Celebrate the inaugural public event of the CFI Office of Public Policy!
Tuesday, November 14th, 2006. Multiple events from 11 am to 8 pm
Admission fees for some events. RSVP to: Toni Van Pelt at (202) 546-2330
Full and updated details at http://cfidc.org/events/index.html
National Capital Area Skeptics
Promoting Critical Thinking and Scientific Understanding
20/20 Since 1987
Why Darwin Matters
Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design (event flyer)(book)
Talk & book signing by Michael Shermer, PhD, Skeptics Society Executive Director
Thu, Oct 12, 7 pm Oakton High School 2900 Sutton Rd., Vienna, VA 22181
Discount book sales & signing 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The program will start at 7:30 pm.
Only 30 minutes from Rockville or Bethesda (map, custom directions & travel times)
At this event, Dr. Shermer will be presented the first NCAS Philip J. Klass Award for "outstanding contributions in promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding." FREE & PUBLIC. Co-sponsored with the Alliance for Science.
By Metro:
Oakton HS is 1/2 mile west of Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro on foot, taxi cab or bus 2W (Map).
By Car:
Free NCAS 20th Anniversary That's Nice, Prove It! button to all at this event.
Noon Oct 12 Dr. Shermer at Cato Institute (event web page) FREE & PUBLIC
Dr. Shermer will give another free public book talk and signing for Why Darwin Matters at noon October 12 at the Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. Jonathan Wells, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, Discovery Institute and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, will provide comments in disagreement with Dr. Shermer. Reservations required. To make your reservation for the Cato Institute event by 12:00 noon, Wednesday, October 11, 2006 go to cato.org/events/calendar.html (bottom of page) or call (202) 789-5229 or e-mail events@cato.org . The Cato Institute requests business attire. NCAS is not a sponsor of this Cato Institute event.
Talk & book signing by Michael Shermer, PhD, Skeptics Society Executive Director
Thu, Oct 12, 7 pm Oakton High School 2900 Sutton Rd., Vienna, VA 22181
Discount book sales & signing 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The program will start at 7:30 pm.
Only 30 minutes from Rockville or Bethesda (map, custom directions & travel times)
At this event, Dr. Shermer will be presented the first NCAS Philip J. Klass Award for "outstanding contributions in promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding." FREE & PUBLIC. Co-sponsored with the Alliance for Science.
By Metro:
Oakton HS is 1/2 mile west of Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro on foot, taxi cab or bus 2W (Map).
By Car:
- From I-495, the capital beltway, take I-66 West.
- Exit I-66 at Nutley Street, which is the first set of exits outside the beltway.
- The Nutley Street exit is a long service road with three separate exit points.
- Go to the 3rd / last of these exits. The sign will say, "Metro Parking."
- Take the "Metro Parking" exit to a traffic light at Country Creek Road.
- Turn left onto Country Creek Road. Oakton High School is dead ahead.
- Go to the 4-way stop at Sutton Road.
- Go straight through the stop sign into the Oakton High School parking lot.
- Aerial photo showing route to Oakton High School Southwest parking lot by car.
Free NCAS 20th Anniversary That's Nice, Prove It! button to all at this event.
Noon Oct 12 Dr. Shermer at Cato Institute (event web page) FREE & PUBLIC
Dr. Shermer will give another free public book talk and signing for Why Darwin Matters at noon October 12 at the Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. Jonathan Wells, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, Discovery Institute and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, will provide comments in disagreement with Dr. Shermer. Reservations required. To make your reservation for the Cato Institute event by 12:00 noon, Wednesday, October 11, 2006 go to cato.org/events/calendar.html (bottom of page) or call (202) 789-5229 or e-mail events@cato.org . The Cato Institute requests business attire. NCAS is not a sponsor of this Cato Institute event.
Veritas Vioxx - Ripped From the Headlines
Looking at Junk Science & Junk Justice By Roberta Shaffer
New Time & Location: Sep 9, 2:30 pm at Tysons-Pimmit Library, Falls Church, VA.
Free NCAS 20th Anniversary memorabilia to all who attend this event.
Scientific literacy among judges who rule on the acceptance of expert testimony and the legitimacy of arguments about the nature and scope of science is crucial to ensuring reality-based interpretation of law.
The recent and continuing litigation regarding the prescription drug Vioxx highlights a variety of issues about scientific evidence, and particularly the role of medical research journals in evaluating scientific evidence. The multitude of Vioxx cases may lead to a "new truth" about how we can view and use scientific evidence with the looming concern that "junk science" always presents a real risk of resulting in "junk justice." Event flyer (pdf) - (Directions) - (MAP)
New Time & Location: Sep 9, 2:30 pm at Tysons-Pimmit Library, Falls Church, VA.
Free NCAS 20th Anniversary memorabilia to all who attend this event.
