Evolutionary Theory vs. intelligent design

For once, this topic was brought to class in which a bunch of undergraduates (including myself) were tasked to discuss what we would do if we had to deal with the subject in the mainstream media. What surprised me (or maybe it shouldn't) was the level of belief that evolutionary theory was scientific and that it was PROVEN to be true while ID remains the subject of superstition (among some of the future media practitioners in Singapore). Oh and by the way, I think the media should not handle an issue like this (not if they want the simplest explanation - that aims to cover both sides of the debate - within 400 words).

Interestingly though, one schoolmate (whom I suspect is pomo) commented that evolutionary theory is "rational" and "fits with the scientific system"- did I hear correctly?

Another thing: It seems that even academics do not see the sociological consequences of evolutionary theory (read: Hitler and the Third Reich) but are mostly contented to accept what other evolutionary proponents say.

And check out this quote: "Journalists reporting the evolutionary theorists perspective can conveniently rely on the fact that many sources who are "authoritative" by traditional standards - biologists of all kinds, with the credentials traditionally recognized in their professions - will happily state for the record that evolutionary theory is the theoretical foundation of moderm biological science...moreover the evidence they present is traditionally recognized as credible - it is gathered using the scientific method"

This common consensus - that evolution is science - has permeated so much of society that it seems to be the most "rational" explanation. To make things even more challenging, those who hold to a creationist (or intelligent design view) often use "religion" as a reason to support their belief.

So for once, let me play the postmodern skeptic and say "how do you know whether evolution or creation (ID) is true?" The fact is: many who claim to be evolutionarists or creationists simply do not know why they believe what they believe. Most of the time, we don't bother to find out and simply hold on to an opinion because its the most convenient thing to do.

You know what? I think we should take the science (the form of science that accepts wholeheartedly what some scientists say) out of evolution and the religion (by this I mean the institutionalized form that erked Kierkegaard so much) out of creation. As what the prophet Elijah might have said: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If evolution is the truth, follow it; but if creation is the truth, follow it" - but of course, the postmodernists will reject any notions of truth (and still they claim that evolutionary theory is the correct one)... biased indeed...

Natural disasters - reflections

Yet another natural disaster to strike our fragile world, leaving in its trail a body count of over 35,000 people... sometimes numbers like that do not mean anything to people like us living in "safe" Singapore (we seem to take personal peace and affluence for a given grant these days).

Well, first and foremost, a proper Christian view of these disasters would be that - these disasters are "not natural". Romans 8:20 -21 puts it: "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God". The Fall of Man has its implications, not just for ourselves, but for the entire created world.

So where is God in the midst of these all? My answer (to borrow a phrase from Francis Schaeffer): He is There and He is Not Silent. Often, our eyes are so blinded by the phenomenon of suffering and pain that we fail to recognize the essence - and perhaps, the nobility - of human nature that such devastation produce. Yes, more than 3,000 people died on September 11 - but you know what, the firefighters who put their lives on the line to rescue several hundreds - or thousands more - you don't see such actions on Wall Street everyday. Yes, 200,000 people had their lives wiped out in an instant when the tsunami struck, but for once, I see hostile guerilla fighters putting down their guns and picking up their stretchers to tend to many thousands more... the reasons go on...

yes, we have reason to believe that "there is some good in this world, and that it is worth fighting for" (Sam, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) - we may not understand the fury of nature nor comprehend the extent of human sorrow, but yet, these events do have their significance and the value in our broken world... at the very least, they remind us of our humaneness and our duties to fellow human beings...

Blogging in Singapore - Part II

The recent jail sentences of the two bloggers in Singapore got me thinking again - with regards to issues of freedom of expression... Most of all probably would argue for a liberterian form of freedom where the right to express whatever I want to express should be allowed...to me. that notion of freedom is simply nonsensical and perhaps childish... instead the freedom NOT TO DO the things that YOU DO NOT WANT TO would be closer to the definition of what freedom is - for self-control is one of the most important attributes any human being should have.

With regards to whether the sentences passed were too harsh, my answer would be: I suspect it is probably arbitrary - since there is no global precedence yet. But its funny though how the government here chooses to go alone when it comes to enforcing the law but decide to follow the global crowd when it comes to other social issues (i.e. building a casino, bar-top dancing etc...) I reckon that we won't be seeing the end of matters like these...