514 scientists sign petition challenging Darwins theories. Oh one more thing, most are Evangelical Christians, and most are not students of Biology.

Of the 128 biologists who signed, few conduct research that would directly address the question of what shaped the history of life.

Of the signers who are evangelical Christians, most defend their doubts on scientific grounds but also say that evolution runs against their religious beliefs.

Several said that their doubts began when they increased their involvement with Christian churches.

Some said they read the Bible literally and doubt not only evolution but also findings of geology and cosmology that show the universe and the earth to be billions of years old.

I am always surprised that there are still intelligent people in the world who prefer to cling to ancient fables rather then to face their own mortality. The idea that Darwinian evolutionary theory does not answer all of the the questions concerning our origins or the origin of the planet is nothing new. It is inded a valid point if one is going to search nature for answers to those unanswered questions. But if you use the fact that Darwin's theories are imperfect as an excuse to supplant them with your own comforting superstition, well then you are an opportunistic fool.

Still the petition brings up an interesting point. Why are there scientists who feel that Creationism is a valid scientific discipline? That truly puzzles me. The paragraphs below do provide me with some solace however.

Discovery officials did point to two scientists, David Berlinski, a philosopher and mathematician and a senior fellow at the institute, and Stanley N. Salthe, a visiting scientist at Binghamton University, State University of New York, who signed but do not hold conservative religious beliefs.

Dr. Salthe, who describes himself as an atheist, said that when he signed the petition he had no idea what the Discovery Institute was. Rather, he said, "I signed it in irritation."

He said evolutionary biologists were unfairly suppressing any competing ideas. "They deserve to be prodded, as it were," Dr. Salthe said. "It was my way of thumbing my nose at them."
Dr. Salthe said he did not find intelligent design to be a compelling theory, either. "From my point of view," he said, "it's a plague on both your houses."