Hi Becky,

You wrote:
>Bottom line - if we only believed those things that could be
>proven, our lives would certainly be dreary little affairs,
>wouldn't they?

    Without getting into a philosophical/theological debate, this is an
oft-made criticism/observation of secular humanists, positivists,
rationalists, empiricists, etc.  But those who adhere to these (and similar)
philosophies seem satisfied with the fullness that life in the 'here and
now' provide . . . 

* enjoy the sensations of a blossoming flower without requiring a
supernatural explanation for its existence and complexity

* begin and end each day with a personally established imperative to make a
positive difference in the world without fear of retribution by a divine
entity hurling lighting bolts

* live with an understanding that people control some measure of destiny
without an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent power playing "Risk" by
involving him/her/itself in human geopolitics

* etc.

    Whilst "intelligent design" is part of American and world culture, let's
not judge too harshly those who wish to exclude theologically-based beliefs
from our political system (including the Smithsonian) so as to avoid
imposing beliefs on others who may believe differently.  We still have, as
citizens, a responsibility to permit (at least the illusion of) freedom of
association and practice, including the freedom to reject practice.
    At the same time, "intelligent design" falls equally in the agnostic and
(potentially) the atheistic camps.  After all, an atheist may take the laws
of thermodynamics -- combined with other physics, chemistry, and biology
laws and theories -- that resulted in this universe, earth, and human
organisms to be "intelligent design" by the laws of chance.  (I question how
intelligent is the design.  LOL!)

    It's a complex issue.  At minimum, there ought to be an opening for
public discussion of the various sides of this issue.  But to "rent" the
Smithsonian out for a private showing "co-sponsored" by the National Museum
of Natural History . . . that ought to be viewed as suspicious, if not
outrageous.  We are a plural society, despite the pseudo-pantheistic
Christian foundation(s) upon which the country was built.

Headed home for the evening with all sorts of unsettled feelings . . .

Best wishes,
Jay


Jay Heuman
Curator of Education
Salt Lake Art Center
20 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

tel: 801-328-4201 | fax: 801-322-4323
web: www.slartcenter.org




On 5/31/05 4:53 PM, "Rebecca Fitzgerald" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> No one has mentioned that many folks have no problem reconciling ID and
> evolution as compatible theories, and actually belief that the Big Bang and
> evolution were tools of a Greater Power. Also, when it comes down to a poll
> of people world-wide, I'm betting that ID is a more widely held belief
> system. 
> Bottom line - if we only believed those things that could be proven, our
> lives would certainly be dreary little affairs, wouldn't they?
> Becky Fitzgerald
> Executive Director
> Susquehanna Museum

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).