Friday, November 5, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Theologian criticizes Darwinist theory
Biologist supports intelligent design
By Jim O'Malley Special to the Kansan
Microbiologist and theologian Jonathan Wells began a speech on Wednesday night with a confession. "I love controversy." he said.
Have controversy, he said.
And that's what he got at his lecture at 104 Green Hall. Most of the questions from the audience of about 125 expressed disagreement with Wells' criticism of Darwinist theory and his advocacy of intelligent design, the idea that an intelligent agent designed living things, as an alternative to genetic mutation and natural selection.
Critics in that audience said scientists were not as dogmatic as Wells claimed. Others took issue with specific points such as Wells' claim that there was no evidence of favorable mutations above the molecular level. Robert Hagen, adjunct assistant professor of entomology, said that Wells cited many scientific studies to support his argument but that he did so incompletely and selectively.
Wells was invited to speak at the School of Law by the KU Christian Legal Society. Caleb Stegall, president of the society, said his group wanted a speaker who could provide some balance to the discussion of the evolution controversy on campus.
Before the speech, Wells said the Kansas Board of Education showed courage in resisting pressure to make Darwin's theory the dogmatic basis for all biology. But he said the board should not have removed Darwinian evolution from the state's science standards.
they can about Darwinism — including the evidence against it," Wells said.
Adrian Melott, professor of physics and astronomy, said intelligent design was not a scientific theory and was solely a philosophic critique of the naturalistic methodology of
The evolution debate
theory, I would like to see some predictions that can be used to test it.
In his lecture, Wells argued that the evidence supporting Darwinian evolutionary theory was flimsy and in some cases nonexistent.
Wells said that that it was not a fact
that all living things were modified descendants of a common ancestor. He said the evidence showed only that mutation and natural selection worked at the molecular level within species.
He said that Darwinian theory was not a silly idea but not proven either.
Tim Miller, professor of religious studies, said intelligent design should be irrelevant to the evolution/creation debate.
"But once we have design, by implication we have a designer," Miller said. "Intelligent design is a Trojan horse that seeks through seemingly hard scientific analysis to move religion into the public arena in a way that violates our historic separation of church and state."
Wells said dogmatic Darwinism was incompatible with religion and led inevitably to materialism and atheism.
— Edited by Brad Hallier
Black Student Union representatives talk with Miller Scholarship Hall residents about issues that affect African-American students on campus. The students met last night, and similar forums will be held in the future. Photo by Shelby Smith (KANSAS)
BSU members share experiences in forum
By Erinn R. Barcomb
By Erinn R. Barcomi
writer@kansan.com
Kanson staff writer
Representatives from Black Student Union shared African-American experience at the University with scholarship hall residents last night.
About 20 students and faculty gathered at Miller Scholarship Hall to talk about issues African-American students face on campus. Before the forum, the BSU representatives ate dinner with residents of Battenfeld Scholarship Hall.
Bradley Harrah, Battenfeld Scholarship Hall director, said the event would be part of similar
forums to come. He said Battenfeld would invite Hispanic American Leadership Organization to dinner Nov. 18.
"My experience in the schol halls so far has been that, superficially, there is not a lot of diversity represented," Harrah said.
The forum involved a panel of five African-American students who answered questions from scholarship hall students. Most of the questions revolved around the representatives' everyday experiences.
"My experience at the University is that there are a lot of organizations like BSU and the Office of Multicultural Affairs that help you out," said Eve Lane, St. Louis junior. "Minorities rely heavily on
other minorities for support."
The issue of organizations aimed at African-American students was discussed as well.
"I think it's important because of differences in cultures," said Tanisha Jones, Wichita junior.
She said African-American organizations served as a springboard to leadership positions in other organizations.
The residents and the BSU representatives brainstormed ways to bring diversity into the scholarship hall system. Ideas included recruiting potential scholarship hall residents at the Office of Minority Affairs and conducting community service projects between scholarship halls and
African-American sororities and fraternities.
Some representatives said they were reminded on a daily basis that they were different from the majority of KU students.
Joe Carter, South Bend, Ind., Junior, had an initial negative experience at the University when he was called a derogatory name his first day in Lawrence.
Carter said the low number of minorities in classes created added pressure.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm representing my whole race," he said. "When I say things I want them to be right."
— Edited by Chris Hopkins
1403 W 23rd St. • 841-4611
Buy/Sell New & Used • Upgrade
943 Massachusetts - 842-1414
One, Two, Three...
Cha, Cha, Cha
FREE DANCE LESSONS
FRIDAYS 10:00-10:30PM
$5.00 OFF
41 Hour Session
(regularly $40.00)
801 Massachusetts-over Round Corner Drugs
841-2963
by appointment only
Monday-Friday 8am-8pm
Saturday 10-7 Sunday 10-8
cash-check-mastercard-visa
member Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals
expires 12-1-99
expires 12-1-99
$999 Large Chicago pizza filled with premium salami & pepperoni, Italian sausage, beef, fresh onions, and nearly a pound of cheese topped with another layer of dough, sauce and cheese. Garnished with Roma tomatoes and green onions.
Monday Night is Chicago Night!
Tuesday Large Pepperoni
$599 • Large 15" Popperoni Pizza
Wednesday Papa's Calzones
$599 Medium calzone of your choice made with four cheeses, delicious toppings and green onions, served with Mariana sauce.
Stay Close To Your Favorite Sports Teams!
http://www.sportspider.net/
840-0123 2540 Iowa Street
(Since June 1999 and Expanding)
FAR FROM HOME??
News, Injuries, Schedules, Standings and Draft Information!
NFL - Updated 4 Times Daily!! NHL-Updated Twice Daily!! NCAA-Updated Daily!!
Red Lyon Tavern
DAILY DRINK SPECIALS
4pm - 2am Mon. - Sat.
12pm - 12am Sunday
623 Vermont Lawrence
749-5067
944 Mass.
832-8228
faster.
UNLIMITED INTERNET ACCESS
- NO BUSY SIGNALS!
better.
- ADSL
- FREE: e-mail, technical support and web browsing
smarter!
- 56K Analog/64K ISDN
- 20MB web space
NETWORKS PLUS
*Offer valid with one year prepay.
331-2422 www.networksplus.net
*Offer valid with one year money.*
KU1015
CheerioHare
Starting November 1st! Daily Non-stops from O'Hare to London's Heathrow Airport!
Great rates available!
Call Council Travel!
(785)749-3900
622 W. 12th Street
Right next to Yello Sub!
the bottleneck 237 new hamburger
lawrence NE 842-15W
You clean once a month. They clean on Friday nights.
You say pizza. Your roommates say caviar.
You don't iron anything. They iron their underwear.
Can't stand your roommates? Find some new ones.
Receive 20% off your classified ad with a valid KUID. Stop by 119 Stauffer-Flint and place your ad today.
university daily kansan CLASSIFIEDS
you never know what you'll find