Troubled Waters of Evolution

Customer Reviews:

A sincere, but misguided effort to defend the Bible........2004-07-27

The central points of Morris are that the theory of evolution is inherently evil and anti-Christian, that "evolutionary thinking" has become pervasive throughout modern science and even the larger culture, that today's evolutionary thinking goes back to roots that are over 3000 years old, that evolution is not science but religion, and that the scientific evidence is more consistent with a young earth creationist (YEC) model than the scientific models for biological evolution and the history of the universe as a whole.

While Morris makes a few good points, I found his arguments sadly lacking. He is clearly biased in how he presents and evaluates evidence. In general, any fact that seems plausible under the creation scenario leads to justification for the creation model, in his mind. Evidence for evolution or against YEC is ignored or dismissed as irrelevant or untrustworthy.

One major problem in my view is that Morris lumps biological evolution together with an amorphous concept he terms "evolutionary thinking". He then attacks "evolutionary thinking" as evil and producing bad fruit. Now, I agree with Morris that there is much to criticize and be concerned about in modern society. However, Morris goes way overboard in ascribing a long list of societal ills all to evolutionary thinking. I would suggest that the ills he laments (abortion, divorce, promiscuity, materialistic greed, totalitarianism, racism, etc.) have many and varied causes, including basic weaknesses in human nature, and at least in America, the fact that we are arguably the richest and most powerful nation ever to exist.

For example, he claims that evolution is an inherently racist ideology, and is at least partially responsible for Hitler, Stalin, and other racist and totalitarian regimes. No real evidence is presented for this, only Morris' chain of twisted logic, unjustified assertions, and selective quotes.

I thought it interesting that Morris addresses the so-called "Hamitic curse," which many in the 19th century used as justification for slavery and racism (blacks were supposedly descended from Noah's son Ham who was placed under a curse in Genesis). Morris says that it is not fair to conclude that the Bible is a racist document, just because some people erroneously used it and twisted its intent to support racist views.

But this is EXACTLY what Morris does to the theory of evolution. He mischaracterizes evolution and ascribes to the theory itself (and those who accept it as a fact) the racist views held by some "evolutionists" in the past. He ignores that a large part of American society was openly racist well into this century, and that nearly all of these racists were Christian and used biblical arguments to support their racism. The same would hold true of racists in Australia, where many aboriginals were brutally murdered by white settlers.

With respect to Hitler, I have seen quotes from Mein Kampf in which Hitler is saying that it is his divine mission to oppose Jews and that he is serving God in doing so. It seems one could just as easily make a case that God is a racist as that evolution is a racist ideology. The problem, of course, is not that evolution is inherently racist, but that Morris is so committed to doing anything he can to discredit evolution as an idea that he will reach to almost any lengths to do so.

As does Duane Gish, Morris relies heavily on quotes from evolutionists. No attempt is made to present the overall view of the scientific community that evolution is a fact. Rather, isolated quotes, possibly out of context, are selected to give the impression that scientists are not in agreement about the basic fact that evolution has occurred, that the earth is billions of years old, etc. Following Morris' logic, one could cite a quote like the following (from http://home.entouch.net/dmd/dmd.htm)

[[As a former card carrying ICR member I appreciate your candor and intellectual honesty in your search for truth and rejection of YEC pseudo-science. I just can't believe I used to hold such nonsense. It was true a deliverance to have escaped such warped thinking. The hold YEC doctrines had on me was almost cult like.]] B. T. April 20, 1999

and then be justified on the basis of the quote that YEC is hogwash. It is the technique of selective quoting that is hogwash, especially when there is very little else to the argument.

Another example of Morris' poor logic is his argument against theistic or "day-age" creationism. Morris dismisses this as follows:

". . . the most serious fallacy in the day-age theory is theological. It charges God with the direct responsibility for five billion years of history of purposeless variation, accidental changes, evolutionary blind alleys . . ., a cruel struggle for existence . . disorder and decay, and, above all, with death.''

