Mary,
I did preface my remarks with the fact that I tend to be reactionary.....
I hope I was not making fun of ID believers, as that was not my intent. I
certainly have all the respect for their faith that they are due, or for
anyone else's philosophical points of view. What I may think of their faith
on a philosophical level is not relevant. I apologize if I misrepresented
that understanding.
The problem is not that they choose to express their faith in this way, or
even that the Smithsonian chooses to give donors favors and accommodate
their agendas. The problem is that ID claims to be science, but is not. It
is faith. The Smithsonian is then endorsing a Christian fundamentalist
point of view in a federally funded educational institution, as well as
giving tacit credence to the notion that ID is science, simply by
association with the Smithsonian and its reputation for scholarship. If you
do not find that horrifying, then perhaps simply wrong would suffice.
Yes, museums would be the perfect place for this sort of exchange, but only
if there was something to exchange. In this case there is no discussion to
be had, and nothing to be learned. ID offers no new information beyond the
assumption of divine creation as found in Genesis. It sets forth no new
theories to be studied, nor does is provide any point counterpoint to its
arch rival evolution, which can be debated. It is an old approach in a new
shiny package. It is absolutely not a matter of presenting both sides of a
debate, since neither side is even working in the same realm of discourse.
The presentation of ideas, both old and new are certainly lofty goals for
all of our institutions. However, I should hope we would all balk at
presenting any idea which intentionally distorts or misrepresents facts for
any reason, much less religious ones.
Indeed no one is being forced to watch such movies, at the Smithsonian,
yet. However, I doubt they will be playing a pro-evolution video in
conjunction, as they are suggesting we need to be doing in our kid's
biology classes. Your children will be forced to watch them if they get
their way.
As was suggested with the previous ID discussion that we had on the
listserve a few months back... Anyone interested in the topic should Google
"intelligent design", read the information presented on the top two or
three hits, then make up your own mind.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850
Mary Rogers
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ID Movie at Smithsonian
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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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