Marcu 22, 2005

THE CADRE ¢ 13

ON CAMPUS

Dinosaurs and Data: Creation Scientist Addresses UPEI students

Zac Kurylyk — Contributor

UPEI students had the opportunity to examine the creation science controversy more closely when creationist Ragnar Ogborn brought his presentation to campus March 10.

Creation science is the belief that the world was created through intelligent design, not through gradual changes over time, as evolution theory holds. It’s a controversial topic in science, with evolutionists claiming scientific evidence supports their view, and creationists arguing the evidence backs them up.

Ogborn, who once believed in evolution, said it’s important to look at the evidence carefully and not distort the facts that disagree with your theory - otherwise your conclusions are unscientific.

“We all have mental magnifying glasses, which help us see or not see certain things,” he said.

Ogborn, who holds a master’s degree in forest engineering, discussed basic tenets of evolution theory and why he believes them to be unfounded. He tackled evolution’s idea of a common ancestor for all life.

According to evolutionary theory, all life forms descended from one common ancestor. Evolutionists say the similarity of structures in life backs this up - for instance, mammals have similar limbs, they say, because their common ancestor had those characteristics. ;

Ogborn said that the common characteristics could just as easily come from a common designer.

“The same data, the same fact can be used to get a different interpretation,” he said.

“Is the Toyota station wagon

similar to the Toyota pickup truck because of similar ancestry? No, because they don’t reproduce,” said Ogborn. “The same kind of design theme can be compared to a similar designer.”

Ogborn said natural selection (survival of the fittest), commonly used to support evolution, does not support evolutionary theory at all. Natural selection means weaker species die off, not that new ones are born, he said.

An observation that loses information cannot be used as an explanation for gaining information, he pointed out.

Ogborn said natural selection is the same as selective breeding. People say the gradual changes observed over generations in selective breeding is evidence of evolution, but Ogborn refuted that claim.

“Do you create any new genetic information? No!” he said. “The genetic information was always there to start with.”

Ogborn said the common belief that the fossil record supports evolution is also an error, since the dating methods used are riddled with errors.

Transition fossils necessary for evolution are missing as well, said Ogborn. For instance, there’s no fossils of mammals, birds, insects, or dinosaurs developing flight.

“How many times does flight originate? It would have to originate four times,” he said. But, the problem is that fossils don’t show this happening.

“Whenever there’s a jump in complexity we don’t find anything,” said Ogborn. “Everything’s lost, so how do

Continued on page 18

Policy The UPEISU is considering the -The addition that the Chair of following policy changes: Council will post reports from each

-The addition of the safety committee as a Standing committee of council.

-Introduce a nomination notice for Senate and Board of Governors representatives who are finishing their first year of their term.

-Introduce a monthly office hour for each council member.

council

member onto the blogs section of the website following each council meeting.

-The changing of the Student Union Executive course load.

-The student council strikes the policy regarding meeting extensions.

For more information or if you have any questions contact the SU website.

Notice

The UPEI Student Union is proposing a $15 dollar fee increase for the 2005- 2006 academic year to accommodate for increased operational costs of the

organization.

For more information, please visit www.upeisu.com

There will be a information session held Wednesday March 23” at 12:00 in the Student Union Board Room of the WA Murphy Student Centre. Students with concerns are invited to attend.

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