a really long ladder.

[edit on 25-10-2005 by riley]

Yup, all that stuff from America does find it's way here.

I am glad to see Science Teachers really standing up for something that does have no place in a science room. Science is based in FACT and not in FAITH.

If they want Intelligent Design to be taught so much then it should be taught in Religious Education and NOT taught alongside Evolution in a classroom based on fact and what you can see with your own two eyes.

Australia isn't the only place where ID is derided. We here in the UK laugh at it as well. In fact it would be fair to say that most of the world has signed up for Evolution (sorry about the unintentional pun there). I have asked this on other threads, but why on earth is the US the only place to be debating this?

Originally posted by Darkmind
Australia isn't the only place where ID is derided. We here in the UK laugh at it as well. In fact it would be fair to say that most of the world has signed up for Evolution (sorry about the unintentional pun there). I have asked this on other threads, but why on earth is the US the only place to be debating this?

Really it's not even a debate over here. Scientist put intelligent design in the realm of theology. We're even suppose to have a separation of church and state over here but, with Bush and friends making a big push for it, all most all of the conservative right winged religious "nut jobs" are pushing this as the best thing since sliced bread.

We might as well teach the fundamentals of Scientology for human development as far as this administration goes.

Originally posted by Darkmind
I have asked this on other threads, but why on earth is the US the only place to be debating this?

Its simple really, the US has the largest population of Evangelicals and other Christian enthusiasts who believe that the "main" reason people will pray to GOD is if they believe that GOD created them! A ridiculous notion in itself but one that is widely believed.
Also their is this large very vocal un-educated (by this I mean, people who are literate but not educated i.e. people who have some sort of "non science" background like ART ) group that believes Science is like philosophy and FACT is debatable. Most actually think that Evolution is correct but they are fighting for the "CHOICE"/ "FREEDOM" to learn different from what is generally being taught, afflicted by some juvenile sense of rebellion it would seem!
Also the Christian Commando's all over the nation (US) see this as a "second coming" and milking this " holy-Cow" for all its worth.

IMHO It is a phase, one that will pass or it could also be a plauge that will swallow the rest of us ( people who are "Educated" ) whole.

Originally posted by Umbrax
news.ninemsn.com.au...

Australia's scientific community Friday called for an alternative evolutionary theory known as "intelligent design" to be barred from classrooms, comparing it to spoon-bending and alien abductions.

Hey, wait a minute! Doesn't everyone here believe in spoon-bending and alien abductions?


[edit on 2005/11/14 by GradyPhilpott]

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Hey, wait a minute! Doesn't everyone here believe in spoon-bending and alien abductions?

'

*sigh*

If only Intelligent Design was as credible as spoon-bending.

Spoon bending is easy! put half the spoon in each hand and apply pressure.

ALien abductions? Also easy, just wait at the border and wait for one to cross it illegally then kidnap them.

SO yes, SPoon Bending and Alien Abduction is far more credible then
"God sneezed while making a new creature and that is what happened with the Platypus."