Intelligent Design Revisited

In the previous blog, I indicated that I believe that Intelligent Design (ID) is not science. I do believe it is not, but Alexander George, professor of philosophy at Amherst College (See Christian Science Monitor, December 22, 2005, page 9)says there is a problem with that argument. It requires that we be able to draw a line between science and non-science, and he indicates this is difficult to do. However, if ID is "science," then is not astrology also a science? If one is allowed, would the other also be allowed? Where would this stop? I hope that we can teach the best, modern ideas of science in our classrooms. We owe nothing less to our children. I very sincerely believe that ID is a religious idea. I hope that those who wish to do so, teach it and discuss it well where it should be taught and discussed, in the church. I believe that, as a religious idea, it should not be taught in public schools because of the requirement of the separation of church and state, a fundamental part of our constitution.

There is another important part of this story. A number of parents were unhappy with the Dover school board which mandated the injection of ID in science classes, and that is what led to the court case. Perhaps the court is not the best place to make this sort of decision. I note that the Dover community, though perhaps divided, voted out the members of the school board in the November election, and there is now a new board. So far, I have heard nothing to indicate that the new board is opposed to the ruling of the court.

Finally, I am quite sure that this case, though perhaps important, certainly will not stop the controversy.

Science.....? Or religion.....?

I spent a lot of years as a scientist, and also as a teacher, attempting to explain to others what science is, and what science is about. So it has been with considerable interest that I have followed the events in Pennsylvania. The question is whether the idea of Intelligent Design should be taught in science classes as an alternative to the theory of evolution. First of all, it seems so obvious to me that change and evolution are such a basic part of the world I live in that I wonder why anyone would be in opposition to teaching the theory of evolution. The idea of God and the relation of God to the world is such a complex issue that it is impossible in a short space to say anything meaningful. In fact, people throughout history have been explaining their ideas of God, and debating with others what God is, and in fact, whether God, who is infinite, can be understood by us finite beings. I find that a fascinating enterprise and greatly enjoy discussing the issue, where such discussion belongs.... in the church and in religious discussion. However, in the science class, I hope my children will learn what science really is, and will learn the background of people who have used this technique to probe this world which we are privileged to be a part of. So I was very happy to hear the judge say that the idea of Intelligent Design is not science and therefore should not be taught in science classes. I have no problem with people who wish to consider the idea of Intelligent Design. However, let us keep the discussion where it belongs, in the church, and not in science classes in our public schools.

106th Anniversary

On Sunday, the 18th of December we held our annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, with groups of people in the field to find as many birds as they could. It is a great tradition, the 106th anniversary of the first Count held by Audubon. Over the years, a lot of information has been gathered about birds who spend their winters in various places across the country. It gives us fun and fellowship, to say nothing of the scientific information gathered.

Capital Punishment.....?

Stanley Tookie Williams was executed in California for terrible murders he committed many years back as a member of a gang. Since then, he has worked to educate people, especially young people, about the terrible nature of gangs, and he has written much, and published books. I feel he could have been an important continuing contributor to the education of people about gangs, had his sentence been changed to life in prison. Instead, he is dead. I remember years ago seeing a poster which read: "Why do people kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?" I couldn't answer the question then. I still can't. Perhaps there is no answer. The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, in their vigil, expressed very well the way I feel about this:

For Stanley Tookie Williams & Ourselves

"The hour is late. All the arguments have been made. They have fallen on deaf ears. So lets just take a few moments to breathe together in silence and mindfulness.

This air we are breathing now is the same air that Tookie is breathing in his remaining minutes of life; that Governor Schwarzenegger is breathing; that the guards and reporters and witness outside the death chamber are breathing. This very air was once breathed by Albert Owens, Tsai-Shai Yang, Yen-I Yang, and Yee Chen Lin whose deaths Tookie is being executed for. Tonight their family and friends also breathe with us. All living beings are doing so at this very moment. There is one single fabric of breath and starlight. And there are holes in this fabric for every being who dies by violence. We hold all these beings in our hearts and we grieve for each of them.

