| 2013 Web Sites of the Month |
|---|
| Web Site of the Month - January 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Dr. Heinz Lycklama’s PowerPoint presentations |
This month’s web site review looks at a set of PowerPoint presentations that should be of interest to you if you want to learn more about the Creation/Evolution controversy. The author of the presentations is Dr. Heinz Lycklama who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics (1965) and a Ph. D. degree in experimental Nuclear Physics (1969) from McMaster University in Canada. Dr. Lycklama “was challenged in his Christian faith by what he was taught in university in the 1960’s … has always maintained an active interest in the Creation v. Evolution controversy.” You will find a link to his BIO on the main page of the web site.
There are sixteen PowerPoint presentations on the site which you can download. Should you not have the PowerPoint program installed on your computer, you can download a free copy of PowerPoint Viewer from the Microsoft web site.
The presentations cover the following topics:
From the above list you can see that many different topics are covered by these presentations. It will take you quite a while to study all of them. Just start with one you find interesting.
In the words of Dr. Lycklama, “Evolution is the greatest myth ever foisted on our society in the name of science. If you wonder what your children are being taught in public school about the origin of the universe and of life, you will want to make yourself familiar with this material.”
| Web Site of the Month - February 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| The Fossil Record: Evolution Evidence or Creation Science? |
This month’s web site review looks at a site that provides a detailed discussion about the fossil record. The site begins with the question “Why is the Fossil Record Important?” In response to this question, the web site author states that “The fossil record is widely taught as the primary evidence for evolution in our educational system, complete with artist ideas that show progress of molecules to man. But does the fossil record actually reveal evolution?”
The web site article continues by asking the question “What are Fossils, and How are Fossils Made?” In the answer you will find a general description of how and where fossils form.
The next question that is asked is “What Does the Fossil Record Actually Reveal?” Here you learn that over 100 billion fossils have been found and among all these billions “not a single clear ‘transitional form’ that Darwin and other evolutionists fully expected to prove evolution was ever found.” [emphasis in the original]
Following this question you will find many quotes from evolutionists under the heading “Professional Evolutionists Say the Fossil Record Does Not Show Evolution”. At the end of the quotes you find the web site author’s observation that “the meaning of above quotes by leading evolutionists is obvious. Our science textbooks that state evolution as fact based on the fossil record have lied to us, and continue to lie to students. Billions of fossils have been found, revealing only distinct, functional creatures and no transitional forms, so [they] provide powerful evidence for creation of distinct species, and no evidence whatsoever for evolution.” [emphasis in the original]
Next you find a discussion under the heading “No Fossil Evidence, No Problem?” Here you learn about the concept called “punctuated equilibrium”.
Many more topics are covered on this web site such as DNA found in fossils, formation of geologic strata, radiometric dating, and scientific evidence for a young earth.
In the conclusion, the web site author asks the reader to “Free Your Mind. Both creation and evolution models have a ‘story’ to interpret fossils and the other evidence we see, but the creation model fits evidence much better.”
| Web Site of the Month - March 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Evolution – The Greatest Deception in Modern History |
This month’s website review looks at a site that “is a compilation of commonly known scientific evidence supporting creation – evidence in the fields of geology, biology, medicine, paleontology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.” The author of the website is a consulting geologist and biologist.
The website is organized into two main sections on the web page, one section is one-third of the page on the left side which provides links to explore. The other two-thirds of the page on the right displays the detailed information about the link that is being explored.
The information to explore on the site is found under the headings About, Explore and Extras. Under About you will find a summary of why the website author has compiled this site. Explore provides most of the detailed information of the site. Here you will find links to the following topics:
Most of these topics have sub headings that guide the website reader in finding information of particular interest.
Under the Extras heading, you will find an extensive list of references, information about the website author and information about ordering a book the website author has written.
As with most websites, there is a lot of material to explore on the site. Just follow topics you find of interest.
Under the About heading, the website author asks “Why do secular scientists continue to adhere to a false evolutionary doctrine? This site provides the reasons, and summarizes much evidence for scientific creation. I ask any skeptical person to give this site an impartial reading before dismissing the scientific creationist viewpoint.”
| Web Site of the Month - April 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Essay from The New Atlantis – A Journal of Technology & Society |
This month’s web site review looks at an essay recommended by a reader of our newsletter. This essay is the “fourth in a set of essays by Stephen L. Talbott dealing with the new understanding of living organisms being urged upon us by the intense ongoing work in molecular biology. The previous installments were ‘Getting Over the Code Delusion’ (Summer 2010), ‘The Unbearable Wholeness of Beings’ (Fall 2010), and ‘What Do Organisms Mean?’ (Winter 2011).” This fourth essay appears in the Fall 2011 issue of The New Atlantis.
At the beginning of the essay, Mr. Talbott points out that biologists say that an organism “as it develops from embryo to adult – as it socializes, eats, plays, fights, heals its wounds, communicates, and reproduces – is the most concertedly purposeful entity we could possibly imagine. It does not merely exist in accord with the laws of physics and chemistry; rather, it is telling the meaningful story of its own life.”
He then addresses the fact that although biologists accept the routine language of biological description, they effectively disown them. It is believed that “meaning and purpose play no role in evolutionary ‘mechanisms’”.
Mr. Talbott then describes the views of Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett. He sums up their views as trying to explain the “appearance of design” or the “illusion of design and planning”.
Under a section of the essay entitled “Chance to the Rescue?” you will find a discussion about random mutations and whether they really occur blindly.
The next topic covered is “Can We Track Fitness?” We often hear evolutionists talk about the survival of the fittest, so I’m sure you will find this discussion interesting.
The whole essay presents arguments that seek to counter the “Illusion of Randomness” as contained in its title. At the end of the essay, you will find an extensive list of Notes which you can explore to learn more about all the topics covered. Also on the web page you will find a link to “More on Stephen L. Talbott”.
| Web Site of the Month - May 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Creation Evolution Debate on Facebook |
This month’s web site review looks at a group site found on the Facebook social media site. Any discussion forum that attempts to deal with the Creation Evolution Debate in a meaningful manner needs ground rules to be established. For this Facebook site, these rules are found in the About link on the main group web page. Here you learn that the “group is intended for debates on Evolution and Creationism, please keep it civil”. Also, it is “NOT a forum for preaching or proselytizing. If you join to do nothing more than copy and paste bible verses then you are subject to removal at an admins discretion.” More details about the proper use of the forum can be found after these basic instructions.
The forum web page is organized by providing 5 main tabs to access various things. These include
In addition, you will also find a tab that provides search capability.
The forum currently has 834 members, four of which are admins. You can list or display members by Name or by Join Date.
Under the Creation Evolution Debate tab you will find the various posts made by forum members. Some posts are very short; others are quite lengthy. Under the posts you will find comments made by various members.
If you prefer just to view photos and not read the many posts found on the forum you can select the Photos tab. By selecting a photo, it expands to a full screen web page showing a larger image of the photo and information about when and by whom it was posted and comments made by forum members.
As with any forum that tries to provide a meaningful discussion of creation and evolution, you will find both good and bad content on this site. There is much to explore on this site and it is interesting just to get a glimpse of how social media such as Facebook is being used to try to foster a civil discussion of the many different topics raised relating to creation and evolution. You will have to decide for yourself if this Facebook group site is achieving its intended purpose.
| Web Site of the Month - June 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Discussion of Origins |
This month’s web site review looks at an article found on the website of examiner.com. “Examiner.com is a content destination powered by over 100,000+ independent contributors. Every week our contributors post thousands of informative and entertaining articles designed to feed your curiosity on the subjects that you crave.”
The article is a report on a debate concerning Creation vs. Evolution held on Saturday May 12, 2012 at the Museum of Creation and Earth History in Santee, CA. The participants in the debate were Bill Morgan for creation and Andrew Bohonak for evolution. You can read a brief bio of the speakers at the beginning of the article.
The most interesting part of the article is the actual description of the debate and the subjects brought up by the speakers. You learn that the “debate was more or less a civilized discussion in which both men were very respectful and professional”. This is unusual because most of the discussions regarding creation and evolution are very heated and not too civil.
As in most debates about creation and evolution, micro-evolution versus macro-evolution was discussed. Both men “agreed that micro-evolution is happening and has happened.” The author of the article provides the following definition of micro-evolution: “Micro-evolution is a change within a given species and population but has no link to the broader teaching/theory of macro-evolution which links everything to one common ancestor”.
In the debate, Bill Morgan chose to defend creation by providing information about human anatomy. He talked about the complexity of the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems of humans.
Mr. Bohonak covered topics such as transitional fossils, common ancestry, and natural selection.
You can read more details about the debate in this article. You can also use this web site as a launching point for accessing more articles covering Creation VS Evolution and Origins of Life.
If you are interested in learning more about the Museum of Creation and Earth History, you will find a link in the article that provides detailed information.
| Web Site of the Month - July 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Be Informed. Make a Difference. |
This month’s web site review looks at an article found on the TrueNews.org website. This site “offers the latest news headlines and valuable insight about important issues not covered by the mainstream media.”
