I haven’t seen the movie Expelled. But I have been engaged with the issues involved in intelligent design, and creation science for some time now. I am continually frustrated by both Christians, and non-Christians on the issue of Intelligent Design. I personally believe in God, but am of the opinion that in Public schools God should be taught in world view and religion classes, not classes that teach the empirical sciences. This is not a view I have always held. I used to be a staunch “Young Earth” creationist that believed that the world was created in Six 24 Hour periods, and thought that this is what should be taught in schools. Much has changed in my life since then, but I think I understand most sides of this issue pretty well.
After countless discussions on this issue I’ve recognized a few misconceptions people have on this subject on both sides. I’d like to clear them up, so hopefully we can quit shouting past each other and start learning from one another in love.
Top 10 things you should know
BEFORE arguing about Intelligent Design
- Not all creationists are whacked out crazies, but some of them are. I’m not going to name any names here, but I have met both. To those of you who believe in a designer make sure you check your sources. Intelligent design folks are notorious for getting their information wrong and not just the ones with DVDs and speaking tours. Even some Journals have a reputation for a less then adequate system of peer review. That being said, to those who don’t believe in a designer. Don’t be close-minded. Make sure you are LISTENING to what a person is saying, even if you disagree you can still learn, and be surprised. By pidgin holing anyone who believes in a creator as crazy, not thoughtful, or even “wrong” you are exhibiting the kind of blind assumption that frustrates you about the other side. LISTEN, CLARIFY WHAT YOU HEARD, REFLECT then speak. That goes for ALL SIDES INVOLVED.
- There is more then one kind of “intelligent design” and there is more then one kind of “evolutionist,” and sometimes people are both. I can’t tell you how many times I find I am judged before a single world leaves my mouth. People know that I am a Christian so they assume I am all sorts of things I am not. I find half of many of the conversations I have attempts to communicate who I am beyond my labels! Don’t judge before you listen. Just because someone believes in creation doesn’t mean they don’t believe in evolution. Just because someone believes in evolution doesn’t mean they don’t believe in the bible, and even if they don’t it doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them!!
- Public school science classes are not here to teach us what is true, but rather what is “empirically” true, to the best of our knowledge. Even if you know for a fact that God created the world there is NOT an empirical proof for a creator. What we teach in schools is the natural sciences. These are rational observations about the world based on what we can experience with our senses. Although the system makes some assumptions that may not be reliable it is the system that is being taught, and it does work most of the time. Just because you find evidence that the story of a God COULD work it doesn’t mean you have proof that there was indeed a creator.
- Intelligent design doesn’t always start with religion. There are a number of scientists and other folks who start with evidence and deduce there must be a creator. Not everyone is trying to fit the world into the bible. Some people simply believe the evidence points to a creator and make that jump independent of a religious tradition.
- Genesis can be seen in more then one way. Although many Christians, Jews, and Muslims do read their account of creation as a historical piece of work, many see it as poetic; others read it as theological, while still others find it cosmological. There are some who read it as social commentary, and others who see it as simply legendary. Most people read it in more then one of these ways. As a Christian I do not believe that it is heresy to read it any of these ways. I may believe someone is wrong, but I recognize that I might be too and choose to love them as a brother or sister in Christ regardless of their take on this. This is not an essential issue of our faith!
- The argument is not just a Christian one. As I mentioned above there are plenty of Jews, Muslims, and people of other faiths who believe in a designer, and within each faith there is a rich variety of opinion on the matter. Heck there are even Atheists who believe in forms of intelligent design!
- Both sides have their frauds. On the creationist side the are things like the “Burdick Print,” and on the evolutionist side there are things like “Piltdown Man.” When a hoax is discovered, and there certainly will be more to be sure, don’t make it the issue. Just because someone lies about something doesn’t mean everything they believe is now wrong.
- Darwin was not the last word on the matter. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life or The Origin of the Species as it is commonly known is not a sacred text. Darwin was a man who made mistakes just like everyone else. Evolution has changed dramatically since Darwin’s theory hit the scene in 1859. Don’t think that because you can debunk Darwin that you can debunk evolution. Make sure that you understand what you are talking about before you attack it. The same can be said to all sides involved.
- Science doesn’t have all the answers. The evolution taught today will not be the evolution taught in 10 years. The theories we have today are full of problems and paradoxes, and textbooks are usually about a decade behind in the times. There is a good chance that many of the things you believe today about the world we live in have already been revised and edited into something quite different. Don’t make what you believe something static and unchanging unless you like being wrong.
- You Tell me. Comment on this with what you think people should know about!
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