You Won’t Believe What Evolutionists Are Celebrating Now

Who do these people remind you of....? http://cluborlov.blogspot.co.uk/ Axel

"Here’s what I don’t understand – if evolution is just regarded as a scientific idea, and not a religious idea, why does Jerry care so much whether or not people 'accept' it, rather than just whether or not they know it and are familiar with it?" That's actually a very good question. Maybe this quote from another biologist will help you understand. "For all of those who do see the overwhelming evidence of natural selection and life's descent from ancestors, and the immense span of time over which the story of life unfolded, it is, to put it mildly, baffling how so many still do not. It is absolutely astonishing and often infuriating that some take it so far as to deny the immense foundation of evidence and to slander all the human achievement that foundation represents." -- Sean B. Carroll Human Ape

johnnyb, Because religion and blind-watchmaker evolution (BWME) both factor into the "culture war." Coyne hates religion and its effects on society. In his mind, a point scored for BWME is a point scored against religion and against the effects of religion. Maybe his best friend is a homosexual. mike1962

Here's what I don't understand - if evolution is just regarded as a scientific idea, and not a religious idea, why does Jerry care so much whether or not people "accept" it, rather than just whether or not they know it and are familiar with it? For instance, economists don't go around worrying about whether or not people in the country "accept" the law of supply and demand. They surely want to educate people on it, but they don't get worked up if someone disagrees - for good or bad reasons. johnnyb

Folks: This is a JOURNAL article? In a JOURNAL of "organic evolution"? Let me give the abstract in toto, under right of fair comment:

Evolution: international Journal of Organic Evolution [A leader in the field of ecology, evolutionary biology and genetics] [Edited By: Daphne Fairbairn] SCIENCE, RELIGION, AND SOCIETY: THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTION IN AMERICA Jerry A. Coyne1,2 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01664.x 2012 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2012 The Society for the Study of Evolution Keywords: creationism; evolutionary biology; education; religion; sociology ABSTRACT American resistance to accepting evolution is uniquely high among First World countries. This is due largely to the extreme religiosity of the U.S., which is much higher than that of comparably advanced nations, and to the resistance of many religious people to the facts and implications of evolution. The prevalence of religious belief in the U.S. suggests that outreach by scientists alone will not have a huge effect in increasing the acceptance of evolution, nor will the strategy of trying to convince the faithful that evolution is compatible with their religion. Since creationism is a symptom of religion, another strategy to promote evolution involves loosening the grip of faith on America. This is easier said than done, for recent sociological surveys show that religion is highly correlated with the dysfunctionality of a society, and various measures of societal health show that the U.S. is one of the most socially dysfunctional First World countries. Widespread acceptance of evolution in America, then, may have to await profound social change. 2012 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2012 The Society for the Study of Evolution

Is this supposed to be science or ideology? Has the author troubled himself to actually come to know the many thousands or millions of people whose lives have been transformed for the good by their Christian faith and experience of God the redeemer? Has he bothered to learn that while Christians and Christianity influenced communities and cultures are obviously not immune to the moral hazards of being human, the Christian faith and the cultures it has influenced have made major and positive contributions to society? Has he bothered to find out what actual Christian discipleship -- as opposed to nominal adherence does for people and how that affects communities? (Start with the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step programme.) This article, and its context of publication, seem to me to be evidence of radical ideologisaton and polarisation based on hostility and jaundiced stereotyping undermining institutions of science. Given the recent history of where such stereotyping, polarising indoctrnation and hostility can end up, it is time to call out both the author and the Journal on this. It matters not whether this is claimed to be merely an opinion piece hosted by the journal, this is beyond the pale of basic civil conduct. In the end, all this sort of behaviour will do is promote mischief and if unchecked it will end up discrediting science. GEM of TKI kairosfocus

This is too funny- my wife, who is from Argentina, complains that the US is not religious at all and has no national religion that it adheres to. But anyway, unfortunately for Coyne his evolutionism is a religion as it relies on faith and behind closed doors they worship Father Time + Mother Nature + some unknown material process. Joe