Today is the 197th anniversary of biologist Charles Darwin’s birth, and according to this article, people around the country are planning Darwin birthday celebrations, which could include cake and, weather permitting, some badminton, one of Darwin’s favorite pursuits.
Scientists should also start using the occasion as a teach-in to spread more knowledge about evolutionary theory and dispel the gross distortions and shoddy science perpetrated by the intelligent design folks.
As Richard Leventhal, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, told Associated Press, “Evolution is the model that drives science. It’s time to recognize that.”
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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13 Comments
Yay, Darwin!Can’t wait for another evolution blog war…it’s been a while.
I always wondered where antievolutionists draw the line between micro and macroevolution. They’re uneasy with the idea of man and the ape’s common ancestor, I understand that. But do they deny that algae and land plants are related? What about land plants and ferns? Do they deny that a Venus Flytrap is related to other plants, even though it’s a carnivore? This is all evolution in action, supported by molecular evidence. And algae and plants are in entirely different kingdoms. Where do you draw the line between micro and macro?
Randy,Why stop with cake and badminton when we can bow down and worpship him like a god? After all Darwin is the messiah of modern science, and his theory of evolution is the gospel that all of us ought to be spreading like you claim, right? sheesh.
Tara,You raise some good points/questions. If I were you, I would not expect any thoughtful answers by some folks on this blog.
On a related issue, it seems to me that man is a catagorizing/taxonomic animal, and the reality of nature is more overlapping and less distinct.
Happy Darwin’s Birthday to you!
What arguement do the I.D. people use to counter carbon dating? It’s the work of the devil?
You people give Darwin too much credit, no one holds that he created life, just documented and developed a theory on how it developed. I do feel sorry for those that can’t reconcile their religion with science, but perhaps you are in the wrong faith. Creationism doesn’t define christianity. The Bible is not a scientific text.
If I remember correctly Darwin came AFTER the Monk who studied the genetics of plants and demonstrated that traits were inherited. That served as the basis for the eventual theories of Natural Selection determining what survived in a changing environment and what died off.
Darwin did not create evolution; he simply documented it. He was not the first; nor was he the last.
BH,You are correct. Darwin came AFTER Mendel, the Catholic Gregorian monk.
correction: Gregor Mendel was an Augustinian Monk, sorry. :)
Gregor Mendel sent his work on genetics to Darwin, but there was no evidence that Darwin ever read it, or understood dominate and recessive traits as outlined in Mendel’s experiments. (reference – _The Beak of the Finch_)
Darwin’s natural selection as a term was borrowed from the more common contemporary term “breeder’s selection” which recognized that breeders could modify domestic animal traits through selective breeding.
Happy Darwin’s b-day!
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The theory is so simple to understand.
Make an effort to “get it”; it won’t hurt you and may help you.
Happy Darwin’s birthday!!!
Mukto Mona Celebrates Darwin day
Mukto-Mona Moderation Team
Published on February 13, 2006
Dear All,We would like to announce that our special Darwin Day page to celebrate the awakening of human knowledge about life’s origins on earth has been launched on 12th February. We request you to please read the articles that have been presented if there is anything that you would like to comment on and also invite your views on the page and Darwin Day in general. The link is :http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htmOur sincere thanks are due to the Universities, individuals and organizations who have supported us, especially to the eminent scientists and humanists around the world who have shown solidarity in helping us with this page by offering us material, their views and their messages of support :http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/message_DD120206.htmThis has been a major undertaking for us at Mukto Mona as we struggle to make this humanist festival popular and we wish everyone a Happy Darwin Day.Kindly send your feedback at : mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
With our greetings once again,Mukto Mona Moderation TeamMonday, February 13, 2006
Yes!!! Another excuse for a day off for me! Yipee!
Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on the same day in the same year. I have always thought that Darwin most likely knew who Lincoln was, but I have wondered if Lincoln knew who Darwin was.
Anybody know of any evidence that Lincoln knew about Darwin?