Design and the Intelligent Design movement (IDM) will probably come up regularly on this blog, and in fact I am eager to discuss the concept of design with the other bloggers here. But it’s almost impossible to bring up “design” without bringing to mind the IDM, and that’s unfortunate, 
because the IDM is contaminated with some of the most toxic intellectual and cultural ideas that one can find outside of the brand of fundamentalism that Mike brought up a few days ago.
The natural theology of the IDM, and its obvious stealth creationism, are topics for another time. Today I thought I’d point readers to a disturbing outburst by one of the IDM’s leaders, a tirade that is notable for its vicious malice and for its stark explication of the soul of the movement. ID raises interesting (if shopworn) questions about design and information, but its raison d’etre is not design. The IDM is a social and political movement against naturalism (HT: Ted Davis of Messiah College). And Bill Dembski, one of the movement’s most prominent spokespersons, makes it clear that the goal is total war — “culture war” to be exact. Here’s one of the more chilling sections of Dembski’s most recent call to arms:
So here’s the deal, everyone. Theistic evolutionists are implacably opposed to ID… They are happy to jump in bed with Richard Dawkins if it means defeating ID. They are on the wrong side of the culture war. And they need to be defeated.
Those who know anything about the IDM know that culture war is one of its founding principles, but maybe you all didn’t know that Christians like me, who accept and even embrace evolutionary explanations, are among their most reviled foes. Am I on the Enemies List because I criticize ID? (Well, okay, they haven’t actually named me. Yet. Dang.) Nope. What makes “theistic evolutionists” anathema to the culture warriors of the Discovery Institute is made clear in this comment on Dembski’s followup to the Fatwa of 12 June:
I would have preferred peaceful co-existence with the TE’s. My first choice was to agree to disagree—to seek common ground—to dialogue in a spirit of friendliness and mutual respect. But it was they who decided to go on the attack, defending their materialist atheist friends…
Yes, I have “materialist atheist friends,” and I’ve been known to defend them and drink beer with them and even hug them sometimes. And it’s clear that “being in bed with Richard Dawkins” or “defending atheist friends” is far more horrifying to some IDM leaders than is, say, fabricating a fairy tale about “junk DNA.”
Anyway, I’m not currently worrying about mathematicians and aerospace engineers showing up in my driveway with torches, pitchforks and graphing calculators, but if they do, I sure hope Mike and Anastasia will make some room for us in their basements. And in the meantime, I’m praying that Christians will wake up and see the “culture wars” as the insanely self-destructive exercises that they are, and looking for a day when they give a culture war and nobody comes.
Like your comments.
I personally think this whole ID vs evolution and the so-called “culture war” has very little to do with a conflict between science and religion. I think its a conflict within religion.
For too long scientists have had to take up the public defence of reason and evidence. it’s good to see that more Chrsitians are now speaking out. And Dembski reveals his hatred for them is possibly greater than for those atheists he has been scaremongering about.
You can even have the guest room
Seriously, though – I feel your pain. To me, studying the universe around us, from understanding interactions between molecules to the movement of solar systems is all about the glorification of god. I feel the most religious when I am learning about and understanding biology and genetics. Talking about the supernatural doesn’t do it for me, but have me watch something like Planet Earth, and I’ll just cry with wonder. How can half of Americans deny themselves the miracles of the world around us?
If I had a basement, I’d lay out a cot for you. It’s hard to argue with you when you link to an article by a guy who touts an Ann Coulter endorsement.
As I noted on Panda’s Thumb, Dembski has had it in for TEs for years. In 2002 he wrote Design theorists are no friends of theistic evolution. And those were his italics.
(And I sure would like a comment preview option! I’m a crummy typist.)
Interesting perception, Stephen. I read Dembski’s post, too, but didn’t see any sign of “vicious malice.” But then, I’ve been accused of drinking their Kool-aid…
It seems that no matter what side people may be on with regard to this particular culture war, it seems like it’s everyone’s perception that they are on the defensive. If that’s the case, who’s on the offensive? Could this be another hillbilly feud where no one even remembers why they are shooting one another?
I do find it odd that people who claim both a belief in the scientific method and a belief in God can’t find any common ground to sit down and actually try to isolate the issues, and perhaps even work out such an “agreement to disagree.” Theologians have done it (once killing each other became illegal), such as with Zondervan’s “Counterpoints” series. It would seem beneficial to everyone to make that kind of effort.
Perhaps you should invite Dembski out for a latte?
Things may have changed, but Dembski doesn’t want a latte. Dr. Avalos at ISU has offered to debate him but he wasn’t interested. Granted, Avalos is far from a theological evolutionist, but I find Dembski’s unwillingness to debate strange when he is so willing to talk in other venues.
Just because he wouldn’t debate Avalos doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be interested in a dialog with someone else. Since Christianity values truth and science values what I will call practical truth, 2 people who share both ideals should, in a perfect world, be driven together, not apart.
Alas, human nature – whether sin or genetics – has always been a problem.
But, this blog would appear to be a step in the right direction.
I’m sorry Alden, but I have a deep and abiding distrust for William Dembski. His reliance on Ann Coulter for endorsements has left an even worse taste in my mouth than anything he has done.
If you follow the SOP at Uncommon Descent, you can’t help but notice that anything which can be skewed to knock evolution has to be true, and his practice of deleting posts when he realizes he goofed, without fessing up, calls into question his integrity.
It’s hard to buy that religion values truth, because it offers little other than faith through which to verify its proclamations. Science is a process of close approximation and high confidence, and I would agree that it is more practical (gotcha!)
“little other than faith?”
Here, perhaps, is where Steve and Tom could perhaps address how they see both science and Christianity addressing the issue of truth. (Just a suggestion…)
Well, that’s the focus of the blog.
[...] proponent Dembski declares a culture war on “theistic evolutionists”? Plus a defense of theistic evolution and why he can’t join the ID [...]
“Suppose they gave a culture war and nobody came?”
Since it takes two to have a war, the “culture wars” are safe on this blog. I have to smile as IDM crowd raises their sword in defense of their culture. And you come out swinging in defense of your culture. As far as I can see there is not a damn bit of difference between you and this Mr. Dembski. You both speak in over-the-top hyperbole.
“I’m praying that Christians will wake up and see the “culture wars” as the insanely self-destructive exercises that they are, and looking for a day when they give a culture war and nobody comes.”
Now this I find a bit hypocritical. If this is such an “insanely self-critical destructive exercise” why are you participating in it? It seems the two of you have the same goals. Each of you want your view validated by having other agree with them. And, the two of you will continue this ego enhancing exercise because you both gain personal satisfaction from it.
I’ve struggled to resolve this issue to my own satisfaction. I believe that Christ is my Savior and that evolution was how the earth and life on it was created. If others wish to believe in IDM, fine, they have the right to do that. What I don’t have the need to do, which you and Mr. Dembski seem to need to do, is demonize those who disagree with me.
Rich
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo