Smithsonian

NYT reported Fossils at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History have been used to prove the theory of evolution. Next month the museum will play host to a film intended to undercut evolution.

In what way does it undercut evolution. Intelligent Design is not the same thing as Creationism. Creationism holds that the literal story in Genesis is the absolute truth: God created everything in six days in the sequence outlined in Genesis. Intelligent Design holds that there was a Creator guiding Creation. There is nothing in that which says that He might not have used Evolution as an important part of His Creation. I have deep respect for those who prefer Creationism, but personally I believe in Intelligent Design. I can accept much of the Theory of Evolution; I just believe that God was in charge, and was using Evolution as a part of His Plan for Creation. Intelligent Design is even consistent with the concept of the Big Bang Theory. After all, someone or something had to create the Cosmic Egg that exploded in the Big Bang, and after all, Genesis does say that it all started whe God said Let there be light

The Discovery Institute, a group in Seattle that supports an alternative theory, "intelligent design," is announcing on its Web site that it and the director of the museum "are happy to announce the national premiere and private evening reception" on June 23 for the movie, "The Privileged Planet: The Search for Purpose in the Universe." The film is a documentary based on a 2004 book by Guillermo Gonzalez, an assistant professor of astronomy at Iowa State University, and Jay W. Richards, a vice president of the Discovery Institute, that makes the case for the hand of a creator in the design of Earth and the universe.

News of the Discovery Institute's announcement appeared on a blog maintained by Denyse O'Leary, a proponent of the intelligent design theory, who called it "a stunning development." But a museum spokesman, Randall Kremer, said the event should not be taken as support for the views expressed in the film. "It is incorrect for anyone to infer that we are somehow endorsing the video or the content of the video," he said. The museum, he said, offers its Baird Auditorium to many organizations and corporations in return for contributions - in the case of the Discovery Institute, $16,000.

When the language of the Discovery Institute's Web site was read to him, with its suggestion of support, Mr. Kremer said, "We'll have to look into that." He added, "We're happy to receive this contribution from the Discovery Institute to further our scientific research." The president of the Discovery Institute, Bruce Chapman, said his organization approached the museum through its public relations company and the museum staff asked to see the film. "They said that they liked it very much - and not only would they have the event at the museum, but they said they would co-sponsor it," he recalled. "That was their suggestion. Of course we're delighted."

Juan Non-Volokh blogged The film, The Privileged Planet, argues that "the evidence we can uncover from our Earthly home points to a universe that is designed for life, designed for discovery." Does this mean the Smithsonian is lowering its scientific standards or going soft on intelligent design? Not necessarily, as the NYT story makes clear, the museum agrees to host such events in return for a substantial contribution.

The NYT story also makes clear that the museum staff asked to see the film. "They said that they liked it very much - and not only would they have the event at the museum, but they said they would co-sponsor it,"

According to Discovery president Bruce Chapman, "They certainly didn't say, 'We're really warming up to intelligent design, and therefore we're going to sponsor this.'"

Stirling Newberry blogged For $16,000 dollars the Smithsonian has sold out science. What's next? Films on why Negros are inferior? Films on why flouridated water is robbing our precious bodily fluids? Films on how we really found WMD in Iraq? I'm sure that Mr. Randall Kremer will be happy to rent out the auditorium for those who want a solution to the "Jewish Question" at some point. It is a very sad day when public servants are now shilling for an extremist anti-science and anti-human agenda backed by religious extremists.

You are certainly upset, aren't you? What is anti-science or anti-human by saying that there was an Intelligence guiding things during Creation?

Perhaps Mr. Kremer would be happier working for the Iranian government, where they simply take secular parties off of the ballot. People have burned at the stake for the liberty which the Smithsonian now sells out: the right to be free of an established religion which supports one party in power.

What specific religion do you feel is being established by showing this film? Some sect of Christianity, as opposed to all others? Some sect of Judiasm, as opposed to all others? Some sect of Islam, as opposed to all others?

Why are some people so upset at the idea that a Supreme Being may have been involved in the creation of the universe? The essence of the story told in Genesis is believed not just by the three major monotheistic faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, but most other faiths also believe some Creator or Creators were involved.