Is Disagreeing with Stephen Barr and Francis Collins Beyond the Pale?
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Barr’s latest response is the seeming effort to brand honest disagreements with his views (and with the views of Francis Collins) as somehow beyond the pale. Barr writes: I cannot sympathize at all with those ID people (fortunately, a small minority) who target anyone, no matter how traditional his theological stance, who isn’t willing to join their anti-Darwin movement. Why West feels he has to call my integrity into question by talking about “peace at any price” I cannot imagine. But what disturbs me much more is the targeting of Francis Collins. Collins is, without any question, the most effective voice coming from the ranks of scientists in favor of traditional Christian belief that we have seen in a very long time. Barr complains that some ID proponents (presumably meaning me) “target anyone, no matter how traditional his theological stance, who isn’t willing to join their anti-Darwin movement.” The whole tenor of this passage is along the line
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Barr’s latest response is the seeming effort to brand honest disagreements with his views (and with the views of Francis Collins) as somehow beyond the pale. Barr writes: I cannot sympathize at all with those ID people (fortunately, a small minority) who target anyone, no matter how traditional his theological stance, who isn’t willing to join their anti-Darwin movement. Why West feels he has to call my integrity into question by talking about “peace at any price” I cannot imagine. But what disturbs me much more is the targeting of Francis Collins. Collins is, without any question, the most effective voice coming from the ranks of scientists in favor of traditional Christian belief that we have seen in a very long time. Barr complains that some ID proponents (presumably meaning me) “target anyone, no matter how traditional his theological stance, who isn’t willing to join their anti-Darwin movement.” The whole tenor of this passage is along the line
