Posted by Tom on September 15, 1999 at 15:55:39:
In Reply to: How true posted by Robert on September 08, 1999 at 10:09:54:
: : “Is it using the scientific method in seeking knowledge of the mechanisms of
: : nature and the universe? If so, then charge me as guilty. Until another method of seeking this
: : knowledge is found that is superior, I'll stick with the scientific method. At least its self-correcting, as
: : opposed to religious dogma.”
: : Interesting to note that many who subscribe to religious dogma want, even demand scientific
: : method when it comes to their own health aided by medicine. Few are likely to take medicine
: : if it were dispensed with a statement that “the Lord has blessed this medicine and you must
: : trust that it will work.” Why is that? I submit it is because deep down, even the subscribers to
: : dogma know the dogma is flawed at best, and absurd at worst.
: R)In fact, it is our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses and bacteria, that enable the medical community to develop the correct medicines and antibiotics to help heal these "true believers". I suppose the next time their physician explains to them that a particular virus has now mutated, or evolved into one that is resistant to the antibiotic that has been used, the "true believer" can always dismiss evolution as untrue, and stick with the old antibiotic.
Your characterization of those who are skeptical about evolutionary doctrine is
something of a strawman argument. Even the most extreme biblical literalists do not
deny that bacteria mutate and that natural selection operates to
make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Nor do those who hold the doctrine of creation presume that
science is invalid--just because they doubt its power to explain everything. You seem to want to impose a
false dichotomy upon the religious believer--science or religion take your pick. That's not the issue in
public debates about evolution. The issue is the exaggerated claims that many
scientists make about the explanatory breadth of evolutionary mechanisms.