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2	Themes “Origins” – origin of the universe and of man The fall of man and the human dilemma God’s response to human rebellion God’s development of Abraham and his descendants as God’s witnesses to the world
3	Author: Moses That’s what Jesus said (Mark 12:26) – and the ancient Jews agreed (Talmud, Apocrypha, Philo, Josephus) Scholars over the last 200 years have disputed this by literary analysis (and because of certain anachronisms) – but recent computer studies indicate unity and literary consistency. As a prince of Egypt, Moses was educated and literate. He was also familiar with the 2^nd Millennium BC covenant forms and geography reflected in Genesis. Possible later authors would not be aware of these – but later scribes may have “updated” the text, inserting the anachronisms
4	Is Genesis merely a restatement by the Jews of older myths (eg, Enuma Elish, Gilgamesh Epic)? There are similarities – but substantive differences Genesis is more accurate (when accuracy can be verified) Genesis portrays one all-powerful, loving God – vs many flawed cruel gods The existence of earlier myths of creation and a similar flood story has no bearing on God’s revelations to Abraham and the Patriarchs – and in many ways reinforces them
5	Genesis 1 and the Big Bang Including thoughts about Intelligent Design
6	"God proclaimed “Light" God proclaimed “Light” “In the Beginning” “IN THE beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. And God said: ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.” (Gen 1:1-3 JPS) But this “Light” is not the light of the sun, moon, and stars; it’s something else: “And God said: ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.” (Gen 1:14-16 JPS) What is “Light”?
7	What man calls “light” is the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation The Bible often expresses complex concepts in simple terms that can be understood by the primitive and uneducated There is no word in ancient Hebrew for “electromagnetic radiation” – and even educated people did not understand this before 1830 AD A vast explosion produces huge quantities of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum – visible and invisible Could the “Light” of Gen 1:3 be a vast explosion?
8	What is the “Big Bang” Theory? The universe began as a “point source singularity”: infinitesimally small size and infinite density String theorists claim it had a finite size, 10^-35 m dia It “exploded” due to an unknown cause Vast amounts of matter and antimatter were rapidly created and annihilated; a small statistical surplus of matter became our universe Over billions of years, it developed according to Einstein’s theory of General Relativity into the universe we observe today
9	Some predictions of General Relativity have strong scriptural basis The curved spacetime of General Relativity implies space is not nothingness – it is physical reality
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11	Inflationary Model of the Big Bang
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13	Binding forces after the Big Bang
14	But all this did not proceed automatically As the Universe expanded after the “Big Bang,” there were many critical junctures at which the most likely situation would have been collapse. But it took an unlikely path, and grew into the universe as we know it. Hence, based on probability theory, formation of our universe from the “Big Bang,” was a “miracle.”
15	“The earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:2 JPS) According to ancient Jewish commentators, the word we translate “waters” means a disorganized liquefied mass – a plasma(?) The word we translate “hovered” has the connotation of a mother bird brooding over her nest Does Gen 1:2 tell us the Holy Spirit shepherded the “Big Bang” through these low probability events into today’s universe?
16	“Proof” of the Big Bang In 1965, Penzias and Wilson discovered cosmic radiation with max power wavelength ~1.06 mm (microwave region – equivalent to 2.726^oK blackbody radiation). This was convincing evidence supporting the “Big Bang” theory of the creation of the universe, because the theory predicted cosmic radiation of this character.
17	Black Holes Many creationists dispute the “Big Bang” Theory Institute for Creation Research physicist Dr. D. R. Humphreys postulates the universe began as a Black Hole (and/or it’s reverse, a “White Hole” or “White Fountain”) This is an interesting idea, but Humphreys has not completed the calculations (cf Starlight and Time, R. D. Humphreys, 1994)
18	The issue of “Days”
19	"“IN THE beginning God..." “IN THE beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. And God said: ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. And God said: ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’ And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. And God said: ‘Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He Seas; and God saw that it was good. And God said: ‘Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.’ And it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day.” (Gen 1:1-13 JPS)
20	Can we harmonize the “Big Bang” Theory with Genesis 1?
21	Often overlooked in the debate The Big Bang postulates the universe had a beginning (and hence has a finite age), just as the Bible says. Prior to acceptance of the Big Bang, scientists believed the universe was eternal (with no beginning or end). The Big Bang postulates time and space (“space-time”) began in an instant . . . from virtually nothing. This is the way Jewish tradition interprets Genesis 1.
