The Life Foundations Nexus
THE PRINCES OF EVOLUTION: THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BIOLOGY TEACHERS
The following position statement is from the PRO EVOLUTION National Association of Biology Teachers. It will be very persuasive…to evolutionists. Following the NABT quote is our critical analysis of their position. Note: those of you who are new to the L. F. Nexus should know that we are ANTI EVOLUTION.
As stated in The American Biology Teacher by the eminent scientist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1973), “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” This often-quoted declaration accurately reflects the central, unifying role of evolution in biology. The theory of evolution provides a framework that explains both the history of life and the ongoing adaptation of organisms to environmental challenges and changes.
While modern biologists constantly study and deliberate the patterns, mechanisms, and pace of evolution, they agree that all living things share common ancestors. The fossil record and the diversity of extant organisms, combined with modern techniques of molecular biology, taxonomy, and geology, provide exhaustive examples of and powerful evidence for current evolutionary theory. Genetic variation, natural selection, speciation, and extinction are well-established components of modern evolutionary theory. Explanations are constantly modified and refined as warranted by new scientific evidence that accumulates over time, which demonstrates the integrity and validity of the field.
Scientists have firmly established evolution as an important natural process. Experimentation, logical analysis, and evidence-based revision are procedures that clearly differentiate and separate science from other ways of knowing. Explanations or ways of knowing that invoke non-naturalistic or supernatural events or beings, whether called “creation science,” “scientific creationism,” “intelligent design theory,” “young earth theory,” or similar designations, are outside the realm of science and not part of a valid science curriculum.
The selection of topics covered in a biology curriculum should accurately reflect the principles of biological science. Teaching biology in an effective and scientifically honest manner requires that evolution be taught in a standards-based instructional framework with effective classroom discussions and laboratory experiences.
You have just read NABT’s position in their own words. Now here is our critical analysis interspersed throughout their statement. Our comments are in CAPITAL LETTERS.
As stated in The American Biology Teacher by the eminent scientist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1973), “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” THIS STATEMENT JUST GOES TO SHOW THE OPERATIONAL CONTEXT OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS. IF THEY WERE TRUE SCIENTISTS THEY WOULD HAVE SAID: “NOTHING IN NATURE MAKES SENSE EXCEPT IN THE LIGHT OF EVOLUTION.” EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ACADEMICS, ABOUT ABSTRACTIONS, NOT ABOUT NATURE, A PART OF REALITY. This often-quoted declaration accurately reflects the central, unifying role of evolution in biology. THIS STATEMENT SIMPLY REINFORCES THE LAST STATEMENT; NOTHING ESSENTIALLY NEW HAS BEEN STATED HERE. The theory of evolution provides a framework that explains both the history of life [LIFE CERTAINLY HAS A HISTORY.] and the ongoing adaptation of organisms [BY “ADAPTATION” THEY MEAN THE NEVER-WITNESSED AND NEVER-LOGICALLY-PROVEN EVENT OF EVOLUTION.] to environmental challenges and changes. THIS IS ANOTHER STATEMENT THAT SIMPLY REINFORCES THE FIRST STATEMENT; AGAIN NOTHING ESSENTIALLY NEW HAS BEEN STATED.
