How many of you happened to watch the PBS NOVA program on the intelligent design case in Dover, PA? It was absolutely stunning.

It showed how the intelligent design proponents define what a scientific theory is. Under such a definition “psuedo sciences” like astrology can be considered “valid scientific theories.” Also, central to the case was how the proponents of intelligent design lied, committed perjury in an effort to mask intelligent design’s connection with religion. Revealed was how defenders of science, ultimately including the judge in the case, received death threats from religious fanatics.

It also shows how elegantly the sole scientific witness for intelligent design was debunked by his own cited reference! And how ‘expert witnesses’ for intelligent design largely folded.

This program will be available for viewing on the PBS website by this weekend in its entirety. I strongly suggest everyone who is a proponent of intelligent design should watch this. It shows the issue from both scientific and sociological angles.

It backs up what I’ve been saying all along. Not to sound elitist, but the fact remains and is made unmistakably obvious in this documentary, those that do not accept the theory of evolution do not understand 1) the science, and 2) what constitutes a ’scientific theory.’ The case was a slam dunk.

Debates such as these that involve science are fundamentally hampered by a basic lack of knowledge of those that participate. I am proud to see the teachers of Dover, some who are devote Christians, stand up for science in the classroom.

I am stunned by the title of this post. This is media at it’s best. The bias here is clearly due to a religious agenda and the inadequacy of the complaint is further bolstered by the cited blogger’s (Nathan) lack of ability to grasp the scientific aspects of this documentary. I won’t waste space by refuting each of his points but if you watch the documentary, perhaps you’ll be able to grasp these scientific concepts for yourself and see what the intelligent design movement is all about.

Watch it at the PBS website.

Thanks for the props Katherine and thanks for William for creating some discussion.

First, let me apologize for the stupid antics that were conducted by people who labeled themselves Christians. Just because people attach a given label or identity to themselves does not mean they actually walk by its principles. (in this case–this in a very dramatic and un-Christian way) However, to use that as an indict Christian principles–only individuals people who misapplied it.

Alternatively, science has folks who do evil stuff in its name too. Just look to the work of leftist Brian Martin’s critique of science (war, repression, environment, poverty, patriarchy, etc..) http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/93sthv.html (to which I would add racism and colonialism and militarism). So please, please, please don’t lay the errors of supposed adherents at my feet or those of Christianity.
Every ideology has folks who misapply that ideology and create negative stereotypes.

Second, on the issue of science–not like the actual documentary, omits any discussion of the scientific merits of evolution. Similarity in structure only feeds the case of Intelligent Design–that these things are ordered.

Third, the bias of the documentary. It happens on at least three levels. Initially, 75% of the quotes on the creationism side come from non-scientists–(the primary arguments presented were faith based in nature–they made the creationists look like fanatics–while not portraying scientific fanaticism or the worship of science) (not because scientists who believe it to be true weren’t available) but because that made the PBS case stronger. Second,
the discovery of the new fossil (in 2004) wasn’t covered from both sides–while in sharp contrats–the issue of the flagellum was. So, on the issue of bias–I’m not sure how the advocates of the pro-PBS position have a leg to stand on. Asserting the bias doesn’t exist, when I’ve given two rather acute versions, is like asserging the sky is red.

Comments? Feelings? Scientific reasoning?

If you believe the science presented by the show or you don’t believe there is bias, please refer to someone on the frontlines of the discussion:

http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/11/pbs_airs_its_inherit_the_wind.html#more

The first sentence of Coble’s quote of Nathan:

“This seems to suggest a larger problem in 1 hour documentaries. ”

Well, this was an extremely thorough TWO HOUR documentary (Nathan has already changed his post). The Creationist Discovery Institute with their “wedge strategy” was caught red handed. Their responses of course claim no knowledge that their book’s earlier drafts were changed - earlier drafts of the book showed the word “creationist” was used instead of “intelligent design.” Their so-called ’scientific opinions’ are not supported by the peer-reviewed scientific community. They make no valid comment about how Darwin’s theory has successfully predicted the lines of fossils found today and the advent of genentics that has further verified and strengthened the validity of evolutionary theory.

Science has no agenda but the truth and the intergrity of the scientific method. The Discovery Institute on the other hand has a clear agenda. From wiki:

The wedge strategy is a political and social action plan authored by the Discovery Institute, the hub of the intelligent design movement. The strategy was put forth in a Discovery Institute manifesto known as the Wedge Document,[1] which describes a broad social, political, and academic agenda whose ultimate goal is to “defeat [scientific] materialism” represented by evolution…”

Caught red-handed. Science wins, the Discovery Institute’s divisive ‘wedge strategy’ loses and they are exposed for what they are - a psuedo science that has no place in education - A Bush appointed judge agreed. Bravo.

At a time where US science education is falling behind that of industrialized nations, we can not tolerate those like the Discovery Institute that want to polute science education with religiously inspired psuedo science. It’s time to come into the 21st century.

WATCH IT:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/id/program.html