Scientific literacy among judges who rule on the acceptance of expert testimony and the legitimacy of arguments about the nature and scope of science is crucial to ensuring reality-based interpretation of law.
The recent and continuing litigation regarding the prescription drug Vioxx highlights a variety of issues about scientific evidence, and particularly the role of medical research journals in evaluating scientific evidence. The multitude of Vioxx cases may lead to a "new truth" about how we can view and use scientific evidence with the looming concern that "junk science" always presents a real risk of resulting in "junk justice." Event flyer (pdf) - (Directions) - (MAP)
So-called Intelligent Design is Not Science
Adapted from NCAS Skeptical Eye, Volume 18, Number 1, 2006
Ours is a pluralistic society, with wise constitutional protections against government-sponsored establishment of religion -- and for freedom of individual expression of belief.
It is, therefore, an egregiously evil breach of mutual repect, civility and the law for any one religious group (majority or miniority) to try to force its own religious views (mainstream or extreme) on the rest of society by trying to take control of government institutions such as public schools, which serve all Americans of all religious and non-religious beliefs.
Such behavior is just plain selfish.
Court Ruling Against Intelligent Design:
On December 20. 2005 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a ruling against the Dover Area School District policy of teaching so-called Intelligent Design in public school science classes and trying to discredit the scientific validity of evolution theory -- for religious reasons.
The court's Memorandum Opinion establishes legal precedent only in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. But it offers extensive fact finding and legal analysis (far beyond that quoted here) which will significantly inform any litigation elsewhere regarding any attempts to teach so-called Intelligent Design in public science classes.
This post provides two relatively short quotes from the court's full 139-page Memorandum Opinion, which fully and fairly characterize the ruling:
The proper application of both the endorsement and Lemon tests to the facts of this case makes it abundantly clear that the Boards ID Policy violates the Establishment Clause. In making this determination, we have addressed the seminal question of whether ID is science. We have concluded that it is not, and moreover that ID cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents.
Both Defendants and many of the leading proponents of ID make a bedrock assumption which is utterly false. Their presupposition is that evolutionary theory is antithetical to a belief in the existence of a supreme being and to religion in general. Repeatedly in this trial, Plaintiffs scientific experts testified that the theory of evolution represents good science, is overwhelmingly accepted by the scientific community, and that it in no way conflicts with, nor does it deny, the existence of a divine creator.
To be sure, Darwins theory of evolution is imperfect. However, the fact that a scientific theory cannot yet render an explanation on every point should not be used as a pretext to thrust an untestable alternative hypothesis grounded in religion into the science classroom or to misrepresent well-established scientific propositions.
The citizens of the Dover area were poorly served by the members of the Board who voted for the ID Policy. It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie to cover their tracks and disguise the real purpose behind the ID Policy.
With that said, we do not question that many of the leading advocates of ID have bona fide and deeply held beliefs which drive their scholarly endeavors. Nor do we controvert that ID should continue to be studied, debated, and discussed. As stated, our conclusion today is that it is unconstitutional to teach ID as an alternative to evolution in a public school science classroom.
Those who disagree with our holding will likely mark it as the product of an activist judge. If so, they will have erred as this is manifestly not an activist Court. Rather, this case came to us as the result of the activism of an ill-informed faction on a school board, aided by a national public interest law firm eager to find a constitutional test case on ID, who in combination drove the Board to adopt an imprudent and ultimately unconstitutional policy. The breathtaking inanity of the Boards decision is evident when considered against the factual backdrop which has now been fully revealed through this trial. The students, parents, and teachers of the Dover Area School District deserved better than to be dragged into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources.
To preserve the separation of church and state mandated by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Art. I, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, we will enter an order permanently enjoining Defendants from maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District, from requiring teachers to denigrate or disparage the scientific theory of evolution, and from requiring teachers to refer to a religious, alternative theory known as ID. We will also issue a declaratory judgment that Plaintiffs rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been violated by Defendants actions.
Defendants actions in violation of Plaintiffs civil rights as guaranteed to them by the Constitution of the United States and 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 subject Defendants to liability with respect to injunctive and declaratory relief, but also for nominal damages and the reasonable value of Plaintiffs attorneys services and costs incurred in vindicating Plaintiffs constitutional rights.
END QUOTE
Here is the court's order (QUOTE):
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. A declaratory judgment is hereby issued in favor of Plaintiffs pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sections 2201, 2202, and 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 such that Defendants ID Policy violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and Art. I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 65, Defendants are permanently enjoined from maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District.
3. Because Plaintiffs seek nominal damages, Plaintiffs shall file with the Court and serve on Defendants, their claim for damages and a verified statement of any fees and/or costs to which they claim entitlement. Defendants shall have the right to object to any such fees and costs to the extent provided in the applicable statutes and court rules.
