Peer review review part three
Weird Science cartoons above. One reason I do what I do is to get people to think and not just accept the pablum held out on a spoon for them to swallow. I think the first cartoon is indicative of how easy it is for a YEC to get his research peer-reviewed by the Great Orthodoxy. For now.
The second is illustrative of how many teachers want their students. Just unthinking, believing, not questioning. Lemmings running blindly towards the cliff. Sad.
~~~
Here is the "rest of the story" concerning Earth Science Ireland and the attendant fuss posted on last...I have copied straight from CMI, much to the chagrin of some of you. But it illustrates that as YEC or ID proponents continue to fight prejudice and censorship we sometimes win small victories. A victory for free expression of scientific thought is a victory for science. Small minds like Richard Dawkins (small in focus not necessarily capacity) cannot bring themselves to face facts - they are not the High Priests of Information appointed to rule over all of humanity and censor scientists and their research and results! Next post will be an answer to Taxandrian concerning evolution and information...
Earth Science Ireland chastised over anti-Christian, anti-creationist attitude
An open letter geologist to geologist
Published: 9 September 2008(GMT+10)
Three articles appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of the magazine Earth Science Ireland1 that heaped ridicule and scorn on creationists. Angus Kennedy, a geologist who works in Northern Ireland, was so concerned that he wrote an open letter to the editor protesting the ill-informed and hostile attitude expressed in the articles. Angus had previously met the editor among a group of geologists whom he had conducted on a guided tour of two of the quarries where he works. In his letter, which is reproduced below, Angus concludes that it is only fair that the Editor now include the other side of debate in his earth science publication.
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
16th July 2008
Dr Tony Bazley
Editor, Earth Science Ireland
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
Dear Dr Bazley,
Ironically, the offending issue of Earth Science Ireland included an article about the ‘Waterford peperites’. Peperites point to large-scale, watery catastrophe but geologists are trained to discount any thought of Noah’s Flood.
May I reintroduce myself–a few years ago you spoke to me regarding the possibility of writing an article for your publication. I also met you last year in May–I am the geologist who conducted the guided walk around two of the quarries operated by the company I work for.
Though I do not subscribe to your Earth Science Ireland publication, I came across a copy of the Spring 2008, No. 3 Issue. I was much taken aback by the very anti-Christian and anti-creationist tone of three articles that appeared in it.
In talking with you previously, I said that I was a Christian and a creationist. I became a Christian before I went to Glasgow University where I studied geology for four years (1975–79). I recall my first palaeontology lecture given by Dr James Lawson. His opening statement was to tell us that ‘though we knew the Bible said that “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”, well, it didn’t happen like that!’ This upset me somewhat, but I accepted what was being taught, as at that time I didn’t know science based creation apologetics existed. Surprisingly, at the end of my studies I had not lost my faith, but I had rationalised the concept of long ages and evolution with the Genesis account by reasoning that God must have used evolution as a means of creation. This was the situation until I came across a copy of Whitcomb and Morris’s ‘The Genesis Flood’ five years later. I found their arguments in favour of a young-earth creation compelling. Since then, I have followed the subject with great interest.
I found their arguments in favour of a young-earth creation compelling.
Within the issue in question, Paul Lyle’s comment in his Chairman’s remarks ‘Just when we think that things cannot possibly get worse, along comes news that there is an active lobby putting forward a creationist view of the origin of the Causeway lavas–and wanting equal status with the scientific explanation in any future Visitor’s centre. Elsewhere in this issue you will read what we think about this!’ set the partisan tone against creationism which was greatly amplified in the two other articles.
In the Stratigraphic Commission’s article, the openly hostile comment, ‘The young-Earth creationists’ view of Earth history is quite simply wrong. It is a manifest untruth.’ belies their sop, ‘It is no attack on Christianity … to say that the Earth and its rocks stretch back to ages far greater than those claimed by the young-Earth creationists.’
Their view that had Archbishop Ussher ‘lived today and had access to the wealth of contemporary scientific knowledge, he would have seen the Biblical texts in a very different light.’ could just as easily be said of Darwin–had he lived today and had access to the wealth of contemporary scientific knowledge (e.g., still no (undisputed) missing links, nor any sign of finely graduated series of fossils linking phyla; so-called living fossils showing no change over the assumed millions of years hiatus between their fossil occurrence and the present; and developments in microbiology which show the sheer complexity of the cell), he too would almost certainly have seen his theory in a different light!
