Scientists Challenge Evolutionary Theory
Scientists who challenge evolutionary theory will hold an ''uncommon dissent forum''
Fitting with the current debate over evolution and creation, scientists who challenge Darwin’s theory of evolution will convene in South Carolina in August for an open forum to both inform and discuss the theory.
Titled “Uncommon Dissent Forum, Scientists Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing,” the conference features a panel of nine scientists who will air their criticisms of evolution.
Coordinator Lewis Young commented, “Since the science behind Darwin’s speculations is questionable, we’re making available to the public an accomplished panel of thinkers and researchers in the scientific community who have an open mind toward the evidence and who want to stimulate debate.”
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Among the panelists are biochemist and author of Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution, Dr. Michael Behe, and the author of Icons of Evolution: Why much of what we teach about evolution is wrong, Dr. Jonathan Wells.
Young consulted with the Seattle-based Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, known as a national think-tank for intelligent design. Intelligent design is one of the most recent theories challenging evolution and states that the world is so complex, there must be a divine creator.
With the support of over 350 scientists, the Discovery Institute issued a “Scientific Dissent from Darwinism” that says, “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life.”
Such views are the focus on the upcoming conference, to be held in Greenville, South Carolina from August 4-6.
“This conference will benefit anyone interested in free inquiry regarding theories and facts about evolution and the origins of life,” said Young.
State legislators will take up the issue when the new session begins in January. Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville) filed a bill on June 1 that would require the State Board of Education to set new science standards requiring the teaching of alternatives to evolution in public schools.
Although a great proportion of the state’s population is deeply religious, so far few have brought up the issue of the teaching of evolution in schools. This may be due to the problems faced in other states when the issue is opened up.
In Pennsylvania, preliminary hearings were heard last Thursday regarding a lawsuit filed against the Dover Area school district for the teaching of intelligent design in ninth-grade biology classes. In Kansas, efforts to introduce intelligent design into the science curriculum resulted in heated debates in May. State officials are currently deciding on whether or not to alter science standards to incorporate intelligent design.
In both cases, challenges were brought against the school boards for violation of the First Amendment, which prohibits the teaching of creationism in public schools. Fair’s bill does not specifically talk about intelligent design, but would require that “the full range of scientific views” on evolution be taught in science classes.
