Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site cybvax0.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh From: mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: School Prayer Amendment - reply to ?? Message-ID: <160@cybvax0.UUCP> Date: Wed, 3-Oct-84 23:00:09 EDT Article-I.D.: cybvax0.160 Posted: Wed Oct 3 23:00:09 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 6-Oct-84 01:48:53 EDT References: <994@akgua.UUCP> <1392@qubix.UUCP> Organization: Cybermation, Inc., Cambridge, MA Lines: 30 > [Larry Bickford] > > Mr. BenDavid writes > > >> > > >>Christianity from time to time has the doctrine of forced con- > > >>version (Spanish Inquisition, Crusades, Naziism, etc.).... > > Pardon me for exploding a few myths, but Hitler found the basis for his > actions in a rather well-referenced (but little-read) book - > THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES I'm not going to waste space making the obvious argument that the ideas of evolution have to be misused to "support" the ideas of Hitler and others. I'll recommend reading "The Mismeasure of Man" by Stephan J. Gould. The point (as I see it) is that ideas (such as Christianity and evolution) have characteristic patterns of abuse. Larry has accurately pointed out some characteristic abuses of evolutionary ideas, and I would oppose those abuses, such as teaching that evolution supports racism. Especially if the government is attempting to perpetrate those abuses. If the government teaches (in the public schools or elsewhere) that evolution means racism is right, then I will oppose that teaching. I also oppose the government perpetrating typical religious (including Christian) abuses. Such as institutionalizing religion. (School prayer is a fine example of this.) That is why I oppose school prayer, but not teaching of evolution. public schools. -- Mike Huybensz ...mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh