Month: February 2009
Academic Freedom Day Video and Essay Contest Winners
We’re happy to announce the winners of the 2009 Academic Freedom Day Video and Essay Contest. We had lots of great entries, but the judges have narrowed it down and finally selected a Grand Prize overall winner ($500 award), and a 1st place winner ($250 award) in each category. Grand Prize Overall Winner: Joshua Owens, Forth Worth, TX (read the essay here). 1st Place Essay Winner: Jaron Daniel Schoone, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (read the essay here). 1st Place Video Winner: David Daudelin, Hackettstown, NJ (watch the video here). Essay honorable mention: Sarah Horton, Grove City, PA (read the essay here). Video honorable mention: Brian Miller, Amy Ingermanson, Michael Curtain and Aubrey Burd, Battleground, WA (watch the video here).
Other Views on Darwin on His Big Day
The number of fawning pieces about Charles Darwin of late have been overwhelming, to say the least. Likewise the celebrations at biology departments across the country are in full swing today with cake eating contests, Darwin carols, game shows, honorary operas, and even the minting of new money with his likeness in the UK. But there are some over takes on Darwin and his legacy, including a number of articles we’re happy to highlight for your Darwin Day reading pleasure. Professors Show Need for Academic Freedom Bill by The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board, The Oklahoma Daily Happy Atheist Day by Dr. Michael Egnor, Evolution News & Views Happy Darwin Day? by Dr. Jonathan Wells, The Washington Times Darwin, Intelligent Design, Read More ›
Happy Atheist Day
Dr. Steven Novella recently took issue with an essay I wrote for Forbes.com. Forbes has a fair survey of differing opinions on Darwin’s theory, which, of course, has angered Darwinists, who realize that the continued viability of Darwin’s theory depends on its insulation from criticism. They censor criticism of Darwinism in schools, and they aren’t happy to see the weaknesses of Darwinism discussed in the public forum, along with its strengths. In my essay, I reviewed some of the scientific problems with Darwin’s theory, and I pointed out that Darwinism is itself a religious ideology. Darwin’s theory is the creation myth of atheism. Dr. Novella begins:
Darwin Day Poll Shatters Stereotypes: Democrats Favor Freedom to Discuss Evolution’s Strengths and Weaknesses More than Republicans
From the new Zogby poll this week: QUESTION: Would you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that teachers and students should have the academic freedom to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution as a scientific theory? Strongly agree 54% Somewhat agree 26% Total Agree 80% Somewhat disagree 6% Strongly disagree 11% Total Disagree 16% Not sure 4% A large majority of respondents (80%) agree that teachers and students should have academic freedom to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution as a scientific theory, with more than half (54%) saying they strongly agree. Only 16% disagree. Although the media consistently portray support for the freedom to discuss both sides of the evolution debate as Read More ›
Reviewing Jerry Coyne, Part 3: The National Academy of Sciences Statement on Religion and Science.
Darwinist Dr. Jerry Coyne, in his New Republic article “Seeing and Believing; The never-ending attempt to reconcile science and religion, and why it is doomed to fail,” quotes the National Academy of Sciences on the reconciliation of religion and science. The NAS statement is worth a post on its own. Dr. Coyne notes: The National Academy of Sciences, America’s most prestigious scientific body, issued a pamphlet assuring us that we can have our faith and Darwin, too: “Science and religion address separate aspects of human experience. Many scientists have written eloquently about how their scientific studies of biological evolution have enhanced rather than lessened their religious faith. And many religious people and denominations accept the scientific evidence for evolution.” Science Read More ›