He goes on to say that God pronounced his creation "very good" and claims that the above description is incompatible with being very good. It is worth noting that God did not declare that his creation was perfect. More to the point, Morris' problem here is that he seems to think he knows better than anyone else what God's thoughts and plans might be. He also forgets that the Bible is full of events and actions that could be considered cruel. Could we not say God was cruel by allowing the extermination of all the first-born of Bethlehem by Herod? Could we not say God was cruel by closing Sarah's womb for decades, allowing her to live in great sorrow until the promise of Isaac was made? Perhaps Morris should reread the book of Job.

Sincere Christians can disagree about how God created, or why he created in the way he did. I think Morris would agree that we are only human beings, and we will never, in this life, be able to answer all the "why questions" we have of God. As a Christian, I do not question Morris' sincerity in fighting for the faith. I do, however, think the assumptions he makes in this book are highly questionable, and that the general level of logic and argument is poor.

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THE TROUBLED WATERS OF EVOLUTION
Henry M. Morris
Manufacturer: CLP Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JJTE2W

Book Description

An account of the author's discovery of prehistoric man-made ground patterns in the Glastonbury area and their zodiacal significance. In recent years detailed archaeological study has shown that in parts of the world prehistoric man had a far deeper understanding of astronomy than traditional historians were willing to accept. Glastonbury has always been at the heart of legends of chivalry and sanctity dating back for beyond written records, and has long excited the interest of scholars and seers. Yet it was not until the advent of aerial photography that its most dramatic archaeological secrets were revealed. From studying these photographs and comparing them with detailed maps and the evidence of myth, Katherine Maltwood investigates these exciting discoveries and their meanings. In this book, she reveals her discovery of a vast and complex pattern of figures in the contours and landmarks of the area. They form, in fact, a huge land chart of the Zodiac.

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About Glastonbury
Polly Lloyd
Manufacturer: Bossiney Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1899383212

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Glastonbury (History & Guide Series)
R.W. Dunning
Manufacturer: Sutton Publishing Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0750904216

GLASTONBURY TOR A GUIDE TO THE HISTORY AND LEGENDS

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GLASTONBURY TOR A GUIDE TO THE HISTORY AND LEGENDS
MANN
Manufacturer: TRISKELE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S37R6E

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Glastonbury Tor A Guide to the History and Legends
Nicholas R Mann
Manufacturer: Triskele Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet
ASIN: B000NHSNU4

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Glastonbury Tor: A Guide to the History and Legends

Manufacturer: Triskele Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0951068210

Product Description

Contents include: geography, history, the tower, the Tor Labyrinth, myth & legend, the water under the Tor, the present day, the terraces, bibliography. Loaded with many maps, photos, diagrams, drawings.

A Guide to Glastonbury and its Abbey. A Short History of the Abbey Ruins and other Notable Buildings; together with Ground Plan

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A Guide to Glastonbury and its Abbey. A Short History of the Abbey Ruins and other Notable Buildings; together with Ground Plan
Glastonbury Abbey
Manufacturer: Printed by T.O. Elworthy & Sons for the Abbey Bookstall, Glastonbury, no date, around 1965
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MSAA4Q

A guide to Glastonbury's Temple of the Stars: Their giant effigies described from air views, maps, and from "The high history of the Holy Grail"

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A guide to Glastonbury's Temple of the Stars: Their giant effigies described from air views, maps, and from "The high history of the Holy Grail"
K. E Maltwood
Manufacturer: J. Clarke
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Medieval Art and Architecture at Wells and Glastonbury (Guide to Housing Training) (Guide to Housing Training)

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Medieval Art and Architecture at Wells and Glastonbury (Guide to Housing Training) (Guide to Housing Training)

Manufacturer: British Archaeological Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0907307027

The Ultimate Guide to Tractors (Our Ultimate Encyclopedias)

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A tractor bargain.

The Ultimate Guide to Tractors (Our Ultimate Encyclopedias)
Jim Glastonbury
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785816879

Customer Reviews:

A tractor bargain........2003-04-06

Look through the five hundred photos in this book and be amazed at how such a simple vehicle has developed over the last hundred years. Early gasoline tractors were cumbersome and heavy, the makers assumed that they would replace the cumbersome and heavy steam tractors, they should have done some market research (probably unheard of at the turn of the last century) because farmers wanted small vehicles and it took until 1912 before they got what they wanted. The machines slowly evolved to suit agricultural needs, getting more and more powerful (and once again heavier) until today when the agri business uses huge diesel units with twelve tires (to spread the weight) strangely it was not until the 70s that the makers thought the driver might like a cab to protect him from the elements.

