Semin-arrgghh...

I just survived a two-day seminar. This weekend, NISMED gathered in its augusts halls, a multitude of educators and pseudo-educators coming from all parts of the archipelago... and yes, Kenya. Today saw the finale of the seminar as it also saw the collective heaving of a sigh of relief of a throng of conspicuously asphixiated participants. But today is particularly special because NISMED invited a Taiwanese and a Malaysian to give the plenary lectures. And oh boy... you have to imagine pristine beaches and verdant hills to hold your flares from undergoing spontaneous combustion! What do you make of over three hours of bad English!? You see, it is clearly a misconception equating English proficiency with Science deftness. These grammatically challenged Science educators are really good. Oh yes, the seminar is about misconceptions in Science and Math and how to address them. Not a bad topic for a seminar at all, mind ya...

This morning, I ran into a debate with a professor of De La Salle University who claimed that Evolution's misconceptions arise from the teacher's inability to reconcile Science and Religion in the discourse. I countered that if evolution is to be taught properly, it should be taught using only the accepted priciples espoused by the scientific establishment. And by scientific establishment, I do not mean the likes of Collins and his confused complots, but the likes of Dawkins, Ridley, Sagan, and Hawking... Of course, I am of the belief that Science and Religion have their distinct linguistic situations. It will be difficult to explain for instance the molecular basis for adaptive radiation if your reference is Chapter 1 of the Bible. In the same manner, a preacher will not quote Chapter 1 of Lehninger's Biochemistry book to explain the creation of man on the sixth day. In the first place, the good professor should've asked herself first if she is qualified at all to pontificate on the Scriptures to shed light on the intricacies of adaptation and speciation.

Lastly, I likewise mentioned in that brief academic tussle that I am also of the belief that all these studies in Biology are as equally enlightened as the Scriptures in the Bible. I mean, what do you make of learned conclusions that speak of the truth? If at times, these conclusions claim exactly the opposite of what the Bible claims, I think it is not for Science to reconcile the disparate views. To do so, is to temper the natural predisposition of the brain to inquire about the world and the truths that hide behind its existence... Indeed, to do so is to promote closedmindedness.

It is the role of religion to espouse the notion of a scientific God who, in His omniscience, is able to accept an inquiring mind for what it is... an inquiring mind. Then misconceptions are no more... and the Kenyans are still clueless...