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Creationism and Intelligent Design, Evolution, Education or Indoctrination

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By Manfred Davidmann

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Contents

Introduction
Reading, Interpreting, Translating of Consonantal Texts
Knowledge for Understanding not Available at Time of Translation
Politically Motivated Changes and Misinterpretations
Obscuring Meaning by making Changes (Bible Versions)
Creationism and 'Intelligent Design'
Evolution, Education or Indoctrination
Findings and Conclusions

Overview:  Church and State, Government and Religion, Education and Indoctrination

Relevant Current and Associated Works

Notes <..>
References {..} and Links

Relevant Subject Index Pages and Site Overview


Introduction

Manfred Davidmann has written a number of scientific books and reports that have had considerable impact. His work usually breaks new ground, opening up new areas of understanding. Outstanding is that his work and reports are generally accepted as objective, factual, proved, unbiased and independent.


When the Pentateuch <1> was written {1}, people had only little knowledge about science or evolution compared with what is known today. Hence concepts for which we now have precise terms were described rather than stated. Instead of the term 'scientific law' being used, for example, we see described that 'what is written applies to all people, present or absent, past or future, will happen regardless of how one feels about it, that the results of certain actions are reversed if the actions are reversed' <2>.

So the first step towards understanding the content of the Bible is to gain knowledge about its language, that is to understand how recorded letters and symbols were used to state the meaning of words. Such knowledge and understanding is particularly important when considering what scholars and clerics have done and are doing when they are 'interpreting' the text of the Bible.


Reading, Interpreting, Translating of Consonantal Texts

Just why there has been so much confusion about reading, interpreting and translating of consonantal texts can be seen from the following definitions {13}:

'Consonant'   A letter of the alphabet other than a vowel
     
'Reading'   Choosing between likely words which fit the written groups of consonants while allowing for the likely meaning of the sentence or verse in which they appear.
     
'Interpreting'   Somehow deciding between, or choosing from, alternative meanings for the selected words or sentences.

Interpretation attempts to suggest or provide meaning where the text itself is unclear, ambiguous, seems to have none.

'Reading' and 'interpreting' are closely interconnected since choice of words determines the meaning of the sentence, of the text.

Translating scholars, working from a consonantal text (no vowels), had to 'read' the text. That is, they had to decide between, or choose from, alternative meanings for given groups of letters (words), considering and selecting the most likely meaning of the sentence (interpretation).

Of course, they could only 'read' and 'interpret' the text, could only select a 'most likely' meaning, within their own knowledge and understanding. That is, within the knowledge and understanding available to them at that time, in those days. {12}


When the Hebrew word "ereb" was taken to mean "evening", and the Hebrew word "boker" was taken to mean "morning", then the phrase at the end of each stage of creation in Genesis could be interpreted to mean "there was evening and there was morning, one day." A reading and interpretation which corresponded to the knowledge and understanding of those doing the translating in those times. The knowledge needed for understanding Genesis was simply not available at time of translation. <3>


But the Hebrew 'word' ereb, said Manfred Davidmann {5}, can mean "evening," or else "to mingle," or "not to distinguish between them." Likewise, the Hebrew 'word' boker can mean "morning," or "to search," "to examine," and possibly "to check carefully." The statement about evening and morning, then, can just as easily be translated as

"there was a mingling and a uniformity and a searching for differences and an examination of differences"

- a clear statement of the process of evolutionary advance which, said Manfred Davidmann, is both valid and relevant considering our understanding of Genesis and our present scientific knowledge.


Knowledge for Understanding not Available at Time of Translation

Adam    {See 5, 11, 12}

Hebrew grammar distinguishes between proper names of persons and general nouns such as 'life form'. This distinction <4> has been ignored by Bible translators when reading and interpreting 'adam'. However, the distinction is meaningful and needs to be made if Genesis is to be understood as it was intended to be understood {5, 11}. <5>

The Bible translators were apparently not aware of knowledge such as this, and so parts of Genesis were misread, misinterpreted or mistranslated.