Some geologists want to suppress the creationist view for the origin of the Causeway lavas.
Has the Commission no thought for taxpayers such as me when they opine, ‘We do not question the right of creationists to hold or expound their views. We do, however, profoundly disagree with any suggestion that creationist views should be given significant space in publicly funded museums, visitor centres, school science lessons or science textbooks.’ Is it not somewhat ironic that Christian taxpayers find themselves in the position of funding atheistic evolutionary propaganda, whilst at the same time being denied any opportunity of publically putting forward their views–is this not censorship in another guise?
Tom Mason’s opinion piece, written to counter his perceived ‘local shift towards irrationality.’ descends rapidly to the level of a diatribe. I am surprised that such an ill-thought-out article could come from a man in his position and be printed. His statement ‘There remains, however, in the spectrum of both Christianity and Islam, fundamentalist minorities seeking the conversion of everyone to their belief systems, sometimes still advocating alarming violence to do so (the Inquisition and Jihad). I see this as a scary consequence of irrationality, and a stubborn lack of acceptance that others are equally entitled to hold diametrically opposing views to theirs’ unjustifiably conflates creationists with the Inquisition and Jihad, and appears to impugn creationists by implying that they would use force against those of opposing views. Is Mr Mason’s polemic not an indication that he too holds a stubborn lack of acceptance of others?
In expressing his view that science is ‘reason versus irrationality’, and belittling creationists as being both irrational and ignorant, and who are also deluded by a ‘god-given belief that [creationists] know better than others’, he appears to arrogate to himself an unassailable über-knowledge which he denies to the Christians’ omniscient Creator God (whom he also denigrates as ‘a god of ignorance’). That his knowledge is not certain nor unassailable is given away by his comments regarding scientific knowledge–it ‘changes on a daily basis’, and, ‘we place before our audiences’ [sic] scientific facts and try to explain them as best we can’. He frequently cites the need to infer and interpret the facts (i.e., trust me, I’m a scientist).
The putative evolution of the eye is more involved than suggested by Mason, with no clear path from simple to complex. Amongst evolutionists, the matter is so murky and involved that some suggest that eyes independently evolved at least 40 and as many as 65 times! The biochemistry of even the simplest conceivable ‘light-sensitive spot’ is going to be already horrendously (and probably irreducibly) complex, and no-one has come close to suggesting a credible biochemical pathway for its alleged evolution.
Mason rounds off his bald assertions regarding eye evolution with the non-sequitur that creationists can be easily countered as they know nothing about the topic! I beg to disagree. Creation science articles that I read have been written by bona-fide scientists, many with multiple degrees, and in many disciplines–e.g., biology, biochemistry, astronomy, mathematics, physics, geology etc.–and yes, ophthalmic science in the case of the eye’s alleged evolution. They do know what they are talking about.
It is a travesty for Mason to try to impugn creationists with his offensive assertion that ‘The god-given belief that you know better than others leads not only to intellectually impoverished intelligent designers but also to the aberrant psychology of jihadists and suicide bombers. They are two faces of the same coin …’
I wish to keep this letter as brief as possible, so I have avoided lengthy treatments of the scientific evidences against evolution and for creation. Creationist arguments are certainly cogent and not as misrepresented in the articles in question. An open-minded look at the creationist position on the web would confirm this. I can recommend CreationOnTheWeb.com and a browse through their FAQs section.
I will mention that in the years since I left university, a number of things that I was taught as axiomatic appear to have been overturned, for example:
- ‘High-grade’ metamorphic minerals have been found forming within hydrothermal piles on the ocean floor–not scores of kilometres down in the crust.
- Large-grained plutonic bodies can cool quickly–grain size is not dependent on cooling time, but on other factors, such as number of crystal nucleation centres and volatiles.
- Fine sediments and clay laminae can be laid down rapidly from flowing water–mudstone and shale do not require still waters and long periods to accumulate.
- Graptolites are not extinct!