The article being discussed is found on a tab labeled Creation vs Evolution on the header of the site. On the pull down menu of this tab you will also find articles on
The article, Scientific Evidence for Creation, “was written by a scientist, and a science educator, and reviewed by an attorney, to provide a brief summary of the scientific evidence supporting creation.” In the introduction, the author of the article discusses the two scientific models – the creation model and the evolution model of the origin of the universe, of life, and of man. He states that the purpose of the article is to show that, “The creation model is at least as scientific as the evolution model, and is at least as nonreligious as the evolution model.”
The next point that is stressed in the article is that “scientific evidence both for creation and for evolution can and must be taught without any religious doctrine, whether the Bible or the Humanist Manifesto. Creation-science proponents want public schools to teach all the scientific data, censoring none, but do not want any religious doctrine to be brought into science classrooms”.
The article continues by providing definitions of the Creation Model and the Evolution Model. Then a chart is presented that lists seven aspects of the two models. The aspects include
After the chart, each of the above aspects are discussed in more detail and many footnotes are provided to allow the reader to obtain more detailed information.
At the end of the article you will find information about the authors that helped to prepare this summary of scientific evidence for creation.
| Web Site of the Month - August 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Battle Over Beliefs |
This month’s web site review looks at an article found on a site under the headings of “Say NO to Psychiatry!” and “FTR Foundation for Truth in Reality”. After a brief statement describing Creationism and Theory of Evolution in the context of “how everything came to be” the author presents his main premise where he states that “In both cases what is actually involved here, at the most basic level, is beliefs. The proponents of evolution and the Big Bang Theory would each like to think what they say is ‘true’, ‘scientific’ and ‘factual’, but the real bottom line truth is that, when it comes right down to it, they ‘believe’ in it just as much as the religious folks ‘believe’ in theirs. Neither belief corresponds to any perceivable, observable, or verifiable tangible thing or occurrences(s).”
The author points out that he is not arguing for Creationism or Evolution. He believes “both are incorrect, at least from the viewpoint of verifiable events, reason, honest intelligence, and tangible experience.” The author then provides a lengthy discourse and tries to apply REASON to the concepts evolutionists use to describe the creation of the universe, i.e. the Big Bang Theory. Here he stresses that it requires a lot of faith to believe that the “entirety of the universe, appeared out of nothing.”
Interesting material is presented under the titles of
Near the end of the article, the author observes that “'Science’ has functionally replaced ‘religion’ as the object of modern faith. Psychologically, the mechanics are exactly the same. This is not a cute concept or theory, like so many of their notions. This is exactly how the adherent of modern ‘science’ functions. ‘Science’ serves the same purpose ‘religion’ served in past centuries – to give reasons for, explain, and make sense of the world we each find ourselves surrounded by. But sadly, it also demands strict adherence as did past religions and states. It devolves into dogma, rote ideology and strict orthodoxy – or else.”
The web site reader may not agree with all the concepts presented in this article, but I am sure the material is food for thought when trying to understand the nature of the continuing battle over beliefs involving “how everything came to be.”
| Web Site of the Month - September 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Report of a hearing in the European Parliament on the teaching of evolution in European Schools |
This month’s web site review looks at an article, actually a pdf file, which describes the outcome of a hearing that was organized by the author, Maciej Giertych, a non-attached member of the European Parliament. This paper was recommended by a reader of our newsletter.
The paper begins by providing some background as to why Mr. Giertych decided to organize a hearing in the European Parliament on the teaching of evolution in European schools. The hearing took place on October 11, 2006. “Present at the hearing were a fair number of journalists, Members of Parliament and assistants. The session was provided with simultaneous translation into English, French, German and Polish.”
At the session, Mr. Giertych explained that when he was in school he was taught that evolution was a biological fact scientifically proven by paleontology. He felt he needed to object when he learned from the school textbooks of his children that “the emphasis in teaching evolution shifted from paleontology to population genetics.” Three invited speakers, a paleontologist, a sedimentologist and a human physiologist presented their views on evolution.
What makes for interesting reading is what happened as a result of this hearing in the European Parliament. “Next morning in the Polish press I (Mr. Giertych) was accused of propagating religious fundamentalism.” Many false charges were made about Mr. Giertych and his three guest speakers.
The rest of the paper presents Mr. Giertych’s views on evolution. He felt it necessary to defend his beliefs since the media would not accurately report his views. In fact he even states that “I am accustomed to the fact that the media lie”
In the paper, he organizes his discussion of the evolution controversy under the following headings:
His concluding remarks are thought provoking. He says all he really wants is to encourage teaching the truth in schools.
| Web Site of the Month - October 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Controversy over public school textbooks |
This month’s web site review looks at a blog post that discusses the controversy that erupts over public school textbooks almost every year and sometimes throughout a year.
