Re: [Phys-l] "To put it simply, no Darwin, no Hitler, " said the group's late founder, D. James Kennedy.

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

The idea of the chosen people has various interpretations.  The traditional
Jewish interpretation is that they are chosen and bound to meet certain
expectations and obligations.  In other words they are not superior.
Traditional Christian theology preaches forgiveness and the idea that
although sinful Christians are forgiven.  But again there are obligations to
do good works and honor others.  Traditional Muslim interpretation of jihad
is that it is an interior struggle which is personal, and not necessarily a
fight.

Unfortunately the idea of being a chosen people is often subverted to mean
superior people.  So during the Muslim/ Christian wars each considered the
other to be an infidel.

It is curious that the same people who reject the scientific ideas about
Darwin will practice social & political "Darwinism" with respect to other
people.  Adam Smith is often their guru, and they ignore recent research
that shows that people tend to chose cooperation over competition.  It seems
that cooperation is built into us.  And of course the Japanese do not reject
Darwin while also having an extremely cooperative view of society.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> Isn't it the case that various religious groups consider themselves to
> be "the chosen people"? Slippery slope, indeed.
>
> On Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 7:07 PM, Bernard Cleyet
> <bernardcleyet@redshift.com> wrote:
> >  LEADING CANDIDATE FOR FLORIDA MAYOR THINKS EVOLUTION IS NAZI IDEA
> >  [Not a correct headline.]
> >
> >  ST PETERSBURG TIMES - Darwin's theory of evolution helped fuel the
> >  rise of Hitler and contributed to the school-shooting massacre at
> >  Columbine, a former St. Petersburg City Council member wrote in a
> >  letter urging the Pinellas County School Board to expose students to
> >  alternative theories.