This paperback (at amazing value for the price) covers the history of the American tractor with excellent color pictures of the various makes. The photos are mostly three-quarter or side views of the complete unit, with many close-ups of a logo or engine, they all have technically detailed captions. I thought the quality of the photos was very impressive which was the main reason I bought the book. The older models are covered by contemporary photos rather than illustrations from period ads, these machines have all been carefully restored to 'like new' by collectors.

Between the pages showing historical development there are plenty of spreads called 'Classic Profile' where famous models are covered in more photographic and spec detail. My favorite is the Raymond Lowey designed 1947 Farmall H from International Harvester. Was it the world's first streamlined tractor? It must have got something right because IH shifted 390,317 units at $962 each. If you want some good historical visual reference to tractors get this well designed and printed paperback, at a bargain price too.

Book Description

Life is both sweet and cruel to strong-willed young Shabanu, whose home is the windswept Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. The second daughter in a family with no sons, she’s been allowed freedoms forbidden to most Muslim girls. But when a tragic encounter with a wealthy and powerful landowner ruins the marriage plans of her older sister, Shabanu is called upon to sacrifice everything she’s dreamed of. Should she do what is necessary to uphold her family’s honor—or listen to the stirrings of her own heart?

Customer Reviews:

the best.......2007-03-28

A Girls Life and Future

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about true life. I loved

this book because I have seen the pain of being married off at the age of 13.

I recommend this book to mature readers because of the descriptive words and

sentences. Shabanu keep me reading and it was impossible to put down.

ZZZZZZ.......2007-03-23

This book stinks. It's about a 12 year old girl named Shabanu who lives in the desert of Pakistan. Her life as been perfect since she was born, taking care of the camels, climbing thorn trees, and running free in the desert. But when an evil landowner murders the person her older sister Phulan was betrothed to. Now she must sacrifice everything she's dreamed of to save her family. Sounds like a pretty okay plot, right? WRONG! This book tries to make you hate it. It's boring, depressing (her life really sucks), and repetitive. There are some really good parts, but they are just drowned out by the badness of the book. And worst of all, it just ends. The plot actually starts getting thicker, but it just stops. It's like: Shabanu did this, Shabanu did that, Shabanu did thi-The end. The moral of the story: don't read this book.

This book is good and bad!.......2007-03-04

This book really changed my life. I was assigned to read this book, and Haveli in 7th grade. Shabanu shows a strong, defiant, girl trying to grow into her womanhood. There is a lot of tragedy for her and her family in this book, and there is a lot of talk about breast size and sex in this book, so if you haven't had "the talk" yet, you probably don't want to read this. I felt that the ending was a little stupid, and it felt like the author ran out of paper or something.
All in all, this book has its good and bad moments.

Shabanu Got On My Nerves.......2007-01-07

Okay, I had to read this book for my Freshman English class, for our unit on the Middle East. I had already read the one by an Arabic author, and reading this, you could tell it was by an American. It was a total cliche: Shabanu is an oppressed girl in Pakistan. Shabanu does not like this. Shabanu complains about being oppressed. Shabanu "rebels" against oppression. Shabanu is beaten. Shabanu cries.
The end.
I've met Pakistani girls before, and they're nothing like Shabanu. They're proud to be Muslim- they are proud to follow the rules of their faith.
Shabanu, however, is not proud. She never stops whining about it.
And then the ending bothered me, too. It was just such an obvious set up for a sequel, it totally disgusted me. It wasn't even much of an ending, really. It's almost like she just chopped the chapter off short and stuck it in the next book.

a lovely heroine, a lovely novel.......2007-01-01

I first read this book as a girl in junior high. As a woman grown, and approaching motherhood, I would like my daughter to read this book when she is old enough. It is a story about a strong-willed, independent young woman who must learn to reconcile her duties with her own impulses. It is a coming of age story, but an unusual one because it is set in the wilderness of the desert plains in Pakistan. Shabanu is not meek or powerless in the iconographic way of Arab women. She is a spirited and warm young woman. But the limitations of her culture force her to grow up, and she must find the ballast within herself to maintain her sense of identity while bowing to the outside demands of her culture.

