The ID Inquisition
A recent editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine entitled “Faith Healers and Physicians–Teaching Pseudoscience by Mandate” compared those opposed to evolution with Russian tyrant Joseph Stalin. The Christian Medical Association, an organization of Christian doctors to which I belong, has spoken out against a “scientific inquisistion” aimed at silencing those who oppose the darwinistic explanation of living organisms.
“Instead of an open and systematic consideration of the evidence, a small but powerful scientific elite have launched the equivalent of a “Scientific Inquisition” against any scientist who dares to break ranks to consider the claims of intelligent design. Besides persecuting any scientist who dares consider the evidence for intelligent design, the ruling elite would also excommunicate any scientist who sees God behind that design.”
It is important to recognize the ostracism and persecution scientists face if they choose to identify themselves with intelligent design. Opponents of ID complain of the lack of peer reviewed publications which support ID, but fail to mention that submission of ID material is summarily dismissed as pseudoscience and not given equal consideration with other material. It can be very damaging to one’s career in science to identify himself with ID concepts. I’m glad to see the CMA throw their support behind a fair hearing of intelligent design.