The first thing I noticed was Wilson said something that seems overlooked here:
Wilson writes:
And this then put humanity in a wholly different light, namely as
potentially having arisen by this, you know, uncontrolled or un-designed process on our own on this planet, independently.
He may not have consistently tentative in his language, but it is clear here. And he's right - it did, it shook the roots of those with weak faith (most people I imagine).
Also, something that randman has put out there is this:
CHARLIE ROSE: Let me - let me lay into the scientific and - and Biblical conflict here. Both of you as scientists believe deeply in the law of science and the fact of science, that there`s no way you can reconcile a divine creator and the implications of Darwin`s theory of evolution, yes? And Darwin understood that too because of what he said at the time that he wrote.
JAMES D. WATSON: I think, you know, anyone who, you know, a divine thing which interferes with DNA-based evolution, I don`t believe it at all. That`s - yes.
CHARLIE ROSE: And Darwin understood it too, didn`t he?
EDWARD O. WILSON: Yes, I think so. I ...
CHARLIE ROSE: Because he had actually once thought about a religious life.
Watching the show is necessary to get this exchange. Charlie Rose is interrupting their answers and leading their questions somewhat. But once again, look at the way Watson worded it:
Watson writes:
...a divine thing which interferes with DNA-based evolution,
I don`t
believe it at all.
Another segment from later on
JAMES D. WATSON: Yes. But I really don`t know anyone else. And I - I think when you -- now that we`ve carried it forth, where we actually can look at DNA and see what it`s like in a chimpanzee, and you see all these things ...
CHARLIE ROSE: And ...
JAMES D. WATSON: ... the thought of anyone interfering, oh, boy. It just - it seems whacko.
Once again, you need to see the tape and see how its said. Watson is clearly shaking his head as if to say 'I just don't understand how anyone could think this'. Its very clearly an opinion.
An interesting quote from Watson, about religion:
Watson writes:
And human beings 3,000 years ago wanted to understand things and so - and to have rules. And so, I think developing religions was a very natural thing to do.
Now, for those of us who are trained in science, everything seems much simpler without God. And you know, you don`t have to worry about why did God let a child be born autistic.
Once again, everything SEEMS much simpler without God, more opinion.
I don't see these eminent biologists saying anything massively controversial, if you actually watch the show I think its fairly clear what is being said. I'm perplexed by the respsonse it has received. I don't see any proposals that 'proper understanding of biology excludes belief in a Creator'. I do see the proposal that belief in a Creator is not necessary to have proper understanding of biology being aired. Neither do they ever say 'that in their view it is logically impossible to reconcile belief in a God with science'. What they actually say is that 'the thought of anyone interfering...it seems whacko.'
I approached the show actually thinking I was about to hear a bunch of curmudgeonly old men ranting about how stupid religious people were and how smart they are. It turns out they are two bright gentleman who wanted to talk about the social implications of Darwin, what foresight he had, and the general future development of biological sciences. I was biased against them at the start, but watching it changed my mind.
I certainly find nothing massively controversial here, no worse than Agassiz (whom they discuss) and his exagerations and overstatements (or whatever randman would call them) about species being the thoughts of God. That is controversial.
I recommend watching the show if you can, it breathes life into the dead transcript.
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