Flying spaghetti monster
This all may seem a bit silly, but it brings to light the overall silliness of teaching intelligent design (ID) in high school science classes. The key to understanding why this is (or should be) a non-issue is comprehending the scientific method, the basis of modern science.
If ID is to be taught as science, then all forms of ID (any and every creator) must be given equal time in the classroom. Therefore, the FSM must have its time in the classroom.
Certainly ID puts forth a compelling argument that due to improbability of the universe and the existence of life there must have been some intervention by some guiding force. However, over a year ago in my blog article I got lucky, I gave a simple explanation to understand why something improbable happening is not evidence of intelligent intervention. I summarized with: "Simply because something highly improbable occurs does not require luck or the involvement of an outside influence such as God."
Moreover, in the case of the improbability of the universe being the way it is (leading to the existence of life), keep in mind that we are only able to observe it from that specific improbable outcome. That perspective can easily cause bias.
If I make an experiment where the subject is made unconscious, then allowed to survive based on a purely random and unlikely chance, the subject can only observe the outcome after waking up in the off-chance she survives. So if there's a one-in-a-billion chance the subject will wake up, she might think (upon waking up) that there was some intervention (ID). But as an outside observer we know it's random chance. (This relates to idea of quantum suicide, which I also referenced two weeks ago in my faster than light entry.) Science teaches us to look at the evidence as if we were that outside observer.
In the beginning there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster (excerpts)For a growing band of devoted followers, He is the Supreme Being; creator of the universe and all living things. To the rest of us, the Flying Spaghetti Monster looks like a giant heap of pasta and meatballs topped with eyeballs on stalks. As it turns out, both interpretations are correct.
... Mr Henderson was taking aim at the concept of Intelligent Design, or ID, which provides a supposedly scientific alternative to the Old Testament belief that God created the world in six days and nights, but which dismisses most of the fossil record as false and which relies on the Earth being far younger than geological evidence shows.Supporters say the universe is so complex that it can only be the work of a higher intelligence. They are pushing to have it taught in science lessons as an alternative to Darwin's theory of natural selection. It has the support of many leading conservatives, including Senator Bill Frist, the Senate majority leader, and President Bush, who has said ID has a place in the classroom "so people can understand what the debate is all about".
But while the "theory" relies on the existence of a god, it does not specify which god. It was only when the state of Kansas announced earlier this year that its schools could teach ID in science classes that the Flying Spaghetti Monster made Himself widely known.
In an open letter to the Kansas Board of Education in July, Mr Henderson wrote: "I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.
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He ends his letter with the telling comment: "I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."
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Kansas has long been a battlefield between America's religious right and supporters of Darwin. In 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial saw the state's unsuccessful attempt to stop the teaching of any aspect of evolution, including the theory that man and apes share a common ancestor.More recently, conservatives have taken control of the state's board of education, pushing through a review of science teaching by a majority of six to four votes. The board is expected to endorse the teaching of ID next month, and other states are thinking of following suit.
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"I don't have a problem with religion," [Mr. Henderson] says. "What I have a problem with is religion posing as science. If there is a god and he's intelligent, then I would guess he has a sense of humour."
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Comments
I heard Joel from the Christian Grads do a Friday talk on the Creation story. He started off his presentation by putting forth overwhelming evidence in support of an "Old Earth" (If you believe that the Bible's creation story is literal you would believe in a "New Earth" or an Earth that is only [6000] or so years old). He said to believe in "New Earth, you have to ignore a ton of evidence. He then went on to talk about Intelligent Design. If I remember correctly, he said the basic idea behind Intelligent Design is that there are certain places within evolution where the change in the organism is so complex that many believe that it just couldn't happen by chance. If it wasn't chance, it must have been God who did it. Joel didn't like Intelligent Design because that would make God a "God of the gaps" which is putting God on shaky ground. What if scientists later show that evolution is possible in those complex instances, what happens to God? He disappears when the gaps do!! I liked Joel's presentation. I don't believe in a New Earth, and I don't buy Intelligent Design. I do believe there is a God though. Who said you have to read the Creation story literally?
Posted by: Craig | September 15, 2005 11:26 PM