In another blow to the "junk DNA is vestigial extraterrestrial DNA that proves aliens made us" buffoonery, Science Daily recently posted an overview of a new scientific paper in the peer-reviewed journal Genome Biology that demonstrates that junk DNA is (wait for it)...
science
Intelligent Design and Nobel Laureates
From time to time I post on intelligent design (ID) here, as that perspective on origins could be (and has been) offered as a backdrop for any intelligent ET life that might be found out in the universe someday. That is, the Designer would also have designed alien...
Is “Jesus Archaeology” Becoming Like Professional Wrestling?
That was the thought that hit me after reading "Scientists say Turin Shroud is Supernatural." Now, you all know that I'm interested in the Shroud of Turin. (How could I not be when I write a blog like this?) Despite my ambivalence toward the object (I lean toward the...
Junk DNA as Evidence of ET Life in our Genes? Try Again.
There have been a number of news items and articles recently (last year - I collect them) on how "junk DNA" is now known to not be junk. Here's an example. As genetic research continues to advance, this previously-assumed junk DNA (called so because it had no...
New Evidence for a 14th Century Shroud of Turin Date
Before you say, "well that's obvious," you should be aware that there is serious science behind the idea that the C-14 dating for the shroud is suspect due to contamination (see The DNA of God?: Newly Discovered Secrets of the Shroud of Turin; the author is a...
Evolutionary Biology Consensus: The Death Throes
I post this not because it has anything directly to do with UFO Religions, but it does bear peripherally on our discussions. Many alien life enthusiasts (not to mention intelligent design critics in general) are fond of appealing to the assured results of evolutionary...
Seth Shostak’s Statement of ET Faith
Read it here. Really - what's the difference between saying "in 25 years I believe we'll have proof of God's existence" vs. "In 25 years I believe we'll have proof of ETs?" Nothing (although the latter might take *more* faith).
Junk DNA and Evolution
Here's an interesting piece from Cornelius Hunter's blog (PhD in biophysics and computational biology; read: he ain't no hack). This "junk DNA" is a favorite point of appeal to people who want to see alien fiddling with the human genome (like Zecharia Sitchin). It's...
Turin Shroud Site from the BBC
There's a nice link within this article to a (sort of) interactive display of the shroud. Nicely done.
Eastern Orthodoxy and ET Life
I came across this interesting article: "An Eastern Orthodox Perspective on Microbial Life on Mars" (Theology and Science 6:4, 2008). I'm not Eastern Orthodox, but I think this paragraph in the article's conclusion is well written and well-reasoned: To be sure, there...
Biblical Anthropology and the Mind-Body Debate, Part 3
In the last post I introduced the basic positions on the mind-body debate. Here are three good articles on the issue that I'd also recommend reading: The Dialogue Between Neuroscience and Theology, by Dr. Alan J. Gijspers (physician) Scientific Perspectives on...
PseudoScience and the Ohio Serpent Mound
An interesting discussion on this over at the "Hot Cup of Joe" blog, which focuses on archaeology and anthropology. Check it out for some holiday PaleoBabble!
The Astrobiological Delusion Regarding the Future of Religion
Nice, brief article by professor Ted Peters. Editor's note: including the content of the above link below,From Theology Topic: The Astrobiological Delusion Regarding the Future of Religion: The Astrobiological Delusion Regarding the Future of Religion Returning to...
Pharaoh Akhenaten’s Unusual Physique: Proof of Alien DNA?
Uh . . . nope. Well . . . it does have something to do with genetics . . . but not from space aliens. Fortunately, we have something called . . . science . . . to help us understand what may have been going on with Akhenaten (and other members of the 18th dynasty)....
Junk DNA Not Really Junk
Thought I'd throw this up since it might speak to some out there who think our "junk" DNA is alien DNA (i.e., that's part of their faith).