22	The Big Bang Theory affirms Genesis 1 The only issue is the meaning of “day” (Hebrew: yom) (and 6 days is relatively close to 13.8 Gyr – compared to infinity)
23	Biblical Hebrew Ancient language: small vocabulary, highly contextual Reflects the communication of an all-powerful, all-knowing God with primitive man . . . simplifying complex concepts so man can understand “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12 NIV)
24	Chaucer: 14^th century English Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne, And smale foweles maken melodye, When in April the sweet showers fall That pierce March's drought to the root and all And bathed every vein in liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath, Filled again, in every holt and heath, The tender shoots and leaves, and the young sun His half-course in the sign of the Ram has run, And many little birds make melody
25	Beowulf: 11^th century English Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum, monegum mægþum, meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas. Syððan ærest wearð feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah, oðþæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra ofer hronrade hyran scolde, gomban gyldan. þæt wæs god cyning! LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, awing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he!
26	Possible meanings for yom based on context throughout the Old Testament 24 hour day (or 12 hour period: “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.”) Indefinite period of time: “Day-Age” Interpretation (Isa 22:5 JPS: “For it is a day of trouble, and of trampling, and of perplexity, from the Lord, the GOD of hosts, in the Valley of Vision”) Time of Judgment (Isa 2:12 JPS: “For the LORD of hosts hath a day upon all that is proud and lofty, and upon all that is lifted up, and it shall be brought low”)
27	What do Jewish tradition and early Christian fathers say? The “days of Genesis” were not a particular concern; nothing is recorded before the time of Jesus. Later Jewish and Christian scholars can be quoted on to justify both 24-hour and Day-Age positions Christian tradition of 24-hour days dates only to 17^th century, when Ussher and Lightfoot set time of creation at 9:00 AM, Oct 3, 4004 BC.
28	Reasons to interpret “yom” as 24-hour days (Literal Day Interpretation) God’s comment within the Ten Commandments: “8 Remember the sabbath day . . . 9 Six days shalt thou labour, . . . 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God, . . . 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day.” (Ex 20:8-11 JPS) Use of the terms “evening” and “morning”: “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” (Ge 1:5 JPS) But these can also be translated “chaos” and “order”
29	This raises the question of “Uniformitarianism” Did God create the Laws of Physics when He spoke words of Creation? OR Did God put the Laws of Physics into effect AFTER His creative acts? The Literal Day Interpretation requires belief in #2, invalidating accepted scientific techniques (radioactive dating, Doppler redshifts, etc) to explain cosmology Did God creat the universe to appear old to trick mankind?
30	“If I were asked whether there were any major places of weakness in the (6-day) creationist armor, I would have to admit it has been . . . in the area of cosmology.” – Ken Ham Answers in Genesis
31	Reasons to interpret “yom” as indefinite time period (Day-Age Interpretation) The “6-day” creation of Genesis 1 is immediately followed by “1-day” creation in Genesis 2: “These are the generations of the heaven and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.” (Gen 2:4 JPS) The Bible does not record an end to the “7^th day”: “And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made” (Gen 2:2-3 JPS).
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33	Possible synthesis of scientific data with “days” of Genesis 1
34	Days 4 and 5 “And God said: ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. And God said: ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let fowl fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.’ And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that creepeth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after its kind, and every winged fowl after its kind; and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.’ And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. (Gen 1:14-23 JPS)
35	Days 5 & 6
36	Day 6 And God said: ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind.’ And it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after its kind, and the cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. And God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’ And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them; and God said unto them: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth.’ And God said: ‘Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed—to you it shall be for food; and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, I have given every green herb for food.’ And it was so. And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (Gen 1:24-2:1 JPS)
37	Other Interpretations of the “Days” Gap Theory: “IN THE beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen 1:1 JPS) This was a universe ruled by Satan; it was destroyed when Satan fell: “Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:2 JPS) A New Universe was created: “And God said: ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.” (Gen 1:3 JPS) Literal-Days-with-Gaps: The 6 days were literal but not consecutive These are relative recent interpretations, responding to geological data
38	Other Interpretations of the “Days” Allegorical Interpretation Genesis 1 is not meant to be taken literally Framework Interpretation Combines Allegorical and Day-Age Interpretations The 6 “days” are actually 3 “days” stated twice . . . the 1^st three are generalizations and the 2^nd are particularizations (or two “registers” outlining creation “kingdoms” and creation “kings”) Note second creation account in Gen 2
39	This graphic shows the logic of the Framework Interpretation
40	Age of Universe Estimates Radioactive Dating: 12-16 10⁹ yrs Precise spectroscopic measurements for a single star: 11-19 10⁹ yrs Cooling ages of faintest white dwarf stars: >10 10⁹ yrs Brightness of stars in oldest global clusters: >11 10⁹ yrs Hubble Key Project (Redshift Measurements): 12.2-15.3 * 10⁹ yrs Wilkinson Microwave Anisotrophy Probe (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation): 13.0-14.6 * 10⁹ yrs
41	Typical statement: “Scientific measurements point to an age for the universe of about 10-20 billion years” For discussion purposes, assume the WAMP estimate of 13.8 Gyr
42	Age of the Earth: ~4.6 Gyr Radiochronometry is the use of radioactive isotopes to date rocks. Some isotopes used are: ²³⁵U à ²⁰⁷Pb: Half-life = 700 Myr ⁴⁰K à ⁴⁰Ar: Half-life = 1.3 Gyr ²³⁸U à ²⁰⁶Pb: Half-life = 4.5 Gyr ⁸⁷Rb à ⁸⁷Sr: Half-life = 49 Gyr One measures the isotope ratios in crystalline inclusions and distinguishes original elemental content from radioactive decay products to date the time since the rock solidified. An isotope measurement +/- 1% gives an age measurement <+/- 4%, so radioactive dating is best for ages 0.5-3.5 half-lives.
43	Arguments for a “Young Earth” Magnetic Field Decay (argues <10 Kyr) Helium in the rocks (argues nuclear decay rates faster long ago) Salt in the sea (argues <62 Myr) Supernova remnants too few (argues ~10 Kyr) Comets should have all evaporated Lunar recession (argues <1.4 Gyr)
44	Arguments for a “Young Earth” Hemoglobin and blood cells found in dinosaur bones (argues dinosaurs ~25 Kyr) Radiohalos in certain mineral crystals (argues nuclear decay rates faster long ago) Based on observed rates of erosion, continents should have worn away long ago (argues <2.5 Gyr)
45	Another View: Using Time Dilation of Special Relativity to harmonize Genesis 1 and scientific data
46	Consider the frame of reference for measuring time in Genesis 1 . . . Even if “yom” refers to a 24 hour day, why are they necessarily 6 earth-days? How can “Earth time” exist before sun and moon are created on the 4^th “day”? God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky . . . as signs to mark seasons and days and years” (Gen 1:14) “Man’s time” is irrelevant until the end of the 6^th “day” – when man is created.
47	Frame of reference for days 1-6 Gerald Schroeder suggests “days” 1-6 are in measured from God’s frame of reference, whereas time in the rest of the bible is measured in earth time – ie, man’s time (Genesis and the Big Bang, p 49)? “Advocates of the framework interpretation argue that . . . the six days do not mark the passage of earthly time . . . , but of heavenly time” – Lee Irons (The Genesis Debate, “The Framework View,” p 248)
48	What is “Heavenly time”? According to traditional Jewish interpretation, the “heavens” in Gen 1.1 include a “3rd heaven” where God dwells (cf 2 Cor 12:2), distinct from the sky above (1^st heaven) and universe beyond (2^nd heaven) “The heaven where God dwells (the “3rd heaven”) . . . is a part of creation, and therefore it is a real place” – Lee Irons, The Genesis Debate, “The Framework View,” p 237
49	Genesis 1 and Special Relativity Objective: Apply time dilation from 13.8 Gyr to 6, 24-hour days to the creation event . . . and consider if is it consistent with the Bible, the Big Bang Theory, and Hubble’s Law?
50	Basis of time dilation: measurements show the speed of light, c, is constant, independent of the point of observation A man on earth turns on a beacon, and sees the light moving away @ c = 3 * 10⁸ m/s . . . But a man on the spaceship sees light moving toward him @ c = 3 * 10⁸ m/s, despite the high speed of the space ship relative to the earth.
51	According to Special Relativity, the speed of light is constant, and time depends on the frame of reference
52	Basic time dilation equation from special relativity Δt’ = Δt / (1 – v²/c²)^½ where v is the speed of two bodies relative to one another, and Δt, Δt’ are the times measured in each frame of reference
53	How significant is the time dilation? Flying CVG-LAX, 3050 km in 4.25 hrs, 200 m/s average speed. Calculate time dilation: Δt’ = Δt / (1 – v²/c²)^½ Δt / Δt’ = (1 – v²/c²)^½ = (1 – {210²}²/{310⁸}²)^½ = (1 – 410⁴/910¹⁶)^½ = (1 – 4.410^-13)^½ = (0.99999999999956)^½ = 0.99999999999978 For Δt = 4.25 hrs (15300 s): time dilation = 3.37 10^-9 s (3.37 ns) Insignificant compared to lifetime of 70 yrs = 2.2 * 10⁹ s
54	Time dilation is significant only as v àc (speed of light)
55	Is time dilation real, or just mathematics? PanAm (now Delta) once flew jets from New York around the world in opposite directions. In 1971, cesium atomic clocks were flown on round-the-world jets and compared them with a stationary cesium clock in New York. The elapsed time measured by each clock was consistent with time dilation predicted by special relativity.
56	Is time dilation real, or just mathematics? A subatomic particle, the muon, is detected on earth in large quantities. The muon is produced >10 km (10⁴ m) above the earth and has mean lifetime is 2.2 * 10^-6 s Muons travel ~0.9c, so it should takes 3.7 * 10^-5 s, for them to travel to earth . . . 17 times longer than their mean lifetime! (t = d/v = d/0.9c = 10⁴ m / 2.7 * 10⁸ m/s = 3.7 * 10^-5 s) Muons should all decay before they reach earth . . . but we observe them because of time dilation
57	Consider . . . distance of other galaxies from Earth – and their velocities of recession
58	This is described by Hubble’s Law and the Hubble Constant Galaxies are moving away from us at a velocity proportional to their distance v = H₀d H₀ = “Hubble’s Constant”
59	Calculating Age of Universe from Hubble’s Law and Hubble Constant Hubble’s law: v = H₀d (H₀ is Hubble’s Constant) Assume constant velocity of expansion of the universe since time t₀ when it “exploded” from a point source singularity in the “Big Bang” t - t₀ = Δt = d/v (Basic Physics equation) Age of universe: Δt = d/v = 1/H₀
60	Calculate the relative velocity for time dilation from 6 days to 13.8 billion years : Δt’ = Δt / (1 – v²/c²)^½ 6 days = 6/365.25 yrs = 1.64 * 10^-2 yrs Δt’ / Δt = 1.38 * 10¹⁰ yrs / 1.64 * 10^-2 yrs = 8.40075 * 10¹¹ yrs = 1 / (1 – v²/c²)^½ 1.1903699 * 10^-12 = (1 – v²/c²)^½ 1.41698 * 10^-24 = 1 – v²/c² v² = c²(0.999999999999999999999998583) The relative velocity is almost c . . .
61	Implications of Hubble’s Law to the “maximum possible extent” of the universe Hubble’s Law implies the “maximum possible extent” of the universe has a velocity nearing the speed of light It follows that such a “maximum possible extent” of the universe (d_c = c/H₀), expressed in light years, is the same magnitude as the age of the universe calculated from Hubble’s Law (Δt = 1/H₀)
62	What is the “maximum possible extent” of the universe?
63	"This is in good agreement..." This is in good agreement with the measured extent of the universe
64	Hypothesis: Since the Big Bang, there has been a relative velocity of nearly c between a real and distinct “3^rd heaven” and our “universe”
65	Time Dilation Considerations
66	The data suggest . . . If a “3^rd Heaven” beyond our universe exists, the time of creation measured from its frame of reference relative to earth time could plausibly be dilated from ~13.8 Gyr to ~6 days!
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68	Pause for Questions
69	Some thoughts about Intelligent Design Especially in contrast to Evolution and Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection
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72	What are problems with “Natural Selection”? Scientists have never observed spontaneous generation of life The fossil record contains no intermediates from one species to another (“missing links”) There is no evidence of mutations which add genetic information . . . just evidence of genetic deterioration When “Natural Selection” was formulated ~150 years ago, science had no concept of the complexity of life: cell theory had just been proposed (1838), and genetics was not discovered until 1866 There isn’t enough time for complex life to evolve if earth is only 4.6 Gyr old
73	Shape of the Fossil Record Darwinian evolution builds diversity progressively, so that species should form early and phyla form late. This is not what we see in the fossil record.
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76	"Irreducible Complexity" Irreducible Complexity Complexity – lots of parts Irreducible complexity – each part is needed for mechanism to have any function. Example: mouse trap Bait is optional Other parts necessary
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83	So if the Theory of Evolution has so many holes, why do most scientists accept it? Old paradigms die hard . . . Science focuses on observable data; an unseen creator falls into a different category “Evolution . . . (is) universally accepted not because it can be proven by logically coherent evidence to be true, but because the only alternative, special creation, is clearly incredible.” – Prof DMSWatson, Nature Believing in Natural Selection in the 21^st century is more an act of faith than of science!
84	Yet we must be careful claiming each and every species is a direct creation of God “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.” (Gen 1:24 AV) “And God said: ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind.’ And it was so.” (Gen 1:24 JPS) “ And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.” (Gen 1:24 NIV) “ Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so.” (Gen 1:24 NAS)
85	Yet we must be careful claiming each and every species is a direct creation of God Genesis 1:24 may refer to: Mutations and/or microevolution Dominant and recessive traits, programmed within the genetic code. Dormant life forms, pre-programmed by God to come into existence when conditions are right Something else . . .
86	And what does the Bible mean with the Hebrew word translated “kind”? “Phyla,” “species” and other such words reflect organizational charts developed by man, not God
87	Creationist Explanation Differentiation of species occurred based on genetic selection from multiple “kinds” of life This point of view – though not “politically correct” – has much greater basis in science than Natural Selection
88	What is Intelligent Design? To search for extra-terrestrial life, scientists formulated criteria to decide whether radiowaves from outer space were communication from intelligent lifeforms or random noise These involve probability levels to distinguish intelligence Intelligent Design applies these same probability levels to mathematical models of the “evolutionary processes” and shows an “Intelligent Designer” was involved
89	END