@ WessleWoggle and Final-Fan
The claim has been made that ID has no place in science and is never used in the study of science. This is not true. In fact, all of the following areas of science use evidence of ID as the major or sole means of study. Even though the designer is not a supernatural agent, but intelligent humans, the principles involved in studying these areas of science can be applied to the study of supernatural ID.
Archeology: Is that rock formation natural or due to intelligent design?
Anthropology: Do sharp, pointed rocks occur naturally or are they designed by intelligent beings?
Forensics: Intelligent cause of death or natural circumstances?
SETI: Are those radio signals natural or caused by intelligent beings?
ID is already used in many areas of science. In archeology, we know that stones don't naturally occur in square shapes piled on top of each other. They show signs of intelligent design (although the designer is not supernatural). A recent example is an underwater rock formation off the coast of Cuba. According to the discoverers, the formation consist of smooth, geometrically shaped, granite-like rocks that are laid out in structures resembling pyramids, roads and other structures at more than 2,000 feet in a 7-3/4 mile-square area. How does it exhibit intelligent design? Natural formations of rocks do not have geometric shapes arranged in recognizable structures.
Likewise, rocks do not naturally have pointed ends with patterns of chips along the sides. This pattern is extremely unlikely through natural processes, so we say that it exhibits intelligent design. In the science of forensics, scientists examine patterns of trauma, for example, to determine if it has a natural or intelligent cause. ID is already used in many areas of science.
Probably the best example is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Radio waves can be produced by a variety of natural and "intelligent" processes. Naturally-produced radio waves exhibit patterns of changes in wavelength that are due to random or periodic variation over time. There is no pattern that would indicate any kind of intelligence designed the signal. However, over short periods of time, the pattern could occur by chance with the probability inversely related to the length of time that the signal demonstrates a pattern. Therefore, by examining the signal statistically, scientists can determine if its cause is intelligent or natural. Thus far, intelligent design theory has eliminated (falsified) all extraterrestrial examples of radio waves monitored as being the product of intelligent design.
Characteristics of a successful ID model
A reasonable ID model must possess all of the following characteristics:
The intelligent Designer is identified
The model is detailed
The model can be refined
The model is testable and falsifiable
The model can make predictions
How does the biblical ID model score on the above characteristics? The intelligent Designer is identified as the Creator God of the Bible. The biblical model of creation is detailed in that the major creation events are listed in a temporal sequence. Dozens of creation passages make specific claims about the nature of the world. The model can be refined by putting together all the biblical creation passages into a coherent, detailed model. Many skeptics claim that ID models cannot be tested, but then go on to state that the biblical descriptions of nature are incorrect. You can't have it both ways! A biblically-based ID model is eminently testable and falsifiable. Contrary to the claims of opponents, the biblical model does make predictions. For example, it claims that all men are descended from one man, Noah, whereas women come from up to 4 different blood lines (see Genesis 6). One would predict from this claim that males would have lower genetic variability on their y-chromosomes, compared to the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is passed on exclusively through women. Published scientific studies confirm this biblical prediction, since the last common ancestor dates for the y-chromosome tend to be less than that for mtDNA (see Evolutionary Descent of Mankind Theory- Disproved by Molecular Biology).
Characteristics of Christian supernaturalism
Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism
Characteristic-(Anti-Supernatural) (Supernatural)
Cosmology (AS-eternal multiverse) (single transcendent beginning )
Time infinite (AS-space time foam) (finite duration)
Laws of physics (AS-breakdown at 10-43 sec.) (fixed)
Fine tuning (AS-explained by infinite # universes) (extreme fine tuning designed)
Probability (AS-only likely events will occur creation) (creation involved miracles that could not occur by chance)
(Couldn't make a proper table obviously but first set of brackets is Antisupernatural, second set Super Natural)
The table above gives some of the characteristics of Christian supernaturalism compared to naturalism. Contrary to atheistic assertions, the Christian ID model does not claim that the universe is perfect. The idea that a perfect God would not create a universe less than "perfect" is logically flawed. The biblical model states that the universe is flawed - for the purpose of allowing humans choice.
Because of the nature of the laws of physics, it seems likely that none of the characteristics in the above table can be absolutely known. However, there are a number of predictions that each theory makes, which can be tested by further study of the universe and life on the earth.
What are some specific predictions made by the two models?
Predictions of Naturalism vs. Christian ID
Characteristic (Anti-Supernatural) (Christian ID)
1. Single transcendent beginning (AS-will be refuted) (ID-evidence will increase)
2. Fine tuning ("design" will be shown to be an artifact, due to incomplete knowledge) (ID-more examples of extreme fine tuning will be found, indicating true design)
3. Uniqueness of earth (AS-many rocky planets with oceans and continents will be found) (ID-earth-like planets will be found to be rare ornon-existent)
4. Existence of life in the universe (AS-life will be found to be abundant in our galaxy, since it is simply the properties of chemistry and physics) (ID-extraterrestrial life will be rare or non-existent and advanced life will be found only on earth)
5. Prebiotic chemistry (AS-a naturalistic scenario for the origin of all biochemical pathways and replicative molecules will be found(ID-the universe was designed to support living systems, but their creation required ID by God)
6. Origin of Life (AS-Life emerged late, during ideal environmental conditions. Life began as simple systems (pre-bacteria) Life emerged early under adverse conditions. Life has always been complex
7. New designs in nature (AS-Complex new designs would be rare and develop slowly whereas simple transitions would be common) (ID-No restriction on designs with the possibility that new designs would be created "overnight" )
8. Mass extinction (AS-events Slow recovery) (ID-No restrictions on "recovery" period as new species are created )
Science tells us that:
There is no evidence for more than one universe or more than one creation event.
Examples of fine tuning continue to increase. Some parameters designed to within a part in 10120.
No other rocky planets have been found. Most planets found are large gas giants orbiting very close to their stars.
No other life found. SETI has been completely unsuccessful.
It is impossible to chemically produce many basic molecules required for origin of any living system.
Naturalistic synthesis of either biochemical nor replicative pathways have not been described. In fact, many scientists think that they could not have arisen by any naturalistic means.
Contrary to the expectations of evolutionary theory, the fossil record is replete with complex transitions and new designs whereas simple transitions (intermediates) are rare. Evolutionary theory would expect the opposite to be true and to be reflected in the fossil record.
Evolution predicts slow recovery following extinctions and that those recoveries will be filled by the species surviving the extinction event. However, the fossil record indicates rapid recovery with completely different designs and species appearing within a period of tens of thousands of years or less.
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