Manfred Davidmann clearly states and illustrates the simple, relevant and basic rules of Hebrew grammar which distinguish between individuals and life forms. These distinctions need to be made if Genesis is to be read and understood as intended, and were first made by Manfred Davidmann in 'The Meaning of Genesis: Creation, Evolution and the Origin of Evil' {5, 11}.


Politically Motivated Changes and Misinterpretations

But there are other reasons for making changes and for insisting on them!


Names of God    {See 5, 10, 12}

Some 150 years ago, there were those who wondered why God was being referred to by different names in Genesis. At that time a likely explanation appeared to be that Genesis had been written by a number of people pretending it had all been written by one person but that each author naively referred to God by a different designation. This multi-author hypothesis has undertones of propaganda aimed at discrediting the Pentateuch and its benevolent social teachings, by discrediting its single-author-based religious authority.


The multi-author hypothesis was disproved some time ago {2, 3}. However, Manfred Davidmann was the first who clearly stated and explained the meaning of the different names (designations) of God in Genesis, and who illustrated their importance. {5, 10}

You can see in 'The Meaning of Genesis: Creation, Evolution and the Origin of Evil' {5} that the different designations for God are not only meaningful but also extremely important. <6>


Adam and Eve    {See 5, 14, 15}

It was Manfred Davidmann who proved {5} that the allegory about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden describes the evolution of Homo sapiens (human beings, ourselves) from Homo erectus.

He showed, for example, that Genesis records that childbirth became more difficult as a result of the increased brain size (evolution of neocortex) which enabled Homo sapiens to know the difference between good and evil and to choose between them.

And that Genesis states the necessary division of work between the male and the female, as equals in different roles, in protecting and bringing up their children.

And much else.


Obscuring Meaning by Making Changes    (Bible Versions)

There were also those who seemed to think that they knew all there is to be known, that they could decide what is and what is not, that what they were not aware of did not exist, that what they did not understand could not be meaningful.

In Genesis Chapter 5, for example, the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuchs smoothed out the Masoretic chronology's listed life spans {12}, each in a different way, and so smoothed out, obscured, clues needed for understanding the meaning of the text.


Creationism and Intelligent Design

The terms "evolution" and "natural selection" did not exist and the author of Genesis instead described the progress of evolution.

The translations (readings and interpretations) of the early translators are based on the limited knowledge and understanding available to them at the time of translation. Current translations of Genesis are in turn based on their work and we saw that conflicts have arisen because parts of Genesis have been mistranslated or misinterpreted.

Creationism apparently assumes that the resulting erroneous text correctly states God's deeds.

Following the publication of Manfred Davidmann's Genesis reports {5, 6-12}, and of the publicity they generated, the 'Creationism' hypothesis was largely abandoned in USA as untenable. But a similar hypothesis was then put forward called 'Intelligent Design'.

And it seems that 'Intelligent Design' assumes that the same erroneous text could correctly state the deeds of some other supernatural being.


Evolution, Education or Indoctrination

Manfred Davidmann shows and proves that the record of creation in the original text of Genesis corresponds in the major steps to the order in which the earth and life are known to have been formed and developed. {5}

Described is the formation of the earth and early plant life, and evolution by 'the survival of the fittest'. The evolution from reptilian to mammalian instincts, feelings and behaviour is clearly stated, as is the evolution and corresponding behaviour, feeling and thinking of human beings from humanoids (animals resembling humans) through Homo erectus (early man) to Homo sapiens (human beings, ourselves).

There is no conflict or contradiction between what is recorded in Genesis and our scientific knowledge about evolution of human beings and of our planet.


Findings and Conclusions

Conflicts have arisen because parts of Genesis have been mistranslated or misinterpreted.

The 'Creationism' hypothesis apparently assumes that the resulting erroneous text correctly states God's deeds.

And it seems that the 'Intelligent Design' hypothesis assumes that the same erroneous text could correctly state the deeds of some other supernatural being.


The source text of Genesis does not contradict the modern science of evolution.

