Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Michael Shermer to Critique Intelligent Design

The Metro State Atheists are sponsoring a lecture on February 17, 2010, against Intelligent Design by Michael Shermer, author of the unimpressive book, Why Darwin Matters. I reviewed this and one by Jon Wells, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, in The Denver Post in 2006. I hope to be at the Shermer event and ask a question or make a comment.

4 comments:

Steve Schuler said...

Although it may be construed as an irrelevant aside, I think it worthwhile to bring to light that Jonathan Wells comittment to debunking evolutionary theory was spawned, and has been sustained, by his participation in, and allegiance to, Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church. I presume you are familiar with both the good Reverend and his Church. Furthermore, Dr. Well's was previously involved in a movement which denied the connection between HIV virus and AIDS. I do not know his current position on the relationship between that virus and the medical syndrome.

I think this is pertinent and in accord with your recent post regarding the philosopher Heidegger and his association with the Nazi Party in Germany. When assessing anyone's thoughts and wisdom it is judicious to consider aspects of their person outside of the immediacy of a necessarily narrow aspect of their thinking that one might first encounter.

What comes to mind here is that well used expression, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". I suppose if the time comes when the enemy ("Darwinism") is defeated you can redirect your energies to defeating the cultish heresy that Jonathan Wells advocates as a member of the Unification Church. Until then it might be best to regard him as a "friend" in opposition to a common "enemy". No?

Quintessential said...

Thanks for posting your letter. Well written and straight to the point.

luke's mother said...

I think the most effective response is to soften the hearts of the Darwinists. Perhaps you could pray at the podium after asking your question? Courage is needed in the face of Darwinist oppression.

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D. said...

Q: It was a book review, not a letter.