jho@ihuxn.UUCP (Yosi Hoshen) (02/23/84)
In recent weeks we have witnessed a rather heated debate between those supporting evolution theory and others who subscribe to "scientific creation". I feel that this debate is addressing the wrong issues. Creationists are not really concerned with scientific research on origins, what they want is to shove their religion down our throats. Very often new scientific ideas spark controversies and disagreement in the scientific community. Let us remember that these disagreements are between scientists. On the other hand, the evolution-creation arguments take place between scientists and religionists. Scientists attempting to argue with creationists are wasting their time. They are dealing with individuals and groups who live in a different frame of reference. Why is there so much noise in opposition to evolution theory? We rarely hear of objections to other scientific ideas. The answer is that evolution appears to contradict the religious beliefs of creationists, beliefs that are based on a literal interpretation of the Bible. What will happen if other groups discover that certain scientific ideas are offensive to their dogmatic beliefs? For example, Marxists may object to the quantum mechanical model of the atom on the grounds that quantum mechanics contradicts Marxist materialism. They may insist that the particle-wave duality concept of quantum mechanics are anti-materialistic. Some of you may think that I am being far-fetched in this example. Yet, in the early days of quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry was ignored by Soviet chemists. The result was a lack of progress in theoretical chemistry by the Soviets. It appears that some Soviet communist party theologians felt that quantum mechanics was anti-Marxist. Creationism is a threat to science. The threat is not posed by the "scientific" arguments of creationists, but to the scientific method itself. If we are not careful we may find out that instead of validating scientific theory on the lab bench, we would have to use the Bible as a yard stick. Creationists and other fundamentalists may not only pose a threat to scientific research, but could also restrict our freedom in other areas. We should remember that Khomenism may not only be restricted to Iran. Creationists should not be discounted as a political force. (They even have a friend in the White House.) Creationists have the necessary financial and human resources to launch a political campaign designed to promote their "science". After all, Jerry Falwell is a creationist. Their ideas, which seem funny and bizarre to many of us, may be quite appealing to the vast and less educated segments of our society. -- Yosi Hoshen Bell Laboratories Naperville, Illinois (312)-979-7321 Mail: ihnp4!ihuxn!jho
krista@ihuxr.UUCP (k.j.anderson) (02/28/84)
Yosi,
I agree that creationism is a threat and that the politics
behind it must not be discounted. But, I think that scientists
or other interested people should continue to debate creationists.
To not oppose them is to show apathy which is a sign of political
weakness. It's a shame that anyone has to argue against silliness
but it's necessary when so many people are taking silliness seriously.
ihuxr!krista (k.j.anderson)