A not-unreasonable solution, in my opinion, given the current state of 
things and the policies of the Smithsonian itself.  We certainly may wish 
the Smithsonian hadn't put itself in this situation, but it is there and 
they probably did what they could given that fact.

In quoting Jefferson about the marketplace of ideas, I wasn't so much 
arguing that the Smithsonian itself (or at least the NMNH) ought to be *the* 
place to hear all sides of this debate (though it might yet be a good 
place).  Several people made the good point that the NMNH has a mission that 
is strictly scientific in purpose, and that I agree with.  I was arguing on 
a broader level that all sides should be heard in a debate of this nature.

In part, it was a response to the tone in a number of posts that strike me 
as being almost fear of ID and its proponents--that science somehow won't 
stand up in that marketplace of ideas in a fair "fight."  It is to this 
point that Jefferson spoke, for me.  I don't think science needs to fear 
going up against ID or religion as a teleology--unless of course the real 
concern is that science wouldn't get a fair hearing.  And if *that's* the 
case, the problem is in a social system that hasn't equipped us to handle a 
debate of this nature (in which at the very least we have to understand and 
agree on terms being used by all the participants in particular ways).  But 
then the solution isn't in choking off venues for ideas with which we may 
not agree--it is in reforming the social/educational system so that we can 
openly compare competing notions.  Marginalization of ideas is a poor 
solution, in my opinion, when open, informed debate is more likely to render 
a final verdict in the long run.

I happen to believe that ID as a particular response to Darwinism leaves a 
great deal to be desired--it may at most raise questions that science has 
not yet fully answered, but that doesn't mean science can't or won't answer 
them.  But at the same time, I have no problem agreeing with George's 
anthropologists, believing deeply in both a creator God and a natural world 
and its processes that we describe through science.  The division between 
religion and science is, to me, a false dichotomy--they concern themselves 
with different (but equally real) areas of the human experience.  In broad 
terms, one might say one is most concerned with "why" and the other with 
"how."

But then, that's wandering pretty far afield for a museum discussion list 
and I'll leave it at that!

Peace,

--Eric

Eric D. M. Johnson
Proprietor
The Village Factsmith Historical Research & Consulting
http://www.factsmith.com/
[log in to unmask]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Sally Shelton
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 8:49 AM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Message to the Museum Community


Posted on behalf of Dr. Samper.

>>> Cristián Samper 7:34 PM Tuesday, May 31, 2005, 2005 >>>

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History recently approved a 
request by the Discovery Institute to hold a private, invitation-only 
screening and reception at the Museum on June 23 for the film "The 
Privileged Planet." Upon further review we have determined that the content 
of the film is not consistent with the mission of the Smithsonian 
Institution's scientific research. Neither the Smithsonian Institution nor 
the National Museum of Natural History supports or endorses the Discovery 
Institute or the film "The Privileged Planet." However, since Smithsonian 
policy states that all events held at any museum be "co-sponsored" by the 
director and the outside organization, and we have signed an agreement with 
this organization, we will honor the commitment made to provide space for 
the event.

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