To: All Msg #709, Oct-16-93 21:44:00 Subject: Jump

From:    Brian Moore
To:      All                                    Msg #709, Oct-16-93 21:44:00
Subject: Jumping Jesus on a Pogostick!

Hello All,

     I have been unable to read the message base for the past
month because of problems with the BBS I call from.  I am now
back if anyone cares, which I am sure no one does. (grin)
     In my absense however, I have had a quite a bit of time to
read several books on the conflicts of creation vs. evolution.
One book of mention is Abusing Science by Phillip Kitcher.  There
is one paragraph of some importance which I would like to share
with everyone.

     "The Alliance between the Moral Majority and the
"scientific" Creationists serves both allies well.  Jerry
Falwell's Old Time Gospel Hour offers a forum for broadcasting
Creationist ideas.  On the other hand, Falwell needs conrete
issues around which to build his movement.  Those who are drawn
in are exhorted to carry the cause into their local schools.
Tactical advice is readily available.  Readers of the Creationist
newsletter are encouraged to make lists of teachers who promote
evolutionary theory or argue against Creationism.  And, for a
small fee, the Institute for Creation Research will send out a
pamphlet, written by its director, Henry Morris.  In "Introducing
Creationism in the Public Schools," Morris tells parents and
students how they can help.  He suggests that concerned parents
might "establish a formal community organization, with some
appropriate name (Citizens for Scientific Creationism, Parents
Concerned for Educational Integrity, Civil Rights for
Creationists, Committee for the Improvement of Education, ect.)";
or they could poll the views of their community; students who
believe in Creationism are encouraged to raise questions in
class-but they are urged to be respectful and courteous,
"winesome and tactful, kind and patient"; Morris also adds that
"cleanliness and neatness don't hurt either" (Morris 1975,7-8).
So the foot soldiers of the cause, well-heeled and well-scrubbed,
are set in motion"
(Kitcher, P. 1982, p. 2,  Abusing Science. The MIT press.)


     One thing that I am interested in knowing is if Henry Morris
is still the director of the Institute for Creation Research?  I
ask because most of the books that I've had an opportunity to
read, like Abusing Science and Scientists Confront Creationism are
both from the early 80's.  There are many references to Henry
Morris in both, but from what I see, most of his work was in the
early to mid 70's.  Another question is if the Institute for
Creation Research and the Creation Life Publishers are still in
operation?


                                             Brian

--- FMail 0.94
 * Origin: The Main Frame BBS! Eldred, NY (914)557-3567 (1:272/85)