The controversy in this post is centered in Texas. “Texas is so large and its public schools are so populated that textbook publishers do not want to alienate the Texas state agency that approves textbooks. So, indirectly, anyway, Texas has the ability to sway national textbooks’ contents.”
It is interesting to learn that a board actually examines public school textbooks to “make sure they are accurate and fair”. Some board members have complained about “some science textbooks’ treatment of life’s origins.” Some textbooks “strongly imply that all life began with chemical interactions”. This is the source of the controversy.
The author of the blog post states that he wants science textbooks to “stick to science.” For him the “issue is whether science, as science, can state that all life began with chemical interactions.” He believes that some, but not all, public school textbooks are full of biases.
He describes some interesting details about his daughter’s ninth grade public school social studies textbook. He “noticed that in almost every case outside the U.S. religion was a big part of the discussion of cultures.”
Beside the big issue of religion and how it is portrayed in public school textbooks, the author suspects “most critics of public school textbooks are worried about a deeper issue—ethics.” His discussion of this issue is quite interesting.
Another topic addressed in the blog centers around “community values”. The author’s participation in a conference with one hundred community leaders to make up a list of “community values” that should be taught and promoted in schools makes for interesting reading.
As typical for blog posts, at the end of the post you will find many comments. The author also provides replies to questions raised by readers.
| Web Site of the Month - November 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| Article found on the Ezine @rticles Website |
This month’s web site review looks at an article found on EzineArticles.com, which brings real-world experts and ezine publishers together. The site has a searchable database of hundreds of thousands of quality original articles posted by Expert Authors & Writers.
The article discusses the debate between evolution and creation and how “the discoveries over the last few decades have complicated the argument.” By clicking on the author’s name, Justian Philips, you discover that he is a “Teacher for 27 years. Initially believed in evolution but began studying the scientific evidence regarding the subject. Main goal is to inform people of the truth regarding this very controversial subject. None of the facts seem to be taught in our schools and universities.”
The article begins by pointing out that “virtually all of the illustrations and ‘facts’ shown in textbooks today supporting Darwin’s theory have been invalidated decades ago.” This makes one wonder why the books have not been changed.
The point is made that although many serious flaws have been exposed regarding the theory of evolution, they were never exposed to the public. The author points out three problem areas which illustrate the scientific flaws of evolution. The problems are: 1) Many books have too much ‘scientific jargon’ for the average person, 2) Many books combine theology and science, when most people just want scientific facts, 3) Most people don’t know where to look to find the information.
As the author states near the end of his short article, you must be willing to “dig a little beneath the surface to discover the abundant scientific problems with the theory.” One way to do this is to read some of the other articles the author has posted on the EzineArticles.com website. By clicking the author’s name link you will find thirty articles that he has written that cover a wide variety of topics related to problems with the theory of evolution.
If you are interested in obtaining more information regarding EzineArticles.com, you will find many helpful links at the bottom of the web page.
| Web Site of the Month - December 2013 |
| by Lothar Janetzko |
| “Solving the most intriguing and important questions humans face using reason, facts, and an open mind.” |
This month’s web site review looks at a site addressing the question of origins, which “has been popularly reduced to two distinct concepts: creationism and evolution.” The author of the site, Dr. R. Wysong, states that he has no agenda other than truth.
The main page of the web site serves as an introduction to how the author chooses to address the creationism/evolution controversy. He believes that the controversy “can be solved by any person with an open and inquiring mind.” He also believes that “doubt, not faith, educates.” His comments on religions and science make for interesting reading.
On a side bar of the main page of the site you will find links to short articles that cover a variety of topics:
All of these topics are discussed in more detail in the web site author’s book Solving the BIG QUESTIONS As if Thinking Matters. This book contains 736 pages, 60 chapters, approximately 200 graphics, an appendix, scientific references, and an index.
The main page of the web site also serves as a launching point for another web site: AsIfThinkingMatters.Com. On this site you will find information about books the author has written, and links to Multimedia, Mail, Thoughts, Blog and Newsletter.
There is much to explore on this web site. You are challenged to “wipe the slate clean” and use your own reasoning abilities to learn how to meet the creationism vs. evolution challenge. As the author states, “we must commit to the process of truth seeking, not the subservient implementation of given beliefs.”
You may not agree with all the material presented on this site, but I think you will find that the author has honestly followed the stated premise of “No scientific or religious dogma allowed here” on his website.
| Quick links to | |
|---|---|
| Science Against Evolution Home Page |
Back issues of Disclosure (our newsletter) |
| Web Site of the Month |
Topical Index |