We have been out here together at San Quentin for too many such nights. The state of California has many more in mind. I want to wake up from this bad dream of these execution nights. The Buddha, like all the great spiritual teachers Jesus, Mohammed, the Hebrew prophets, Gandhi tells us that violence only begets violence. The logic of cause and effect, karma and its fruit, is inescapable even when you dress it up in the emperors new clothes of retributive justice. Like many around the world, I can't see Tookies execution as justice. I see it as the enactment of a cruel and primitive urge for vengeance, elevated to an ersatz social principle. If this is the spiritual state of 21st Century America, then our true grief should be for ourselves. Let us share another moment of silence together.

And when we have grieved enough, let us organize and join the rest of the civilized world in ending the self-defeating barbarism of capital punishment. Let us enact a policy of kindness and compassion. Let us work for a justice system based on restoration and redemption, not on retribution. Too many have suffered and too many have died. Their deaths, and Tookie's death bring us not a moment of peace."

Soup Kitchen

Thursday is my day to work at the Catholic Outreach Soup Kitchen. I'm not sure why we call it a "Soup Kitchen" since we have made soup only once since I began working there. It is a wonderful group of people who work with me on Thursdays, and we have a really good fellowship. Also, we put out a really good meal for needy people.

Home again

If one didn't have to spend so much time waiting in airports, a trip of such a distance goes surprisingly fast. And here we are, home again, where it is much cooler. But, then, I have always said that I like the seasons, including winter. It is good to be home again, to see the mountains, the trees, the friends we love.... Home again....

Community Party

Sunday was a busy day. We took the kids to the theater to get painted and dressed for the final Cats production. Then we went out to a party for the Colonia (community). Ana works with this Colonia, studying the trees and other vegetation, and helping to preserve the area. It was a wonderful party! I was so pleased that the people were all so friendly, so many of them saying hello (actually, buenos dias) and so friendly and accepting of us. There was good food and drink. While we were eating, we had a good conversation with a family who were patient with my poor Spanish. Then there was a sharing of gifts. They call them "bolos." We brought little gifts. The youngest one in the group begins, giving her/his gift to someone whose name was drawn. The gift is given with a hug (an abrazo). Then that person gives his/her gift to the next person, and so on until the end. It was so much fun! You can see tifany in the picture, to the right, with the little moose that I had given her. After giving the gifts, there was a pinata to be given. All the names were in a hat. But instead of taking the first name drawn, the one who wins is the 10th name drawn. They have a child draw a name. Then everybody shouts fuera! (out!) and the person looks disappointed. Then the second name is drawn. Fuera! They have so much fun! Finally, number 10 comes up and wins the prize.

The Grand Finale!

The final production of Cats was given Sunday afternoon. The picture on the right shows the family with Nefastulo and Etcetera (Ricardo and Adelina). Later in the afternoon, we went to an events center for a party celebrating the work and the fun that these kids had in putting on this musical. I think it was wonderful that these young folks have an opportunity of this kind. It was a group that has worked well together and enjoyed the work together. The picture on the left shows the cake made for the celebration party. The kids had a great celebration. Again, there were "bolos," with the kids giving gifts to each other, with lots of hugs, lots of laughing and lots of enjoying each other.

Christmas is coming...

Yes, it is that time of year. The Minerva Circle up the street is completely made up with Christmas decorations and the malls are sparkling with the lights and the colors of the season. Here we have the modern equivalent of cutting the Christmas tree. The old one has to be put together again! But it is still a festive time, with music and singing and happy kids. I hope our hearts are lifted by the joy of this season!

Recital

When they said we were going to a recital, I thought it would be a fairly small room somewhere. But it was in the middle of the Plaza Mexico, a big mall, with a large crowd. This is a picture of Adelina, getting ready to perform, her teacher beside her.

Abuelo and his Cats

This photo, taken Sunday after the production of Cats, shows Abuelo with two of his favorite Cats, Etcetera and Jenny (aka Adelina and her cousin, Andrea).

It is cool and cloudy this morning. Adelina's dress is laid out for her to wear this afternoon when she goes to her piano recital. Ricardo has a cold and is staying home from school today.

School

It is a cool morning here in Guadalajara and there have been some clouds the past two days. Rain is possible, even though this is the dry season. The photo here is on the street just outside the neighbor's house.

We went to see the kids' school as we were picking them up. It is a really nice school, with quite small classes, and plenty of individual attention, too.

