Dayton Daily News Bias

 

I have sent the message below to friends to urge them to write & speak up about the current issue being debated, whether Intelligent Design should be taught in Ohio schools. I am hoping to write my own letter to the editor and my representatives this weekend.  Now is a good time to speak up.  I think our representatives and others need to hear the scientific basis for Intelligent Design without reference to religion.  I think we have some good elected officials who either don't understand the facts behind Intelligent Design, or who possibly are too intimidated to take a stand in the face of threatening & oppressive opposition.  The opposition either can't or won't deal with religion, they only want to deal with "facts" as they perceive them. By presenting just the scientific evidence, I believe we are casting down a mighty stronghold that has held their minds captive. The religious questions and answers will inevitably come, for those who are genuinely seeking truth, once the obstacle of false science is removed.

Please pray for me to do a good job.  I wish that all the Arky members would speak up at this time, especially those that have been doing their homework on this topic.

 

I see from the web site that you will be at Victory Baptist for Sunday School tomorrow, and I am tempted to show up! Your presentation might help me with my letter. Also, you might encourage the hearers to speak up (or write) at this time and to pray about this issue.

 

In Christ,

Bob E.

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Friends, tell me what you think... If you agree, pass this on to others. Then get on your knees, pray, to a little research if you need to, and make some noise for the Lord, i.e. call a rep, write a letter to the editor, etc.

In Christ, Bob E.

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I am forwarding a biased article from DDN, with an exhortation for Christians to speak up on this issue. (Also attached is an announcement about an upcoming debate). Jesus said, "To whom much has been given, much will be required". Lot's of misinformation in the DDN article. Wisdom and patience needed - "The Lord's bond-servant must not strive be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (II Timothy 2:24-26).

My natural reaction to opposing views, especially when insult is intended or implied, is not pretty. I need to diligently heed Paul's admonition to Timothy sited above. I invite my brothers in Christ to first pray about this situation. Realize that this is a spiritual battle and there are multitudes of "intelligent" people in spiritual darkness. They have been deceived either willingly or unwittingly. Great patience and gentleness is needed to patiently explain to them the scientific facts, which have been suppressed from so many people. Sure there are some who willfully reject truth because it gives them another excuse to live their lives outside of God's moral law. But let us believe that God can even deliver the most hardened sinner, and free them from the chains that hold them captive.

Once the scientific facts are explained which have been systematically suppressed for so long, it will prove another opportunity for people to repent! "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). If you read this verse in context of chapter 3, especially the verses preceding and following, you will be reminded that a right view of God's past dealings prepares mankind to be ready for His future dealings, which are immanent and inescapable.

There has never been so much abundance of knowledge regarding the scientific validity of intelligent design (and creation) as there has been today. We have a golden opportunity right now to educate multitudes of adults and the on-looking youth who will be directly affected by the laws decided upon. Surely the devil has been behind this lie of evolution, which robs God of His glory, fills youth with hopelessness leading to suicide, and disillusions their moral restraints leading to mass killings and immorality (including STDs and AIDS), once they are "carried away by the error of unprincipled men" (II Peter 17b). Evolution is a brother to atheism, a cornerstone to communism, a destroyer of men's souls and of nations, and an enemy of all freedom. It is a major lie from the pit of hell which the church must firmly resist.

The battle must first be won on our knees in prayer, and then we must "be diligent to present [ourselves] approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). That is, we should study Scripture, but also we should understand the essential scientific evidence supporting intelligent design & creation. Also, I believe the church should recognize, encourage, pray for, and support gifted individuals and ministries that are able to take a stand in this area of truth. But we need to be willing to get involved also ourselves, so that we can explain these things to our neighbors, co-workers, our representatives, board of education appointees, and so we can participate in the free debate ourselves via letters to the editor, etc..

In conclusion, Christians need to speak up about Intelligent Design NOW to the Ohio General Assembly, state and local boards of education, and Ohio state government and governor Taft, and newspapers! Delay can be deadly. Remember to do all for the glory of God, keep your eyes on Christ, reject a judgmental attitude, cultivate a heart of compassion, and do some homework. Just share what you know confidently. If you put it off until you are an expert, then you will be silent forever. Just as every vote counts, every opinion counts also. Let's not let this opportunity go by. As Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing".

Your Brother In Christ,

Bob Eustace

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'Intelligent design' pols lack faith

A Dayton Daily News editorial

Ohio's motto is, "with god, all things are possible." But something's wrong when politicians use tricks to promote their views about God among schoolchildren.

Religious doctrine describing life's origins is being peddled in Columbus as science. Divine creation has been repackaged as "intelligent design," and legislation has been introduced requiring that it be made part of the public-school science curriculum.

There's not much new in any of this. What's new is the lack of forthrightness.

States once made no bones about backing the Bible's story of creation. Police powers reached inside the schoolhouse. Teachers who disputed creationism were subject to criminal prosecution.

When such laws were struck down in the late 1960s - because they were held to be an unconstitutional establishment of religion - fundamentalists took another tack: Instead of banning evolution's teaching, they required that "creation science" be taught alongside it in public schools. This, too, was held unconstitutional.

Now, once again, religious tenets are being presented as science, this time under the banner of "neutrality" and "academic freedom."

But the legislation is not "neutral." It is a Trojan horse that seeks to breach the wall of separation between church and state. "Academic freedom" is not promoted; its replaced with political fiat.

