Nathaniel Jeanson talks faith and evolution with World Magazine

[USincognito]

The pursuit of discovery - WORLD

It’s the same thing with creation science. We can make predictions based on what the Bible says and, when we check it out scientifically, it holds true. At the same time, as we learn more about genetics, we are finding that many of the predictions based on evolution don’t work.

Which ones don’t work? Predictions based on genetic mutations are the driving force of evolution. But time and again, when we measure the rates at which various mutations take place, it contradicts evolutionary expectations.​

 

[Job 33:6]

The pursuit of discovery - WORLD

It’s the same thing with creation science. We can make predictions based on what the Bible says and, when we check it out scientifically, it holds true. At the same time, as we learn more about genetics, we are finding that many of the predictions based on evolution don’t work.

Which ones don’t work? Predictions based on genetic mutations are the driving force of evolution. But time and again, when we measure the rates at which various mutations take place, it contradicts evolutionary expectations.​

If only his words and ideas were provided through research, rather than a brief interview.

Unfortunately brief commentary and vague statements are the closest we will ever get to "creation science".

 

[Bungle_Bear]

The good news is that apparently they're no longer trying to undermine evolution (forgive me for not believing that) but actually trying to determine what stops dogs becoming cats. It will be fascinating to see what conclusion they come to.

 

[essentialsaltes]

You worked hard at Harvard to achieve a Ph.D. so you could pursue a career in medical research. But you ultimately chose a different path. Why? During my time of spiritual searching at Harvard I began to rethink my career. I realized that what I really wanted was to discover the cure for cancer and win the Nobel Prize. In theory that’s a noble goal, but it can easily be contaminated by selfish ambition. That was true in my case, so I started asking myself what I could do differently. After I graduated, I accepted a position with the Institute for Creation Research because it allowed me to use my education but to use it for Bible-based research.

IF YOU CURE CANCER, I PROMISE NOT TO TREAT YOU ANY BETTER OR INFLATE YOUR EGO.

I remember sitting in a calculus class and the professor drew a graph on the wall with a curve going up.

I believe that.

He was trying to demonstrate how our knowledge has increased over time.

I doubt that.

And then he turned and smiled at the class and said, “See, we don’t need God!”

I don't believe that.

 

[Steve Petersen]

The pursuit of discovery - WORLD

It’s the same thing with creation science. We can make predictions based on what the Bible says and, when we check it out scientifically, it holds true. At the same time, as we learn more about genetics, we are finding that many of the predictions based on evolution don’t work.

Which ones don’t work? Predictions based on genetic mutations are the driving force of evolution. But time and again, when we measure the rates at which various mutations take place, it contradicts evolutionary expectations.​

I wonder which predictions based on the Bible he is talking about?

 

[pitabread]

During my time of spiritual searching at Harvard I began to rethink my career. I realized that what I really wanted was to discover the cure for cancer and win the Nobel Prize. In theory that’s a noble goal, but it can easily be contaminated by selfish ambition. That was true in my case, so I started asking myself what I could do differently. After I graduated, I accepted a position with the Institute for Creation Research because it allowed me to use my education but to use it for Bible-based research.

This is just really sad.

 

[Job 33:6]

This is just really sad.

Some would suggest that young earth creationism doesn't impede on scientific or technological progress.

Here is an example of how it does.

A man seeks to cure cancer, then decides that he doesn't want to do it for selfish reasons.

Rather than seeking a cure for cancer for non-selfish reasons or doing it in the name of our Lord, he decides to abandon it all together, and instead chooses to debate over topics such as radioactive dating and the fossil record, which has nothing to do with his PhD.

 

[USincognito]

I wonder which predictions based on the Bible he is talking about?

I wondered the same when I read that.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

I wondered the same when I read that.

I thought it was obvious. He's talking about "those" predictions

 

[tas8831]

You worked hard at Harvard to achieve a Ph.D. so you could pursue a career in medical research. But you ultimately chose a different path. Why? During my time of spiritual searching at Harvard I began to rethink my career. I realized that what I really wanted was to discover the cure for cancer and win the Nobel Prize. In theory that’s a noble goal, but it can easily be contaminated by selfish ambition.

