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Devolved Debate

Ben Stein's attack on evolution is the same old tired, mindless debate, says Abid Mujtaba

By: Abid Mujtaba

Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Opinion
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Media Credit: Fred Lambuth
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It has been 126 years since Charles Darwin entered the void or met his maker (oh dear, the first sentence and already we have struck a matter of contention). Well over a century later, the majority of the species homo sapiens is still unable to digest his discovery and put this tired debate to rest.

The issue has come up again thanks to the documentary "Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed," written, starred and directed by Ben Stein. After much dreaded anticipation, I finally watched the movie and came out seething.

Let me begin by saying that as a member of the scientific community, I would like to apologize to those who believe that Darwinian Evolution is a sham. We are sorry, we have failed you miserably. Only someone completely lacking basic knowledge of biological science and rational thought could have come up with such drivel or agreed with Ben Stein on the wrong side of an issue long resolved.

"Expelled" begins with a decent enough premise: some scientists in the United States are being persecuted for espousing a belief or interest in intelligent design. I don't agree with some of the verbs used, but it is a decent hypothesis. Stein talks to these poor scientists and generates sympathy. If the claims of these people are true (check local blogs for counter opinions), then it is definitely a tragedy - curtailing scientific inquiry, no matter how misguided, is anathema to scientific progress. Well done, Ben Stein.

If the documentary had ended here, after the first 10 minutes, it would have been a reasonable venture. But Ben "David" Stein then takes on Big "Goliath" Science and uncovers the awesome conspiracy of atheists, eugenics-proponents, Nazis and anti-Semites of all varieties, Planned Parenthood, the courts, the media and the government to collectively promote "Darwinism" and squash intelligent design.

Let one thing be clear: the consensus opinion of the scientific community is that the theory of neo-Darwinism is absolutely valid and represents our best explanation for the diversity of life on the planet.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 72

W.C. Edmunds

posted 4/29/08 @ 3:13 AM CST

Abid, I applaud your scientific perspective on this subject. Alas, the usage of science and reason is inherent in an article in this paper. Therefore, let me be the first to excoriate your arrogant supposition that science supersedes the actions of an omnipotent being. (Continued…)

(3 replies)   Details   Reply to this comment

Lisa

posted 4/29/08 @ 8:02 AM CST

Spoken like a true scientist. Just 700 short years ago the greatest "scientist" thought the world was flat. All they had to do to prove or disprove it was sail it. (Continued…)

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Kyle Richter

posted 4/29/08 @ 8:27 AM CST

It seems that this is another part of Abid's saga as he rambles his way through yet another article attacking Christianity. You are right, the debate does not end and both sides won't ever agree, but that is the extent of what isn't drivel coming out of your pen. (Continued…)

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Michael

posted 4/29/08 @ 9:24 AM CST

C'mon Kyle even the pope admits that evolution is compatable with religion.

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Tim

posted 4/29/08 @ 10:00 AM CST

How can evolution be compatible with religion when Gen 1:12,24 explicitly state that plants and animals will "yield seed after their own kind".

I do not understand how you can logically argue that something of the intelligence of a human could evolve from a micro-organism as Darwin states. (Continued…)

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Tim's Friend

posted 4/29/08 @ 11:15 AM CST

You are acting as a fiction book is scientific proof.

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Reginald

posted 4/29/08 @ 11:47 AM CST

Wow, a very well thought out article and all the comments are the usual crazy vitriol of the far-right - are all Aggies really this dumb?

Longhorn here, laughing at you. (Continued…)

(3 replies)   Details   Reply to this comment

Matt

posted 4/29/08 @ 12:05 PM CST

I'm sorry, the majority of people haven't been able to digest the theory of evolution? That seems slightly off when, according to a poll which can be found here (http://news. (Continued…)

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Gil Rosenthal

posted 4/29/08 @ 12:56 PM CST

As an evolutionary biologist, I applaud Abid's piece. This is the most cogent response to "intelligent design" I've seen in a long time. Whatever your particular beliefs, it is the ultimate intellectual and moral cop-out to sweep any phenomenon under the cozy rug of divine intervention. (Continued…)

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Jill

posted 4/29/08 @ 2:29 PM CST

I quite enjoyed reading this article. Very well thought-out and written.

I am saddened, however, at the number of comments above that claim ID is a suitable replacement to the theory of evolution. (Continued…)

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