A thought about the ID's "God did it"
George W. Bush suggested that ID (Intelligent Design) should be taught in science classes across America(?).
Why should scientists and science teachers be afraid of that? The ID part is quick and easy - "God did it", then on with actual science.
This would make ID look ridiculous.
The ID part of the science curriculum would be very brief, just say
"Alright class, lets go over the ID explanation of ... 'God did it'
or 'God designed it that way'. Now that part is done, let's go onto real
science and explain ..."
That's essentially ID's explanation for any phenomenon -- 'God did it'. -- not
science at all and sure doesn't promote research or theorizing.
If there is a demand for equal time for ID, then:
Let's say an hour for ID first, then an equal hour
If the IDer is identified as a certain God such as the Biblical God with the flood and all, then we are teaching a specific religion which would cause a lot of enmity between various factions of Bible believers -- Christian God belief varies a tremendous amount.
An e-mail reply:
Hello Ord:
I had a good chuckle at your suggestion that the
science teacher merely mumbles "God did it" for
an hour. I don't think that S. would
have been too pleased!
In any case, you remember the situation in Abbotsford a
number of years ago. The ID people will never accept your
cheeky proposal and instead insist (as they did!) to have
their own people invade the science classes and give them
a slide show etc. etc.
This approach also somehow implies that there is actually
any consideration whatever to be given to ID in science
classes and that should be avoided!
Scientists and science teachers should be afraid of
perverting the very meaning and approach of science.
I have always maintained that the fundamentalists may
well be right (I don't happen to believe that, of course)
but what they claim just is not science!
Be well,
Theo.