By JERRY COYNE
Added: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:00:00 UTC

Reposted from
http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/aaas-also-engages-in-accommodationism/

Several alert readers have apprised me that the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), another powerful and important scientific organization, has also published accommodationist literature. One of their publications, The Evolution Dialogues: Science, Christianity, and the Quest for Understanding, which can be found here (be sure to download the free study guide and the preview of “Angela’s story.” Here is a summary from one alert reader (thanks!)

The AAAS published The Evolution Dialogues in 2006 (I’m sure the University of Chicago must have a library copy). It is a book of 206 pages, and I was surprised that none of the science blogs at the time discussed it. It is very similar to your WEIT book in that it presents all of the evidence for evolution. But its main purpose is to serve as propaganda for the cause of harmonizing evolution and religion, and its intended readership is the religious citizenry. To make their point, each chapter has what I call a “running soap opera”; a serial story of about 1,500 words about a fictitious biology student named “Angela Rawlett” and her biology advisor “Laurel Dunbar” working together to overcome her fears of science destroying her faith. When you finish the book you have also finished the soap opera (the several parts of Angela’s story), and learn how Angela has reconciled evolution and her religion. It ends with Angela announcing to one of her biology classmates that on their fossil collecting field trip to South Dakota she intends to hold a “sunrise service”.

I have ordered this book and will file a report after I read it. It appears to be about Christianity alone; I don’t know if there are other editions for the little Mohameds and Moishes whose faiths are also challenged

TAGGED: EVOLUTION, RELIGION, SCIENCE

---

Tweet