Science & evolution

[Michael Vincent]

Dear TAXACOM members:  I wonder how productive this stream of discussion
is.  Those who chose to believe in creationism will probably not be swayed
by any arguments presented, since creationism is, in the final analysis, a
matter of faith, not science.  At the same time, those who chose not to
believe in a Creator will not be swayed by any arguments presented, since
that, too, is a matter of how one chooses to believe.  The existence or
non-existence of God cannot be scientifically tested.

I happen to believe that evolution is a fact, and that God is the
reason.  The two ideas are not mutually exclusive, though acceptance of
evolution from a scientific perspective and acceptance of God from a faith
perspective are, in a sense, antithetical.  I am perfectly content to
accept both, and really see no irresoluble conflict between the two.

People in each "camp" (and those in neither camp or in between) should
learn to respect the beliefs of others and accept the fact that, as long as
people exist, there will be differences of opinion.  Let's publish our
scientific data, or our theological arguments, but let's also respect each
other.

Maybe we should move on...

Respectfully,
M.A. Vincent

Dr. Michael A. Vincent, Curator
W.S. Turrell Herbarium (MU)
Department of Botany
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056 USA

TEL:  513-529-2755
FAX:  513-529-4243
Email:  Vincenma at muohio.edu