While modern biologists constantly study and deliberate the patterns, mechanisms, and pace of evolution [NOTICE THAT EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS DO NOT STUDY BIOLOGY. THEY DO NOT STUDY NATURE. THEY DO NOT STUDY REALITY. THEY STUDY EVOLUTION, WHICH DOES NOT EXIST ANYWHERE IN REALITY EXCEPT FOR ITS EXISTENCE IN THE MINDS OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS.], they agree that all living things share common ancestors. NOTICE THE PRESUMPTION AND MISLEADING STATEMENT. THEY SAY, IMPLICITLY, THAT ALL BIOLOGISTS AGREE. THIS, OF COURSE, IS NOT TRUE. NOTE THAT THE NABT HAS ONLY SOMEWHAT MORE THAN 9,000 MEMBERS. The fossil record [HERE THEY LEAVE THE WORLD OF EMPIRICAL, SIGHT-AND-SOUND EVIDENCE AND ENTER THE WORLD OF EVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY. EVOLUTIONISTS LOOK AT FOSSILS AND ASCRIBE, NOT INTERPRET, MEANING TO WHAT THEY SEE. IN OVER 10,000 DEBATES CONDUCTED AT THE L. F. NEXUS, WE HAVE PROVEN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS TO BE INCORRECT ON THIS POINT.] and the diversity of extant organisms [EVERYONE KNOWS THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANIMALS AND OTHER ORGANISMS. SO WHAT?], combined with modern techniques of molecular biology [SO WHAT? ANTIEVOLUTIONISTS, CREATIONISTS, UNIFICATIONISTS, ETC., ETC. ALSO USE THE TECHNIQUES OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY.], taxonomy [SO WHAT? ANTIEVOLUTIONISTS, CREATIONISTS, UNIFICATIONISTS, ETC., ETC. ALSO USE THE TECHNIQUES OF TAXONOMY.], and geology [SO WHAT? ANTIEVOLUTIONISTS, CREATIONISTS, UNIFICATIONISTS, ETC., ETC. ALSO USE THE TECHNIQUES OF GEOLOGY.], provide exhaustive examples of and powerful evidence for current evolutionary theory [HERE, OF COURSE, THE EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS ONCE AGAIN LEAVE THE WORLD OF EMPIRICAL, SIGHT-AND-SOUND EVIDENCE AND RESUME THEIR MEDITATION ON EVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY.]. Genetic variation [THIS IS TRUE WHETHER OR NOT EVOLUTION IS TRUE.],
We have inserted our own paragraph break here to make it easier on your eyes.
natural selection [THIS IS TRUE WHETHER OR NOT EVOLUTION IS TRUE. WE ONCE HAD A FRUIT FLY INFESTATION IN OUR BUILDING. THE EXTERMINATORS IN OUR AREA WERE ON STRIKE AND THE HARDWARE STORES WERE OUT OF INSECTICIDE; SO, WE SIMPLY STARTED TO KILL FRUIT FLIES EVERYTIME WE SAW ONE. AFTER A FEW DAYS, WE NOTICED SOMETHING INTERESTING: THE FRUIT FLIES HAD GOTTEN SMALLER…OR SO IT SEEMED. ACTUALLY, THE SMALLER FRUIT FLIES WERE FASTER THAN THE BIGGER ONES; SO, WE HAD BEEN KILLING MORE BIG FRUIT FLIES THAN SMALL FRUIT FLIES. THE FRUIT FLIES HAD NOT GOTTEN SMALLER. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF NATURAL SELECTION. HOWEVER, IT IS ONLY AN APPEARNCE, FOR, YOU SEE, EVOLUTION’S DEFINITION OF NATURAL SELECTION IS “A GENERAL, INVISIBLE, UNIVERSAL FORCE” THAT (IN OUR EXAMPLE) WOULD SWAT THE FRUIT FLIES. THE STAFF AT THE L. F. NEXUS IS NOT A “GENERAL, INVISIBLE, UNIVERSAL FORCE.” WELL, SINCE THIS SUPPOSED FORCE IS INVISIBLE, HOW DO EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS KNOW IT EXISTS? EASY…THEY HAVE FAITH THAT IT EXISTS, FAITH, NOT SCIENCE.]