- I have read the late Professor Derek Ager’s book ‘The New Catastrophism’–he recognised that sediments world-wide were laid down rapidly in catastrophic events, not in the uniformitarian slow and steady way postulated by Hutton and Lyell. All well and good from a creationist world-wide Noachian deluge point of view, as he had to grudgingly admit, but he couldn’t let go of millions of years and was thus reduced to positing that the time not seen in the actual rock layers was represented by untold periods of quiescence between layers. Layers that appeared for all intents and purposes to have been laid down contiguously.
Having studied both uniformitarian evolutionary geology and creation science apologetics, I am satisfied that the geological facts fit the young-earth creation model best. I consider that the eye-witness account given by the God of the Christian Bible (‘the only true God’, and his incarnate Son Jesus Christ–who is ‘the way, the truth and the life’) gives a more logical basis for the order we see in creation and purpose to our lives. We may look at the same facts–the rocks and fossils–but our underlying presuppositions are different, therefore our interpretations are different. For evolutionists to insist that they have science on their side is for them to ignore the difference between operational science–dealing with measuring tangible things in the here and now (how the world works if you like) and historical science–trying to find out what happened in times past when none of us were present. The first employs fundamental principles and repeatable measurements and experiments and has led to the breadth of modern technology we see today. The second relies on extrapolation of measurements (no matter how exact these measurements are), constructs (like the geological column), assumptions, and interpretation (no matter how scanty the evidence). Evolutionists would say I have faith in some imaginary being I can not see, ditto the evolutionist–he has faith in his interpretation of the remains of material things he did not witness at first hand–how they were formed, how they lived, how they died, how they were preserved, or the time-frame involved.
May I suggest that rather than reinforce an exclusive and singularly evolutionary point of view, why not open up your publication to debate with creationist scientists and test their mettle?
Finally, in defence of myself against evolutionists, I am not ignorant, violently threatening, peddling untruths, not a naked ape, nor evolved.
Yours sincerely,
Update 10 September 2008:The editor of ESI Magazine, Dr Tony Bazley, advised Angus Kennedy today that his letter will be in the next issue, which is currently at the printer and so should be out within 3 weeks. The letter has been edited to fit within the space limitations of the magazine but the sense is not expected to have been changed. Message from Dr Tony Bazley, 10 September 2008:Earth Science Ireland would never publish anything that is anti-Christian. There the author is quite wrong. It does like robust debate. The original articles can be found on: www.habitas.org.uk/es2k . Do read them. And 'Rescuing Genesis' in the issue to go online shortly, with Mr Kennedy's letter. Some readers’ comments on Angus Kennedy’s letter:Kathy W, Australia. Brilliant! Thanks from the bottom of my heart for an excellent, gentle but firm rebuttal of evolutionary bigotry. "… not a naked ape"… what wonderful words. --------- Fendall H, New Zealand Angus, excellent letter. It’s always hard to make all the key statements and keep such a letter suitably abridged, but you have done well. I look forward to hearing of any response. --------- Scott G, United States I just read Angus Kennedy’s letter to the editor, and my bottom jaw is left dangling open. I think his tactics and boldness were blended into a compelling argument. I pray that 1) the recipients might take a moment of thought to reconsider their paradigm, and 2) that we might eventually learn to use the information we receive from CMI in a similar, effective manner. --------- Luke, Canada. Touchdown Angus!!! --------- David C, Australia Excellent article Angus; rational, non-aggressive, and it addresses the pertinent points within the constraints of length for an article such as this. I’m so tired of hearing the science versus faith argument for origins (that evolution is science and creationism is faith). It’s encouraging to read another article that boils it down to what it really is: matching the facts with the most plausible explanation, and admission that the main contenders (evolutionary science and creation science) require faith. It’s simply a matter of where we place that faith; in God or the ever-changing theories of man. --------- R.F., Canada Bravo on your letter and Well done! Greetings from an American friend in Canada working on his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the age of 56. Cheering and praying for you guys—to the glory of God! --------- Carlton Rader, United States His comments were direct and right on point! Well done. The dogmatic faith these evolutionist have in ‘long ages’ amazes me. When they have a ‘calculated age’ how can they possibly know they've got it right? How does one calibrate a method that