Sunday, the 4th

Here is another shot of the taco stand where we ate breakfast Saturday. The two fellows were preparing everything, and you see people on the far side, waiting to pick up what they ordered. You really get a good inexpensive meal here.

Sunday was a busy day! We had to get Ricardo down to the theater by 9:00 because it is quite a job to get his face painted in preparation for the afternoon production. Adelina and cousin, Andrea, went at 9:00 too, because they are excited and interested and they would have to go soon after to get their faces painted. The kids are doing better each time they present it. They had a big, appreciative audience, and it was a good afternoon.

After the play, we went out to Arturo's (Ana's brother's) house for a big party. He had the grill out, with beef, chorizo, corn, tortillas and onions grilling. And there were all the fixings as well, and plenty to drink, and dessert. A lot of the family was there, so we had a great time eating and visiting. They have a very nice place, situated between two hills. You can climb up on top, and look out over a good portion of the city.

Saturday breakfast

Last evening, we went to the park where Adelina and Ricardo practice Taekwondo for a community-sponsored Christmas party for the kids. A group of men put on a rendition of "A Christmas Carol," as funny a version as I have ever seen. Afterward, the president of the Colonia (the area of the city) talked with me. What a nice guy he is, with a special smile and a greeting for everyone! He wondered where I was from, and I told him we were from Colorado and visiting my son and his family here. We came farther than most people for the party which drew mostly families from nearby. Because Ana and Don take the kids to Taekwondo practice several times a week, they know the families in the area quite well. We talked about the importance of the community coming together like this, the party for kids, but the chance for the parents (and grandparents) to talk together. Everywhere, community is important, and especially in this big city. I think maybe the Mexicans are better at community than we are up north.

Don arrived home last evening from his trip to Vienna. This morning, another busy day began. We drove down the street a ways and stopped off for breakfast at a taco stand. Yes, I had a great breakfast with a cup of caldo, broth with meat and onions, and three tacos. Above is a picture of the stand. The man who runs it worked in the US for a while, and speaks good English. He is an especially friendly guy, too.

After breakfast, we rushed out to the park for some Taekwondo practice. Then we went back to the theater where the kids had some practice for the production of "Cats" tomorrow. After that, it was off to someone's house for a party for the kids in the play. Oh the traffic you have to drive in to get from one place to another in this big city!

En la calle.....

The streets here are lined with trees, many of them in flower. This one is a flamboyant, just up the street.
In the back yard here, there is a lime tree over in the corner, and a papaya tree right in the middle. A year ago last August, hail fell here, and shredded a lot of the papaya leaves, but now it is doing quite well again. The neighbor has a guava tree, and it hangs over the wall into our yard.

A new month!

Time flies, and a new month is upon us! Yesterday the kids brought home French homework. They attend a French school and study Spanish, English and French. They are completely fluent in Spanish and English, and are well on the way in the third language. And I work hard and still can't speak the second language well! The key is to get languages when you are young!
Winter is the dry season here, so it seldom rains. The days are sunny and warm, and the nights are cool. The houses here are built of concrete, and the walls of this house are against the walls of the next house. So the temperature inside stays quite constant. It has been staying between 70 and 72, with no heating or cooling. Summer is the rainy season and the rains keep it cool. The hotter times are in the spring and in the fall. We are at about 5,000 feet altitude, and climate-wise, this is a pleasant place to live.
We expect Don back from Vienna tomorrow evening. Everybody will be excited about that!

Tacos on the street....

Yesterday after watching the Taekwondo practice, we stopped off at one of the taco stands along the street. It is certainly different from anything we do up home! There are several people chopping meat, cooking it, making tortillas, and putting all this together for people who stand in front. There is a wide choice of salsas, onions, cilantro and so on to put on the tacos. I had tacos de lengua (tacos made with the tongue of a cow), something I never get in the US! Then you can stand in front or find a seat and eat what you have bought. It is fun! You should try it!
Ana wanted to buy a gift for a friend so we went to a big mall. There were crowds of people milling around, Christmas decorations were sparkling, and signs proclaimed pre-Christmas sales. There are so many things to buy! Somewhere we saw a sign that described Guadalajara as the "Silicon Valley" of Mexico. It is a busy city with lots of people. Yet there is a fascinating history here, too, as many places in the downtown areas show, and there is much of old Mexico that you can find in out of the way places.

