As I have encountered numerous books and articles attacking
Intelligent Design, one thing that often stands out is that some scientists
seem genuinely offended that their cherished scientific theories should be
attacked. They often respond with all
the passion and even anger that so often accompanies the defense of dogma.
In an entirely different context, Paul N. Anderson discusses
critical scholars in biblical studies who are offended when their critical
theories are challenged. Anderson writes, “If critical scholars are threatened
by critical theories being examined critically, one wonders if the theories or
the scholars deserve the appellation, ‘critical’” (Anderson, Paul N. The
Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus. New York : T&T Clark, 3).
It occurs to me that merely be changing a few words,
Anderson’s statement could just as easily (and accurately) be applied to the
scientists who attack Intelligent Design: “If scientists are threatened
by scientific theories being examined scientifically, one wonders
if the theories or the scholars deserve the appellation, ‘scientific or
scientist.”