END QUOTE
Gary Stone, NCAS President
Ours is a pluralistic society, with wise constitutional protections against government-sponsored establishment of religion -- and for freedom of individual expression of belief.
It is, therefore, an egregiously evil breach of mutual repect, civility and the law for any one religious group (majority or miniority) to try to force its own religious views (mainstream or extreme) on the rest of society by trying to take control of government institutions such as public schools, which serve all Americans of all religious and non-religious beliefs.
Such behavior is just plain selfish.
Court Ruling Against Intelligent Design:
On December 20. 2005 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued a ruling against the Dover Area School District policy of teaching so-called Intelligent Design in public school science classes and trying to discredit the scientific validity of evolution theory -- for religious reasons.
The court's Memorandum Opinion establishes legal precedent only in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. But it offers extensive fact finding and legal analysis (far beyond that quoted here) which will significantly inform any litigation elsewhere regarding any attempts to teach so-called Intelligent Design in public science classes.
This post provides two relatively short quotes from the court's full 139-page Memorandum Opinion, which fully and fairly characterize the ruling:
- The court's summary conclusions as to fact and law.
- The court's order.
The proper application of both the endorsement and Lemon tests to the facts of this case makes it abundantly clear that the Boards ID Policy violates the Establishment Clause. In making this determination, we have addressed the seminal question of whether ID is science. We have concluded that it is not, and moreover that ID cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents.
Both Defendants and many of the leading proponents of ID make a bedrock assumption which is utterly false. Their presupposition is that evolutionary theory is antithetical to a belief in the existence of a supreme being and to religion in general. Repeatedly in this trial, Plaintiffs scientific experts testified that the theory of evolution represents good science, is overwhelmingly accepted by the scientific community, and that it in no way conflicts with, nor does it deny, the existence of a divine creator.
To be sure, Darwins theory of evolution is imperfect. However, the fact that a scientific theory cannot yet render an explanation on every point should not be used as a pretext to thrust an untestable alternative hypothesis grounded in religion into the science classroom or to misrepresent well-established scientific propositions.
The citizens of the Dover area were poorly served by the members of the Board who voted for the ID Policy. It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie to cover their tracks and disguise the real purpose behind the ID Policy.
With that said, we do not question that many of the leading advocates of ID have bona fide and deeply held beliefs which drive their scholarly endeavors. Nor do we controvert that ID should continue to be studied, debated, and discussed. As stated, our conclusion today is that it is unconstitutional to teach ID as an alternative to evolution in a public school science classroom.
Those who disagree with our holding will likely mark it as the product of an activist judge. If so, they will have erred as this is manifestly not an activist Court. Rather, this case came to us as the result of the activism of an ill-informed faction on a school board, aided by a national public interest law firm eager to find a constitutional test case on ID, who in combination drove the Board to adopt an imprudent and ultimately unconstitutional policy. The breathtaking inanity of the Boards decision is evident when considered against the factual backdrop which has now been fully revealed through this trial. The students, parents, and teachers of the Dover Area School District deserved better than to be dragged into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources.
To preserve the separation of church and state mandated by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Art. I, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, we will enter an order permanently enjoining Defendants from maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District, from requiring teachers to denigrate or disparage the scientific theory of evolution, and from requiring teachers to refer to a religious, alternative theory known as ID. We will also issue a declaratory judgment that Plaintiffs rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been violated by Defendants actions.
Defendants actions in violation of Plaintiffs civil rights as guaranteed to them by the Constitution of the United States and 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 subject Defendants to liability with respect to injunctive and declaratory relief, but also for nominal damages and the reasonable value of Plaintiffs attorneys services and costs incurred in vindicating Plaintiffs constitutional rights.
END QUOTE
Here is the court's order (QUOTE):
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. A declaratory judgment is hereby issued in favor of Plaintiffs pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sections 2201, 2202, and 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 such that Defendants ID Policy violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and Art. I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 65, Defendants are permanently enjoined from maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District.
3. Because Plaintiffs seek nominal damages, Plaintiffs shall file with the Court and serve on Defendants, their claim for damages and a verified statement of any fees and/or costs to which they claim entitlement. Defendants shall have the right to object to any such fees and costs to the extent provided in the applicable statutes and court rules.
END QUOTE
Gary Stone, NCAS President
Skeptical Eye, Volume 18-1 2006
- Mysterious Delusions: Witchcraft in Salem, Walter Rowe
- The Amazing Meeting 4, hosted by James Randi's JREF
- Michael Servetus—Death by Fire, Neil Inglis
- Origin of Modern Day Occult, Richard Dengrove
- So-called Intelligent Design is Not Science, Gary Stone
- Prez Sez: NCAS Member Survey Results, Gary Stone
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