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Shabanu Daughter of the Wind
Suzanne Fisher Staples
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind (Readers Circle)

ASIN: 0788701894

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Shabanu Daughter of the Wind
Suzanne Fisher Staples
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Product Description

Small format Hardcover

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SHABANU. Daughter of the Wind.
Suzanne Fisher. Staples
Manufacturer: Knopf,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Shabanu: Daughter of the wind [by] Suzanne Fisher Staples : a study guide (Novel-ties)

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Shabanu: Daughter of the wind [by] Suzanne Fisher Staples : a study guide (Novel-ties)
Barbara Reeves
Manufacturer: Learning Links
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006S79JG

Shabanu: daughter of the wind: Teacher's resource manual, (Perma-guides to literature)

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Shabanu: daughter of the wind: Teacher's resource manual, (Perma-guides to literature)
Mary Ellen Snodgrass
Manufacturer: Perma-bound
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006QMNOO

Book Description

Studies of animal behavior often assume that all members of a species exhibit the same behavior. Geographic Variation in Behavior shows that, on the contrary, there is substantional variation within species across a wide range of taxa. Including work from pioneers in the field, this volume provides a balanced overview of research on behavioral characteristics that vary geographically. The authors explore the mechanisms by which behavioral differences evolve and examine related methodological issues. Taken together, the work collected here demonstrates that genetically based geographic variation may be far more widespread than previously suspected. The book also shows how variation in behavior can illuminate both behavioral evolution and general evolutionary patterns. Unique among books on behavior in its emphasis on geographic variation, this volume is a valuable new resource for students and researchers in animal behavior and evolutionary biology.

Geographic Variation in Behavior : Perspectives on Evolutionary Mechanisms

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Geographic Variation in Behavior : Perspectives on Evolutionary Mechanisms
Susan A. Foster
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OK27E8

Book Description

Alkyd resins form one of the biggest genre of surface coatings resins. They date from the late twenties as commercial products for paints and their use has encompassed all the surface coatings market segments, from automotive to decorative, from marine to aerospace.

Discusses alkyds preparation and manufacture, including the most important industrial processes
Contains details of alkyd resins and paints, including paint manufacture and formulations
Presents recent developments in the field of new technology alkyds, waterborne alkyds and high solids alkyds

Book Description

While the common practice of Quality Assurance aims to prevent bad units from being shipped beyond some allowable proportion, statistical process control (SPC) ensures that bad units are not created in the first place. Its philosophy of continuous quality improvement, to a great extent responsible for the success of Japanese manufacturing, is rooted in a paradigm as process-oriented as physics, yet produces a friendly and fulfilling work environment. The first edition of this groundbreaking text showed that the SPC paradigm of W. Edwards Deming was not at all the same as the Quality Control paradigm that has dominated American manufacturing since World War II. Statistical Process Control: The Deming Paradigm and Beyond, Second Edition reveals even more of Deming's philosophy and provides more techniques for use at the managerial level. Explaining that CEOs and service industries need SPC at least as much as production managers, it offers precise methods and guidelines for their use. Using the practical experience of the authors working both in America and Europe, this book shows how SPC can be implemented in a variety of settings, from health care to manufacturing. It also provides you with the necessary technical background through mathematical and statistical appendices. According to the authors, companies with managers who have adopted the philosophy of statistical process control tend to survive. Those with managers who do not are likely to fail. In which group will your company be?

