A couple days ago I made the testable prediction that the denial of tenure to Frank Beckwith would be turned into "those evil Darwinists did this" fodder by ID advocates. A couple of people challenged me on it, noting that no one had yet said that, but I replied that I was predicting that it would happen and that my prediction was, of course, testable. I know refer you to this post by John West of the Discovery Institute as confirmation of that prediction.
- Log in to post comments
More like this
On Friday, Baylor University officially notified Francis Beckwith that he was not being granted tenure for his position as associate director of the JM Dawson Institute for Church/State Studies. This is causing a good deal of hullaballoo, with claims of bias and, inevitably, accusations that this…
Bruce Chapman of the Discovery Institute provides us with the latest excuse for why ID has produced no supporting research: it's being done under double secret probation at an undisclosed location. He begins with this lurid metaphor:
The most important is that the Darwinist establishment would like…
During his testimony, Michael Behe continually brought up the big bang as being comparable to intelligent design. His intent was to show that some people objected to the big bang because it had religious implications as well, but that didn't mean that the big bang theory wasn't a genuine scientific…
The DI has, predictably, issued a press release spinning yesterday's announcement from the board of the Biological Society of Washington. Also predictably, it contains several misrepresentations. That's what you have to do when the facts are against you, so it's hardly a surprise. The distortions…
So ... there are testable predictions related to ID after all?? :-)
I was surprised at West's restraint ... he went three paragraphs before mentioning Dembski ...
I am unfamiliar with the situation at Baylor, but I am familiar with the activities of the Southern Baptist Convention, of which the Baptist General Convention of Texas appears to be associated. One thing the SBC has done or attempted to do is purge all schools affiliated with them of any faculty that do not adhere to their loyalty oath, or whatever they may call it. Given this, it is ironic that anyone would accuse a Baptist-affiliated university of being liberal in any sense. It is the height of ignorance or stupidity to confuse Baptists with us evil Darwinists.
Expect this line to be quote-mined, Scott.
But Beckwith has a problem: His views are out of sync with the left-wing ideologues who control much of American academia.
Baylor is run by left-wing ideologues? Damn, who knew?
West: "Baylor's close-minded secular fundamentalists."
Yeah, all two of them. Of course this wouldn't be the first time that DI hacks didn't let reality get in the way of good rant.
Yes, it bears repeating: Baylor is a BAPTIST institution. Virtually all Baptists, especially those associated with the southern baptist convention, are christian FUNDAMENTALISTS. They believe the bible is literally true. "Secular fundamentalists", indeed. What a moron.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is here in Louisville, not too far from the Presbyterian Seminary. Before the fundies took over the SBC, both seminaries were reknowned for the quality of their teachers and the thoughtfulness of their missions. After the fundies took over the SBC, any prof at the SBTS who did not agree to the "loyalty oath" (or whatever it was called) was pressured to leave. All did, stripping a once fine institution of a terrific, progressive faculty. What choice did they have? Either leave or be absolutely miserable.
Now the SBTS counts among its faculty William Dembski. How far the institution has fallen ...
The SBC has completed the takeover of a nice little college in my hometown. It was an openly religious college but it also offered a respectable liberal arts education. Even before the SBC takeover, I saw an ad for a geology instructor that required as part of the application a statement of religious belief. Now it is likely that the college will be turned into a bible school.