The transparency is evident when the proposed Ohio law is compared with the more candid state law of old.

John Scopes - the teacher prosecuted in the famous "monkey trial" - was charged under the following statute: "It shall be unlawful for any teacher in any . . . public schools of the State . . . to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible."

The proposed Ohio legislation updates this principle with modern double talk. It provides: "It is the intent of the General Assembly . . . to enhance the effectiveness of science education and to promote academic freedom and the neutrality of state government with respect to teachings that touch religious and nonreligious beliefs" by requiring "that whenever explanations regarding the origins of life are presented, appropriate explanation and disclosure shall be provided regarding the historical nature of origins science."

Science teachers who question divine creation may no longer be prosecuted, but they darn well better make sure Scripture is heard in science class. They're supposed to give it this new name, "intelligent design."

Lawmakers would see their will done in other ways, too. They would sit as a super school board on science matters. Companion legislation, House Bill 484, requires that the State Board of Education "not adopt . . . science standards" unless "those standards are approved by both houses of the General Assembly."

This is the politicians micro-managing. They're sending a message that they want a certain curriculum written.

Many, perhaps most, Ohioans believe in a higher, eternal power from whom life's meaning and purpose - indeed, life itself - descends. They hold these beliefs as matters of faith and religion. They recognize a larger discussion of these views as matters of philosophy and theology - and they realize that these subjects come up frequently in classrooms in the context of world religion or literature, for example. But not as verifiable science.

That's the important distinction. Teaching religion as science is different than acknowledging the powerful and important role of religion and its tenets. And, of course, it's taking a presumptuous liberty with captive children.

American public education's great legacy - common schools - is that children of all faiths can come together to learn in places where teachers are free to teach, and where citizenship is promoted but religious doctrine is left at the schoolyard gate.

Advocates of religion as science betray that legacy, needlessly dividing communities and distracting us from pressing obligations to educate our children.

[From the Dayton Daily News: 02.19.2002]

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ORIGINS OF LIFE DEBATE
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2002: 8:30 A.M. -- 11:00 a.m.
OHIO SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, AUDITORIUM
COLUMBUS, OHIO

On March 11, 2002 an historic debate will occur between 2 evolutionists and 2
design advocates -- sponsored by the Ohio State Board of Education. All
panelists are experts in the field of science and the outcome of this debate
will directly impact the draft state science standards [the portion that
addresses the origin and diversity of life]. The bios of all 4 panelists are
summarized below. This will be an important opportunity for students,
legislators, and all citizens to understand the key issues firsthand.

PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR AND ASK HIM/HER TO ATTEND. Since the media
will be covering this event and there will be no way to guarantee balanced
coverage, please be sure to ask your state legislators to come and hear the
information firsthand.

DIRECTIONS:
Ohio School for the Blind
5220 North High St.
Columbus, Ohio

From I-71 [on the north side of
Columbus] exit Morse Rd. [exit #116]. Go
west on
Morse Road until the traffic light at High Street [Tee-Jay's
Restaurant is on the corner.]. Turn right on High Street [heading north].
The entrance to the school is approximately 1/4 mile on the right [sign on a
brick wall]. Enter into the main building. Assistance will be provided to
direct you into the auditorium. The seating capacity is approx. 400 people,
therefore, it may be wise to arrive early.

PANELISTS:
Dr. Jonathan Wells has received two Ph.D.s, one in Molecular and Cell Biology
from the
University of California at Berkeley, and one in religious studies
at
Yale University. He has done extensive work as a research biologist at
the
University of California at Berkeley and has taught biology at California
State University
in Hayward. Dr. Wells has published articles in
Development, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, BioSystems,
The Scientist, and The American Biology Teacher. His most recent book,
"Icons of Evolution: Why much of what we teach about evolution is wrong", and
his work in developmental biology poses a serious challenge to Darwinism.

Dr. Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science
from the
University of Cambridge. Formerly a geophysicist with the Atlantic
Richfield Co., he is currently Associate Professor of Philosophy at
Whitworth
College
. He has published technical articles on philosophy of science and
editorial features in The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and The
Chicago Tribune. He has also appeared on national programs including,
Hardball with Chris Matthews, Washington Conservative Live, FOX News, and FOX
Family Channel. He is currently working on a book formulating a scientific
theory of biological design, which looks specifically at the evidence for
design in the encoded information in DNA.

Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. He
joined the faculty of the departments of Physics and Astronomy
at
Yale University in 1985. In 1993 he was named Chairman of the department
of Physics at
Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Krauss is the author of
over 180 scientific publications and articles on physics and astronomy. He is
the author of "The Fifth Essence: The Search for Dark Matter in the
Universe." His most recent book, "Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life
on Earth…and Beyond," was released in April 2001. Public Television is
preparing to produce a 5-part TV series, hosted by Dr. Krauss, to be based on
this book.

Dr. Kenneth Miller received his Ph.D. from the
University of Colorado. He
has served as an assistant professor at
Harvard University and Brown
University
. His research on cell membrane structure and function has
produced 76 scientific papers and numerous reviews in leading
journals,
including CELL and Scientific American. Dr. Miller is coauthor, with Joseph
S. Levine, of three different high school and college biology textbooks
[which carry a pro-Darwin perspective]. He is also the author of "Finding
Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground between God and
Evolution."


Respectfully submitted,
Melanie Elsey