Customer Reviews:

The only complete course of SPC that I know.......2002-06-01

Variation is inherent in many processes common in companies and societies. Edwards Deming, one of the architects of Japan's industrial success, regarded the understanding of variation as one of the most important managerial skills. Unfortunately only few books on management treat that subject at all, and these that do, most frequently give it only a very superficial coverage.
The reviewed book is the only one I know that gives a full explanation of both the practice and the theory of statistical process control (SPC) - the way to understand variation. As a manager and TQM coach I fully recommend the book to managers and management students, as a mathematician I recommend it to students and researchers in statistics.
Readers without mathematical background should not be scared by many mathematical formulas in the book that explain why SPC works. They may very well skip the reading of equations without any loss in understanding of how SPC works and how to use it in practice.
In my opinion the book of James R. Thompson and Jacek Koronacki should be regarded as a must for any business school library and the bookshelf of any manager.

Andrzej Blikle
Professor in mathematics and computer science
Member of Academia Europaea
President of "A.Blikle Ltd."

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Statistical Process Control: The Deming Paradigm and Beyond, Second Edition.(Book Review): An article from: IIE Transactions
Duana A. Floyd
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000BYA2Z8
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from IIE Transactions, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1241 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Statistical Process Control: The Deming Paradigm and Beyond, Second Edition.(Book Review)
Author: Duana A. Floyd
Publication: IIE Transactions (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 37 Issue: 11 Page: 1086(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Handy little work

Apostolic Fathers: Volume I. I Clement. II Clement. Ignatius. Polycarp. Didache. Barnabas (Loeb Classical Library No. 24)

Manufacturer: Loeb Classical Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Apostolic Fathers: Volume II. Shepherd of Hermas. Martyrdom of Polycarp. Epistle to Diogentus (Loeb Classical Library No. 25)

Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Volume II, Books 6-10 (Loeb Classical Library No. 265)

Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I-V (Loeb Classical Library, No. 153)

Apostolic Fathers: Volume II. Epistle of Barnabas. Papias and Quadratus. Epistle to Diognetus. The Shepherd of Hermas (Loeb Classical Library No. 25N)

ASIN: 0674990277

Book Description

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEWER EDITION

The writings of the Apostolic Fathers give a picture of Christian life and thought in the period immediately after New Testament times. Some of them were accorded almost Scriptural authority in the early Church. The nine texts subsumed under this title include the epistles of Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, which were written while Ignatius was en route to Rome as a prisoner, condemned to die in the wild-beast arena. Here too is the "Didache," a book of precepts in religious instruction, worship, and ministry; and the "Epistle of Barnabas," which attempts to sever the connection between Judaism and the Old Testament. "The Shepherd of Hermas" is a book of revelations and a doctrine of repentance; and the "Martyrdom of Polycarp" gives an account of the persecution of Christians at Smyrna.

Customer Reviews:

Handy little work.......2000-09-28

I'm not sure how much the texts have been updated since the time that the author wrote this, which is why I only gave 4 stars in my review, but I can't imagine that the text suffers much.

The format is great, with Greek on the left and the english translation on the right, with scripture references, footnotes and textual variants in most cases. There is an introduction to each author briefly sketching the history of each text, manuscripts used, etc - thoroughly academic. The size of the book is great, I can easily throw it in any coat pocket.

The writings of Ignatius included are the seven letters of the shorter recension mentioned by Eusebius, for those curious souls who wish to know.

Christianity is, from first to last, a historical construct. It rests on the truth of a historical person, Jesus of Nazareth, the people who historically continued in His ministry, and the things which they both historically taught. At least three of the writers in this collection knew at least one Apostle personally, so their writings are an essential witness to the content of apostolic teaching, and as such are invaluable in interpreting the eternal message contained in the scriptures.

The entire flavor of the pre-nicene church helps bring out a good deal of things that are in the New Testament but which we either miss or gleam over. Also, their application of Christ's teaching was understood in many cases differently than how we are taught to read them. I'm not espousing anything sensational, as if there is some secret teaching that they had access to, but they actually lived out the principles that we too often water down. Occasionally these writings serve as a good correction of our understanding on some topics, but more often it is their paradigm (if I can use a Kuhnian expression) that differs from ours...

So do read, and enjoy.

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The Apostolic Fathers I and II. Loeb Classical Library Series. In Two Volumes.
II Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache, Barnabas. Translated By Kirsopp Lake Apostolic Fathers: I Clement
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QXQFS2

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