So sure, let people die of cancer - better than me exhibiting pride!

Or maybe it was that he had no prospects... Or maybe his true motivations got out and nobody wanted to contaminate their labs with a guy that would be undermining their work for religious purposes...

After I graduated, I accepted a position with the Institute for Creation Research because it allowed me to use my education but to use it for Bible-based research.

Accepted it. Which means he pursued it. Like So many creationists with doctorates - Sarfati, Wells, etc. - just getting a degree to lend some weight to their religious claims. Sad.

And then he turned and smiled at the class and said, “See, we don’t need God!”

I don't believe that.

Me neither. Sounds like a goofy line from one of those dopey 'God's not dead' movies.

 

[tas8831]

Which ones don’t work? Predictions based on genetic mutations are the driving force of evolution. But time and again, when we measure the rates at which various mutations take place, it contradicts evolutionary expectations.

Hmmm.... Never heard that. Perhaps he is talking about the creationist 'expectations', like how they expect a huge number of mutations to produce the simplest trait because they do not understand how genes influence development...

 

[Job 33:6]

"Me neither. Sounds like a goofy line from one of those dopey 'God's not dead' movies."

I always wonder about this same thing. None of my professors ever suggested anything of the like and never talked about religion during class and almost never talked about it beyond class, never in a negative way. But I hear young earthers say this kind of stuff all the time.

 

[46AND2]

"Me neither. Sounds like a goofy line from one of those dopey 'God's not dead' movies."

I always wonder about this same thing. None of my professors ever suggested anything of the like and never talked about religion during class and almost never talked about it beyond class, never in a negative way. But I hear young earthers say this kind of stuff all the time.

Me too, and I live in one of the most liberal parts of the country.

 

[tas8831]

"Me neither. Sounds like a goofy line from one of those dopey 'God's not dead' movies."

I always wonder about this same thing. None of my professors ever suggested anything of the like and never talked about religion during class and almost never talked about it beyond class, never in a negative way. But I hear young earthers say this kind of stuff all the time.

Like many other things that rightist religionists project about (election fraud, corruption, etc.), I suspect this is just more of that.
I, too, have never experienced, in a class on any subject, an instance in which a professor brought up religion/God for the purpose of denigrating it (or for any other reason).

I was aware of a pro-life, religious physiologist at my undergrad institution that would routinely talk about 'God's amazing creation' in his lectures, and I recall that his office door was plastered from top to bottom with creepy pictures of fetuses and ads for his campus Christian group. I never had him for any classes (thankfully), but I do know that several students complained to the Dean about him, to no avail.

I am also aware of creationist students bragging about their class disruptions - one rather over-the-top example was a fellow named Charlie something, I don't recall his last name. He showed up on a creation discussion forum back in the early 1990s, whining about how he had been kicked out of Columbia U. for being a Christian. As is usually the case, his claim ended up being refuted by his own explanation of the events that lead to his dismissal - despite the fact that he was not in a science program, he took a biology class taught by Ralph Holloway (I had confirmed this story by emailing Ralph) in which he would routinely shout things like "That is a lie!" during class. He even bragged about how he had demanded access to the class email list so he could disseminate 'true creation science' to all the students. So many students complained about this behavior that he was removed from the class. His dismissal from the university was due to several things, his antics in Holloway's class being one of them, but he also referred to a woman working in the financial aid department as a 'worthless jew' or words to that effect. But it was all about him being discriminated against for being a Christian... Unfortunately, this story unfolded on the now defunct 'creationtalk.com' site, but I'm sure this 'Charlie' has spread his fake martyrdom story on other sites.

Sort of a worst-case scenario, but on the flip side, I am totally unaware of any evolutionist engaging in similar antics and bragging about it.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

And then he turned and smiled at the class and said, “See, we don’t need God!”

I don't believe that.

Sounds to me like the calculus lecturer was making a 'soon we'll know everything' joke...