Editor,
I am writing in response to Alex Goldsand's letter published in the Daily Lobo on Friday. As a student of the biological sciences, I have spent a considerable amount of time devoted to understanding the arguments of intelligent design. The problem with such arguments is that they do not employ the scientific method. While some arguments do sound like they are based on scientific facts, it is an illusion. Many times, a proponent of intelligent design will use some true science in his or her argument but will augment the argument using data, hypotheses or theories not obtained using the scientific method.
This additional information is almost sneaked into the argument, and those who have not actually studied the biological sciences in great detail would probably not understand why it is incompatible with the rest of the argument. I have read intelligent design
arguments that contain myriad misrepresentations and, often, outright lies. It is for this reason that we liberals denounce intelligent design.
I would also like to point out that the divide between proponents of evolution and intelligent design is not always drawn between conservatives and liberals. These words are often misused in our society. Goldsand seems to be using them to describe a sociopolitical position rather than an economic position, which is a more accurate definition of the terms. These terms should refer only to the fiscal role one believes government should play, not one's position on evolution, abortion or affirmative action. It is interesting to note that President Bush is the most-spending president in the history of the United States - i.e. he is the least conservative president we have ever had.
The last point I would like to make is that the conclusion of Goldsand's letter makes very little sense. He compares religious belief, specifically Judeo-Christian religious belief, with the belief in the existence of patriarchy. The creation of the universe by God and the existence of a patriarchy are entirely unrelated. The concept of patriarchy was not developed by reading about it in a book. We can observe the system of patriarchy quite readily and are not required to ignore evidence to the contrary in order to maintain our observations. Much evidence refutes the concept of creation as it exists in the Bible, but there is no evidence to refute the concept of patriarchy.
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I received a bachelor's degree in feminist and critical theory, and never once in my education was there mention of a global conspiracy on the part of men to strip women of their rights.
Patriarchy has also developed by a process of evolution - in many cases, unconsciously - and is perpetrated by both men and women. Goldsand, if you have taken a class that taught you otherwise, I am very sorry. But please, learn about a subject before you deem it
nonsense.
Jessica Friedman
UNM student
