Erroll Le Vant

April 21, 2008

Ideas Expelled?

Filed under: Movies, opinions, politics — errolllevant @ 9:47 pm
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My first degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching with certifications in biology and physical education. I have an affinity for the field of biology and the incredible progress that has been made in understanding our planet through the sciences. It is amazing to see the advances made in medical and communication technologies in my life time.

It is also amazing at how entrenched the theories of Darwinian evolution have become in the scientific community. There is no doubt that micro evolution takes place within species of animals. But there is very much that denies that macro evolution takes place; that is the big jumps from one kind to another.

Over the weekend I went to see Expelled—The Movie, starring Ben Stein. It is a look at the climate surrounding the scientific community in regard to the question of Intelligent Design. There is a growing number of people, scientists included, that believe the idea of an Intelligence behind the beginnings of life is a viable answer to the questions of the origins of life. But when such ideas are proposed or mentioned in the place of higher learning as worthy of discussion, the scientific community reacts swiftly and summarily to have it removed, along with the ones making the proposal.

I was particularly drawn to the discussions of the advances in the study of cell biology that were presented in film. So many things have been discovered since the time I was in school. I was facsinated to see the things learned about the order and structure with the cell, how the components work in such a precise way. I makes me want to get back in a lab and let someone show me those things first hand. It also solidifies my belief that there is an Intelligence behind the functions. Random accidents cannot produce such complexities!

In the movie, Stein reveals the issue in a sound and sane way, suggesting that in a free society we should be able to present ideas for consideration without being muzzled by those in power who disagree. The movie deserves to be seen. There have been factions trying to keep it out of movie houses, but it is available in a few in our area. I hope many go see it and form their own conclusions.

July 26, 2007

High Schoolers As Emergency Dispatchers

Filed under: politics — errolllevant @ 8:58 pm
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I heard a story on the news a couple days ago that I still have not decided how I feel about it.  Students from the law enforcement magnet high school are being hired by the Police Department to answer emergency phone calls in Houston.  These are not 911 calls, but calls to the number that is listed on the side of police cars in the city.

On the surface it seems to me that high school kids would be unprepared to handle the stress of such a job as dispatching policemen to emergency situations.  The man in charge of the program, however, says that he has had only one minor glitch in the several months that the program has been going on.  He says the kids are better prepared than some of the folks who are older that he hires off the street.

What do you think?

June 16, 2007

One Week Of No Politics

Filed under: politics — errolllevant @ 8:50 pm
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The world of politics has been out of my mind for the past ten days or so, because I have been away at church camp with a bunch of teens from our congregation. I had a good time and did not have hear even one report of the political scene!

What a relief!

May 16, 2007

Marriage Licenses In Texas

Filed under: politics — errolllevant @ 8:46 pm
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The governor is about to receive a bill that is stirring some discussion in the state. The cost of a marriage license is “proposed” to be “wed” to pre-marital counseling. If the couple has gone through an eight hour counseling course on how to be good mates, the license is free. If you reject the counseling, the cost will be $60, twice the current fee!

What do you think?

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