Another day.....

Today is a day like so many we have had here in Guadalajara. Earlier there was an ever thinner moon in the east, and soon it will disappear in the east and reappear in the west. The sky is blue and the sun is bright, and traffic rushes down the street out front. Enedelia is here again to help clean the house. Ana is at work and the kids are at school. A note from Don says that it was snowing in Vienna, quite different from here!
So, it is a day like any other day. But it is not! This is a new day! Everything is a little different. I am always fascinated by this ever-becoming world, by the newness of each day, and by the wonder of our ever-becoming lives. To all of you who read this...I hope you have a wonderful new day. We send our love to each of you.....

Anoter Day in Guadalajara

Last evening we went for supper to Santo Coyote Restaurant which is just up the street from the house.It celebrates Native Americans. There is good food and certainly lots of atmosphere. We were looking out on an open area with palm trees and other trees. There was a display of many paintings of Native American images. We watched the man prepare salsa just the way we wanted, right near our table. If you come to Guadalajara, be sure to try Santo Coyote.
Today, Dan, Michelle and Brianna left for their home below Houston. The rest of us went to see a production of "Cats." There were cousins here for breakfast, and then cousins and friends here for supper. Tomorrow will be school and work again, but Arleta and I will have time to read and get several things done.

Teatro en Guadalajara

This is what the advertisement says for the performances of "Cats." It is a great show and the kids have fun presenting it. Come see it! There are some fantastic jellicle cats!

Con 30 niños en escena
Presentado por: el grupo de teatro: Morada Infantil
Domingos: noviembre 20, 27, diciembre 4, 11 del 2005
A qué horas: a las 13:00 horas (una de la tarde)
Dónde: En el Auditorio “Carlos Ramirez Ladewig”
del edificio de la FEG.
Calle: Carlos Pereira # 100
atrás del edificio de La Normal, en la misma cuadra.
Costo: $40 pesos por persona.

Guadalajara, after Thanksgiving

It is another beautiful day in Guadalajara. It was cool last night which is great for sleeping. This morning the sun was bright, and now there are a few white clouds.
Yesterday afternoon we went with Adelina and Ricardo to watch them do their Tae Kwan Do exercises. It is good exercise for them and teaches them patience and endurance, as well.
After Taekwondo, we came home to a big Thanksgiving dinner. When they were buying food for the dinner, someone said we needed apple pie. It was one of those big fat ones, with sugar on the top. Someone else said that ice cream was a necessity for apple pie. However, after the big dinner, I was the only one with enough room for the pie. Oh, it was good, with ice cream melting over the top of it. Later, Ana came for a piece, with no ice cream. But then the rest of the pie is waiting for us today, as well as all the other leftovers. Thanksgiving..... there is so much to be thankful for. But we remember, too, those whose homes and lives were torn apart by the tsunami, and by the hurricanes, the earthquake and the tornadoes. We are thankful for this beautiful place, for the food we have, but we remember too, those whose lives were lost, and others whose lives were so changed by the tragedies. And now the world moves on. May we each be a creative part of it.
This morning is a busy time, too. Ana was soon off to work, and then Don had to leave to participate in a thesis defense. Thanksgiving is not a holiday here! Later this afternoon, Don will come back, get his suitcase, and go to the airport to begin his trip to a conference in Vienna. Life is so many things, but most of all, it is a continuing adventure.
I wish all the best to all of you who read this, and to all the people of the world, wherever they may be.

More News from Guadalajara

A main reason for coming to Guadalajara was to see our grandchildren. The picture shows them, Ricardo and Adelina. No, they don't always look like this! They are in a community production of "Cats." Pretty cool cats, I think!

News From Guadalajara!

Hi, everyone,
Arleta and I are now in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. We are visiting our son Don and his family, wife, Ana, children Ricardo and Adelina. Our other son Dan and his family, Michelle and Brianna have been in Puerto Vallarta. They will return here today and we will have a Thanksgiving dinner.
It is beautiful weather here, with lots of sun and cool nights. And, of course, it is good to have all the family together!