Seeking freedom in New Mexico

Transcript of today's show:

An anti-evolution bill appeared early on the law-making agenda for New Mexico’s 2007 legislative session. The controversial Academic Freedom bill would give educators the right to criticize evolution theory and teach alternatives. Representative W.C. Williams, the bill’s sponsor and a conservative Christian, says the bill appropriately questions Darwin. "There are many people who are absolutely convinced God did all of this," he says, "and if you have the faith I have, you will too." [source: Albuquerque Journal]


Listen to the 1-minute broadcast of this story [mp3]

Sound Off: Science & Faith. Our point/counterpoint regulars Shelley (the voice of science) and Peter (the voice of faith), comment on the story.

The Voice of Science: Shelley Greene, Ph.D., comments:
The legitimate criticizing of evolution will require another scientific theory of equal merit to be posited. You can’t use the ploy of offering alternatives to science theory when the alternatives are unscientific. Somehow in this debate, lawmakers and many Christians have forgotten that learning (education) is deeply based in questioning. Science is willing to question itself continuously, despite contrary claims of its opponents. Creation theory and its adherents are absolutist – unwilling to be questioned, unwilling to be wrong. This, in my book, warrants a firm and resolute disqualification from science classrooms. The creation and Intelligent Design theories are not science.

The Voice of Faith: Peter Williamson, M.Div., comments:
If the law prohibits us from questioning evolution, how can scientists be encouraged to pursue other truths? Representative Williams is simply taking the first step in exposing Darwinism for what it really is -- a sacred cow of secular science, who very conveniently does not appreciate its pet theory being challenged. When I was an undergraduate in college, I remember being told that the scientific method seeks to reach objective perspective and understanding. Yet it is scientists who most fervently oppose any legislation that might question evolution. I wonder what it is they fear.