Philadelphia Set to Honor Darwin and Evolution

[flashl]

PHILADELPHIA — In the long-running culture war between evolution and creationism, Philadelphia is firing the latest shot.

Nine academic, scientific and cultural institutions around the city are holding a Year of Evolution, a series of exhibitions, seminars and lectures to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin next February, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, “The Origin of Species.”

...

The intent of the citywide event, said Janet M. Monge, one of the organizers, is to increase public understanding of evolution and science in general at a time when polls show that a majority of Americans believe God created man in his present form and that the number of people who accept the evolutionary model of human origins is declining.

“The strengths and weaknesses of evolution are the strengths and weaknesses of science,” said Dr. Monge, the curator of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. “You don’t get answers.”

She said the Philadelphia events were also intended to encourage people to consider the evolutionary alternative to the biblical account of the origins of man, as represented by the new Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., a $35 million institution that has attracted more than 400,000 visitors since it opened in May 2007.

NY Times

[Jim__]

1. That's good news.

A very public debate favors the truth winning out.

[bbernardini]

2. Side note: I've played a wedding reception at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Pretty cool place.

[uberllama42]

3. "We'll find ways of persuading people that (evolution) is not in conflict with their faith"

I think it very much is in conflict with Christianity, or at least with any literalist formulation. I have no doubt that more people will accept the scientific fact of evolution if they can be convinced that it does not threaten their idea of God, but it bothers me that we are willing to accept that kind of cognitive dissonance.

I will definitely check out as much of that stuff as possible. I dunno how many people in Philly are YEC. Probably the Creation Museum is in Kentucky because that is their home turf. The Delaware Valley is not part of the Bible Belt, thank goodness. Every little helps, I guess. Good on Philadelphians.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. Good. I just watched the NOVA program and I was SO angry

People complaining about "Darwin in your face" UGH.

[sakabatou]

5. O NOES

Not actual biology!

[frogmarch]

6. Wonderful! This should be

an ongoing program, and not just in Philadelphia, but everywhere.

[litlady]

7. Excellent

I remember when I did a graduate research project on this issue and was surprised at how many don't agree with science. It was fascinating looking at all sides, and seeing how the political climate and specific figures assisted the ID cause...