gives millions of years anyway? What do you check it against? --------- Jennifer T, Australia I am truly thankful to men like you with such understanding and knowledge to answer this kind of article as you did; and I really enjoyed reading it. --------- Katrina M, Australia It’s still so refreshing and empowering to read someone who is so articulate and informed about creation, speaking up. And YEAH why as a taxpayer DO I put up with no representation! Go get ‘em, Angus (means strength by the way). --------- Andrew M, South Africa I read the offending articles. It is interesting how they are preaching to their own converted. The trouble is, it is not so easy to explain the superiority of evolution to someone who does not already believe in it. --------- David H, Australia The power of this letter is quite refreshing. --------- Richard P, Australia What a great response! Scientists like these like to assume that they are rational thinkers, with a balanced mentality, until their "beliefs" are challenged. Far from adopting a response that you would expect from such distinguished professionals, like an unprejudiced, systematic, phsical, test of different theories to their own,(especially creation science) they are invariably reduced to a diatribe of childish name-calling and nonsensical argument. Their emotion displays their real "faith"...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh...Matt 12:34 Keep up the good work Brother. --------- Daiv F, United States At the time I read your letter, it appears that ESI has already agreed to publish your letter. I do hope that Dr. Bazley is not ostricized or even forced out of his position for making this fateful decision. As was brilliantly illustrated in the movie "Expelled", there are serious consequences for any evolutionist who gives nod towards a creationist for any reason. Time will tell. --------- Ed N, Canada A thoughtful and considerate letter. I too get frustrated by the confidence of people who believe in evolution when in truth it is far more accurate to call it another faith—and a faith in SPITE of a plethora of contradicting evidence. I am a professor of chemistry (organic) and I just wish I could get my reactions to spontaneously form new compounds like evolution purports. But no, I have to carefully control solvents, atmosphere, molarities, time etc to maybe get an overall 75% average yield. Then all the purifications etc. Oh yes, the chemicals making up life just happened AND THEN reacted to create more complex molecules which THEN self assembled to create a viable cell. Not from my experience and understanding of the molecular world! Evolution doesn't even have evidence for step 1. But the real question? Is anybody listening? --------- Frank M, Ireland Just to let you know Angus, your comment has touched base here in your own country too. Well done. --------- Roger S, New Zealand Thankyou Angus,and congratulations on your bold, knowledgeable reproof of Dr Bazley's bigotted comments. It is good to see a convinced Christian academic prepared to stand up and present the evidence and logicality of the creation model. --------- John H, Australia The creationist-evolutionist debate is about light and darkness. Only when a person accepts the truth of the God of the Bible will that person ever emerge out of the darkness they hide in. Paul knew this when he wrote his letter to the Romans: For although they knew God they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [1:21] --------- Karen S, Australia You encourage me to write to such editors. Although I am not well equipped to argue biology or physics, it is obvious that the evolutionist argument relies on attacking the character of anyone who disagrees with them, rather than presenting evidence for their theory (no surprise there since they lack the substance of their faith). The creationist on the other hand finds that the evidence supports the Biblical account and in turn strengthens conviction in its truth. It is also marvelous that evolutionists don't seem to realise that they are guilty of the crimes and attitudes that they project onto others. If as claimed abberant psychology manifests in offensive behaviour I can only conclude that these same evolutionists need to be investigated much like the unfaithful husband who accuses his innocent wife of adultery. Thank you Angus for the provocation to love and do good works and I will take every opportunity to follow through on it. --------- Peter R, New Zealand I enjoyed the mature, respectful yet direct and collegial tone of Angus Kennedy's letter. Yet, my main praise goes to Dr. Bazley for his scientific integrity in publishing the other side of the argument. --------- Otto I, Australia Great article, Angus. I believe we need to emphasise it's Evolutionary Faith we are dealing with and not evolutionary science. The Dewey classification puts Creation/Creationism under faith and religion while Evolution (or dare I say Evolutionism?) goes under Science. Isn't it time for honest classification? University students and others cannot find many creation textbooks in the science section of their libraries as they are under a different classification! Evolution faith should be the title of this religion and shown up for what it is! |