We have inserted our own paragraph break here to make it easier on your eyes.
speciation [NOW WE START TO GET INTO SOME OF THE TRICKY STUFF, FOR, YOU SEE, SPECIATION, WHICH MEANS “SPECIES FORMATION,” WILL BE TRUE OR FALSE, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DEFINE THE WORD “SPECIES.” NOW, EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS, OF COURSE, HAVE GIVEN THE WORD “SPECIES” AN EVOLUTION-FRIENDLY DEFINTION. THIS, OF COURSE, IS UNSCIENTIFIC. REAL SCIENTISTS USE WORDS THAT ARE OBJECTIVE. MORE IMPORTANT, REAL SCIENTISTS USE WORDS THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE NONSCIENTIFIC AS WELL AS BY THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY. THEIR FAILURE TO DO SO CHEATS THE REST OF SOCIETY OUT OF ANY DISCOVERIES THAT THEY MAKE.], and extinction [DUHHHH. EVEN THE MAN ON THE STREET KNOWS THAT EXTINCTION IS A FACT.] are well-established components of modern evolutionary theory [AHHH…WHAT GRAND ARROGANCE. GENETIC VARIATION IS OWNED BY EVERYONE, INCLUDING ANTIEVOLUTIONISTS. NATURAL SELECTION (OUR SENSE, THE REAL-WORLD SENSE), SPECIATION (USING THE UNIVERSAL SENSE OF THE WORD “SPECIES,” NOT THE MADE-UP SENSE OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS), AND EXTINCTION ARE OWNED BY EVERYONE, INCLUDING ANTIEVOLUTIONISTS.]. Explanations are constantly modified and refined as warranted by new scientific evidence that accumulates over time, which demonstrates the integrity and validity of the field. ACTUALLY, ALL OF THE MODIFICATIONS AND REFINEMENTS ARE FORCED TO FIT THE CONCEPT OF EVOLUTION. IN OTHER WORDS, EVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY SUBORDINATES THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
Scientists have firmly established evolution [AGAIN, WHAT GRAND ARROGANCE!] as an important natural process [NOW, THE TRUTH COMES OUT! ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE “A GENERAL, INVISIBLE, UNIVERSAL FORCE.” WELL, AS IN THE CASE OF NATURAL SELECTION, SINCE THIS SUPPOSED FORCE IS INVISIBLE, HOW DO EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS KNOW IT EXISTS? EASY…THEY HAVE FAITH THAT IT EXISTS, FAITH, NOT SCIENCE.]. Experimentation, logical analysis, and evidence-based revision are procedures that clearly differentiate and separate science from other ways of knowing. FINALLY, A TRUE STATEMENT! Explanations or ways of knowing that invoke non-naturalistic or supernatural events or beings, whether called “creation science,” “scientific creationism,” “intelligent design theory,” “young earth theory,” or similar designations, are outside the realm of science and not part of a valid science curriculum. WE, AT THE L. F. NEXUS, DO NOT TALK ABOUT CREATIONISM. WE DEAL STRICTLY WITH SCIENCE AND SCIENCE ALONE. HOWEVER, WE DO BELIEVE IN THE CREATION ACCOUNT OF THE BIBLE. WE NOTE THAT MANY EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS NO CONFLICT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND THE CREATION ACCOUNT OF THE BIBLE, NOT THAT WE AGREE WITH THEM.
The selection of topics covered in a biology curriculum should accurately reflect the principles of biological science. A TRUE STATEMENT. Teaching biology in an effective and scientifically honest [WE COULD BE MEAN HERE AND SAY THAT EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS DON’T BELIEVE THAT NONSCIENTIFIC HONESTY MATTERS BUT WE WON’T DO THAT.] manner requires that evolution be taught [GIVEN THE FALSE ASSUMPTIONS THAT EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS BUILD ON, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REVEALED IN OUR CRITICAL ANALYSIS, IT IS ONLY LOGICAL THAT THEY WOULD BELIEVE THAT EVOLUTION MUST BE TAUGHT.] in a standards-based instructional framework with effective classroom discussions and laboratory experiences. A STANDARDS-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORK WITH EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS AND LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IS A PART OF THE TEACHING OF ANY SCIENCE-RELATED SUBJECT. THESE THINGS ARE NOT THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS!