Biologists are joining the debate on CC because we are seeing ecological changes that are unprecedented in the last 200,000 years (all we have records for). The changes in ecosystems are happening too fast for species to adapt changes, which hasn’t occurred since some of the big geologic extinctions. As a biologist I feel ethically bound to weigh in. Even the species I study (tsetse fly) is making changes in range expansion that are scary. They are going places that are breaching genetic isolation that has been in place for hundreds of thousands of years. These changes are clearly not within natural variation if just because Nature has never had to respond to these kinds of changes since deep large extinctions. In fact we are loosing coral reefs that have been in place for millions of years.

You found a climatologist who doesn’t believe in anthropogenic global warming? What a rare find. I’d love to see their peer reviewed article on it (key word–per reviewed).

That article on Evolution should be there somewhere. The one this post is about is the only one I’ve pulled.

Anyway, I’m glad you are a reader. I’ll give you a heads up if I do more with global warming and you can avoid those ones

Are the topics socially acceptable and the words you use are they socially acceptable? If they are where is the fear? What you write hear is not an exploration of our faith. It is an exploration of your faith. My faith is not dependent upon anything you might say. I may find what you write interesting. Or, I may find it boring. I may become offended. But these are my reactions and I must own them. You cannot force me to become offended. That is a choice I make. You are not responsible for my reactions.

I don’t think accepting evolution is at all necessary. There are only two things necessary: gaining a body and treating others as we would like to be treated. That’s it. Except for Mormons. We are obligated to fulfill our commitments to the covenant we made with God. I find evolution interesting and what knowledge we gain here rises with us. As a trained historian I believe that historians are closer to God than biologists, anyway. After all, we have been commanded to study history but nowhere are we commanded to study biology. )

As for global warming (I assume you mean anthropomorphic global warming) I think it is bunk. Your thoughts on the matter are not going to shake my conviction. I consider myself a critical thinker and have studied both sides. I would hope this blog does not turn into a blog on advocacy of AGW. If that were to happen, I would drop the blog. When I want information on global warming I turn to climatologists not biologists.

So my suggestion is write what you want. You are not responsible for how people respond to your thoughts. The only responsibility you have is to be true to yourself.

Rich

PS: You had a terrific article on evolution but I no longer see it on your blog. Did you take it off?

But I digress – actually, I have experienced the same thing. I have had posts that I was compelled to remove (not too fun, but I survived), and then others which currently remain “drafts” by my own choice. Writing them was cathartic enough…sharing them with the world not necessary – they do make good personal journal entries, though! I’m with the Cap and SFaux camp, Trust your gut – if it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably best to make a cut, or hold off altogether and let it percolate.

That said, I am uncomfortable about some speculations that I see online. Go figure.

So, I say your ability to cut the blog and think about it is an admirable quality.

Now, I certainly could say more, but I need to get back to my 25 page essay I am writing for my blog.

I can see eternity and I wish I could see it without fear before I die, but I seriously doubt I ever will. I have only allowed myself to see it twice in the last seventeen years. The last time was when I turned forty and it scared me just as bad then as it did at eleven when I first saw it. It is a very crushing experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had some things on that blog that were more opinionated, and to some could be offensive. (Namely to my wife’s parents). I decided to take those off the blog.

I think some things are better unsaid. However, this is not a blog on family trips and weekends making cider. All I can say is post what you feel comfortable posting, and the other stuff, wait a while and then see how you feel.