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

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Rebecca M. Trussell
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 5:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ID Movie at Smithsonian

Robyne,
Thanks for pointing this out. I didn't automatically think of the
presentation in historical terms. Perhaps the National Museum of American
History would provide the appropriate venue, in that case, not the National
Museum of Natural History which unequivocally recognizes the  the
scientific method for the proving of theories.  

Rebecca Trussell

> [Original Message]
> From: Robyne Miles <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 5/31/2005 4:57:52 PM
> Subject: Re: ID Movie at Smithsonian
>
> Sadly, I would say that there is one part of S.I.'s mission that actually
> fits this circumstance:
>
> "authoritative experiences that connect us to our history and our heritage
> as Americans"
>
> No doubt these people are authorities on I.D., and as frightening as it
is,
> this is indeed part of both our history and our heritage as Americans. 
Ugh.
>
> DISCLAIMER: This comment does not in any way support the idea of holding
> this event there.  As many have stated, I think without an actual forum to
> debate varying ideas, having the film there is quite simply crap (I'm
> feeling eloquent).
>
> On 5/31/05 11:44 AM, "Rebecca M. Trussell" <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > Considering the Smithsonian's mission statement, as refined by Secretary
> > Small, the Smithsonian does not seem to serve itself in any way other
than
> > financially by housing a program on ID unless it results from bona fide
> > scientific research, peer-reviewed and published in a recognized
scientific
> > journal. Founder Smithson's broad-brush mission statement might be
> > interpreted to allow such a program, but the same interpretation could
also
> > support programs exploring the existence of an Aryan race and asserting
UFO
> > existence based on eye-witness testimony.
> > 
> > Perusing the Discovery Institute's website gives one the distinct
> > impression that hocus-pocus can easily masquerade as science with the
help
> > of a slick website.
> > 
> > 
> > http://www.si.edu/about/mission.htm
> > "I then bequeath the whole of my property...to the United States of
> > America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian
> > Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of
knowledge..."
> > James Smithson (1765-1829)
> > 
> > 
> > "The Smithsonian is committed to enlarging our shared understanding of
the
> > mosaic that is our national identity by providing authoritative
experiences
> > that connect us to our history and our heritage as Americans and to
> > promoting innovation, research and discovery in science. These
commitments
> > have been central to the Smithsonian since its founding more than 155
years
> > ago."
> > Lawrence M. Small, Secretary of the Smithsonian
> > 
> > http://www.discovery.org/
> > Intelligent design is "simply the argument that certain features of the
> > natural world?from miniature machines and digital information found in
> > living cells, to the fine-tuning of physical constants?are best
explained
> > as the result of an intelligent cause." Jay W. Richards
> > 
> > Rebecca Trussell
> > 
> > 
> >> [Original Message]
> >> From: Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]>
> >> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Date: 5/31/2005 1:47:07 PM
> >> Subject: Re: ID Movie at Smithsonian
> >> 
> >>     I think we all must keep in mind, the Discovery Institute gave a
> >> contribution of $16,000 to the Smithsonian and, just like any other
donor,
> >> they have been granted permission to use the auditorium to screen their
> >> movie.
> >>     Whether one is sympathetic with the contents of the movie, the
system
> >> has this 'loophole.'  The Discovery Institute is not abusing or
misusing
> > the
> >> system.
> >>     However, perhaps the system should be changed once we ask
ourselves:
> > Who
> >> should decide what can be shown in the Smithsonian's facilities
following
> >> such a donation?  Do we want Holocaust deniers giving money to the
> >> Smithsonian for the right to show revisionist propaganda?  Do we want
the
> >> KKK donating money so as to conduct a 'White Power' lecture series?  I
can
> >> come up with dozens of other scarier thoughts than an intelligent
design
> >> movie.
> >> 
> >>     [Note: I'm not a supporter of the Design Institute, their
> >>     ideas, or their movie.  I am a supporter of consistency in
> >>     museum policy.]
> >> 
> >> Best wishes, sincerely,
> >> 
> >> 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 11:07 AM, "Mary Rogers" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >>> Hello Everyone,
> >>> I have been hearing a lot lately about ID...mostly by way of various
> > groups
> >>> (radio stations, etc.) making fun of ID believers.  Now we have
listers
> >>> calling the showing of this movie at the Smithsonian shameful and
> > horrifying.
> >>> Although some would call people who believe in ID narrow-minded, I am
> > feeling
> >>> compelled to put that same label on those who are bashing those
> > believers and
> >>> also those who are so concerned about this situation.
> >>> My comments and questions:
> >>> It sounds to me like no one is going to be FORCED to watch this movie
> > at the
> >>> museum.  Those who want to watch it may do so.
> >>> Individuals may choose to believe in whatever they want, no matter how
> >>> ridiculous I think it sounds.
> >>> Aren't museums the perfect place for this type of exchange to take
> > place?  If
> >>> not here, then where?  Do we think that because we don't like what
> > these IDers
> >>> are saying that we shouldn't let anyone else hear, either?  Isn't it
our
> >>> mission and job to present ideas?
> >>> I tend to be somewhat skeptical, but I think that most big-money
donors
> > to
> >>> museum have some type of agenda for which they intend to use the
museum
> > to
> >>> further. Isn't this the way the world works?
> >>> Thanks. Keep up the good work.
> >>> Mary Rogers 
> >> 
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