Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
…and this is a pharyngula stage embryo.
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As I told Newsweek, human evolution is not my scientific specialty, so I'm not willing to offer my scientific opinion about whether human beings are descended from apes. I happen to believe for theological reasons that human beings couldn't have evolved from apes, but I don't think that there is solid scientific evidence for such a conclusion, so I don't think that we should teach it in schools, and in any case it is not part of the scientific theory of intelligent design. Those who cite the genetic similarity of human beings and apes as scientific evidence for their common ancestry are no better off than I am, since they find the inference compelling only because they are in the grips of an ideology—naturalism—that is in truth no more scientific than my theological beliefs. Indeed, what we should be telling students is that human beings and apes are genetically similar, but there is a scientific controversy about what accounts for that similarity: common ancestry or common design.
Stephen Meyer, Discovery Institute
The proper reverence due those who have gone before
The evolution of deuterostome gastrulation
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Category: Godlessness
Posted on: October 7, 2007 6:00 AM, by PZ Myers
So I missed the Atheist Alliance convention. I'm still going to make it to the Freedom From Religion Foundation convention in Madison on 12-14 October. Who else will be joining me there?
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Comments
Posted by: Kuhlmancanadensis | October 7, 2007 7:59 AM
Argh! That's probably the closest an atheist convention will ever get to Upper Michigan. I'd go if I wasn't broke. Not to mention I love the FFRF. :(
Posted by: Shirley Knott | October 7, 2007 8:15 AM
I hope to be there.
hugs,
Shirley Knott
Posted by: mndarwinist | October 7, 2007 9:10 AM
I haven't seen you in quite a while, professor. I look forward to seeing you in Madison.
Posted by: DrBadger | October 7, 2007 10:02 AM
It'll be good to see Madison get a little bit more godless.
Posted by: Brennon | October 7, 2007 10:07 AM
?!?!?!!?
YEA! I definitley have to go! It's too close to resist!
Posted by: Chris Hallquist | October 7, 2007 11:42 AM
I'll be there--hopefully will bump into you.
Posted by: Leni | October 7, 2007 12:20 PM
I live literally 2 blocks from the Terrace. It would be a darn shame to miss it.
I'm still recovering from a recent splurge, so I don't know if I can afford tickets for the convention, though. Which is too bad because I'd really like to see Julia Sweeney, but I can definately afford a beer during one of the breaks!
Posted by: Rebecca | October 7, 2007 12:27 PM
I'll be there!
Posted by: Inoculated Mind | October 7, 2007 1:02 PM
I believe I will be able to attend most of the convention.* Hey, looks like we'll be able to have that beer after all. Essen Haus would be a good place for a Pharynguloid meetup, too, very close very close to the Terrace.
If people coming to the event think that would be a good place to hang out, relax, and have a drink, we can formulate plans later this week.
Dang, didn't realize it would be so soon!
*I'll know more details when the Goddess wakes from her holy slumber.
Posted by: Sastra | October 7, 2007 1:45 PM
Me, me! I will be there, and will join in with any Pharynguloidal communal activity. Keep us posted ...
Posted by: obscured by clouds | October 7, 2007 8:30 PM
I hope you'll be able to make the next AAI! The crowd did cheer when you where mentioned.
Posted by: Monado | October 8, 2007 12:39 AM
You'll just have to organize the next one for sometime between Sept. 5 and Sept. 9 in 2008. I expect to be in Madison then to watch the Wisconsin Ironman.
Leni, just put it on the never-never (credit cards), because how often does the convention come to you? You're saving on travel costs.
Posted by: MReap | October 8, 2007 11:16 AM
I'll be in Madison the 12-13 but for the North Central Region meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education at the Edgewood campus site.
Posted by: Leni | October 8, 2007 1:05 PM
Monado,
Ha ha. What never-never card? It's got like 4 bucks left on it, lol.
I have a furniture buying problem. We'll see though. I might be able to schmooze my way with a friend.
And the Essen House is alright with me. Not very exciting, but there are bar-wenches. I have a feeling PZ'd like that. Dane has better beer, but I'll go anywhere.
Is there any chance we can get Christopher Hitchens to come along? I'd sort of like to buy him several rounds of shots and see what happens. Morbid curiousity, I know ;)
Posted by: anon | October 8, 2007 2:34 PM
Hey PZed, I'll be at the FFRF convention.
I was organizing a meetup for saturday lunch over at the IIDB boards.
I'll post the location later when I get home. Home to see ya and the rest of the Pharyngulites there!
Cheers
Lane aka Worldtraveller
Posted by: Fastlane | October 9, 2007 1:30 PM
Fellow pharyngulites:
Many IIDBers are having a meetup during lunch (12-2) saturday the 13th. at an Irish pub within walking distance of the convention meeting area.: http://www.brocach.com/
Feel free to join us there.
Post here if you think you will be there, and I will make reservations this thursday afternoon.
Cheers!
Posted by: Leni | October 9, 2007 6:09 PM
I'll be there! Probably!