Rachel Maddow Show, Religion, Science

Darwin's 200th birthday (Updated)

Posted on: February 13th, 2009 by ecthompson md No Comments

There is so much to say about Charles Darwin and evolution that I'm going to try to say as much as I can when I get back (like the fact that religion and science aren't mutually exclusive). For now, I have a meeting to attend.

Enjoy the video:

Rachel Maddow and her guest point out that Americans have been basically split between believing in evolution and creationism for a long long time. This should come as no surprise to most Americans. Let's just think about this for a second. Most Americans believe that atoms makeup all matter. But almost no one can describe for you how an atom works. How many Americans can describe adequately what a neutron is? A particle that has mass but no charge. How many Americans can describe the orbit of an electron? This is simple high school physics. Yet, I bet that over 70% of Americans would have problems describing the orbit of electron. Then, take it to the next level, pun intended, could Americans describe the phenomenon of all electrons being in discreet orbits around the nucleus but yet cannot exist anywhere between those orbits? What about subatomic particles, how many Americans could describe quarks and leptons and anti-leptons? This is our problem. We, as Americans, our science deficient. Yet, science is all around us. From the electricity that is running my computer to the chemistry that allows sugar to dissolve in my tea, we are a very science deficient society.

The last thing I will say about Darwin and his 200th birthday is as Matt (see his comment) noted, Charles Darwin wanted to be a minister. Therefore, he had problems resolving what he saw with his understanding of religion. Now, for those of you who believe in religion, let me weave a tale for you. One of the tenets of the Judeo-Christian heritage is that God is all-knowing. Therefore, if God created the universe, he created the laws that the universe is run by. We call these laws - science. Therefore, since God is all-knowing, and he set the laws by which our world works, why wouldn't he know what the end product was going to be? Yes, the theory of natural selection, evolution, is about survival of the fittest. It is about the species that is most adapted to his environment, surviving. Although we live in an incredibly complex system, wouldn't God no what the final outcome would be? My answer is yes. Therefore, it is possible to believe in religion and God and also try to understand our world through science.

My two cents. More great stuff on Darwin by Richard Dawkins.

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ecthompson

Point well taken. Thanks.

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TCB

Agree with the sentiments expressed by ECT but I think that he negates his point by linking to that clip. Maddow spends most of the time mocking religion. Your reference to Dawkins is good for anyone wanting the neodarwinian view but he is a rabid atheist who's latest book was the God Delusion."

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matt

Light, entertaining but very disappointing from this generally excellent journalist. To continue calling Darwins great idea ("Natural Selection" as opposed to "Evolution") a "theory" gives undeserved legitimacy to other "theories" (i.e. "Creationism" and its new name "Intelligent Design") and perpetuates the fallacy that true science (with a 3.5+ BILLION year fossil record) and religious dogma are placed on equal footing. That Maddow chose to interview a professor with an obvious bias from Pepperdine (a religious based institution) instead of a true Darwin scholar (Oxford professor and world-renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins) represents a missed opportunity to really inform people about the contributions of this great scientist. Incidentally, Darwin did not withhold advancing his theory for fear of offending his wife; he himself had started out to become a minister (against the wishes of his father and grandfather (both physicians); but after 20yrs he could not reconcile the incontrovertible evidence before him. While amusing, it should be mentioned that "The Church of the Spaghetti Monster" is merely a variation of philosopher Bertrand Russell's brilliant "Celestial Teapot " theory (check it out). At a time when civilization seems poised on the brink of destruction at the hands of religionists, we need people that are willing to use their brains and the powers of reason to solve the worlds problems. Come out from the dark shadows of superstition and mysticism; look at the world in the light of day with eyes open wide. That the number of people who believe the world is only 6000 years old (dinosaurs and man coexisting?!) is increasing is not only appalling, it indicates just how ill-prepared (incapable?) they are to face reality. That these beliefs persist is not merely an embarrassment but indicates a truly dangerous lack in ability to think critically. Please check it out.

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  • Errington C. Thompson, MD
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