Manfred Davidmann's research and discoveries showed and proved that the source text of Genesis, written several thousand years ago, corresponds in the major steps to the order in which the earth and life are known to have been formed and developed. {5}

Described is the formation of the earth and early plant life, and evolution by 'the survival of the fittest'. The evolution from reptilian to mammalian instincts, feelings and behaviour is clearly stated, as is the evolution and corresponding behaviour, feeling and thinking of human beings from humanoids (animals resembling humans) through Homo erectus (early man) to Homo sapiens (human beings, ourselves). {5}

There is no conflict or contradiction between what is recorded in the source text of Genesis and our scientific knowledge about evolution of human beings and of our planet.



Overview:

Church and State, Government and Religion, Education and Indoctrination

This report is one of a series, which together lay bare the controversies between church and state, between religious belief and practice on the one hand, and the government on the other. Each work is self-standing but together they provide the knowledge needed for understanding the causes of conflicts and point to solving them.

The works in this series bring together findings and conclusions from Manfred Davidmann's published reports and provide new knowledge and insights, exploring their subject in depth, generally in advance of current knowledge.

1     The God-given Human Rights, Social Laws and Social System
           

Comprehensive statement of the God-given human rights which underlie all freedom, liberty and independence. They are the foundation of the main religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and they underlie and determine a good life of high quality.

         
2     Judaism, Christianity and Islam
       

Shows that underlying Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the Pentateuch's benevolent and egalitarian social laws and social system. Reveals for each religion the controversies and conflicts between church and state, between beliefs and practice.

         
3     Social Concept (Policies) of the Russian Orthodox Church
       

Reviews the Russian Orthodox Church's social and church-state policies. The church is shown to be quoting out of context from Paul's letter to the Romans, in relation to what seems to be a central core teaching on Christian church-state relationships.

         
4     Religion, Government and Education
       

Illustrates conflicting aims and interests of state and church with reference to teaching evolution (creationism) and teaching immorality (state-condoned promiscuity). Relative authority of Bible, common law, case law, religious leaderships, judges.

         
5     Social Policies (Doctrine) of the Roman Catholic Church: An Evaluation
       

The essential and fundamental social doctrines are evaluated in plain and meaningful language. About important principles of faith in relation to globalisation and benevolent church-state-people policies. Aims of the Church's doctrines and the consequences for Catholics. Challenging decisions are needed.

         
6     Creationism and Intelligent Design, Evolution, Education or Indoctrination
       

Conflicts have arisen because parts of Genesis have been mistranslated or misinterpreted.

The 'Creationism' hypothesis apparently assumes that the resulting erroneous text correctly states God's deeds. And the 'Intelligent Design' hypothesis apparently assumes that the same erroneous text correctly states the deeds of some other supernatural being.


Manfred Davidmann's research and discoveries showed and proved that the source text of Genesis corresponds in the major steps to the order in which the earth and life are known to have been formed and developed. Described is the formation of the earth and early plant life, and evolution by the 'survival of the fittest'. The evolution from reptilian to mammalian instincts, feelings and behaviour is clearly stated, as is the evolution and corresponding behaviour, feeling and thinking of human beings from humanoids (animals resembling humans) through Homo erectus (early man) to Homo sapiens (human beings, ourselves). {5}

There is no conflict or contradiction between what is recorded in the source Genesis text and our scientific knowledge about evolution of human beings and of our planet.


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Relevant Current and Associated Works
Manfred Davidmann   (www.solhaam.org)

Relevant current and associated reports by Manfred Davidmann:

To explore a reports new findings or insights, proposals or recommendations, download the report and read its Introduction, Summary, Contents list, Conclusions and Recommendations. The reports are comprehensive and usually some years ahead of current knowledge at the time of publication.

     
     
Title   Description
     
The God-given Human Rights, Social Laws and Social System    Comprehensive statement of the God-given human rights which underlie all freedom, liberty and independence. They are the foundation of the main religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and they underlie and determine a good life of high quality.
      
Struggle for Freedom: The Social Cause-and-Effect Relationship    Major review and analysis of the social laws and social system of the Pentateuch and of the Social Cause-and-Effect Relationship. Also reviews the role of religion and of Judaism under modern conditions.
      
The Meaning of Genesis: Creation, Evolution and the Origin of Evil    Shows that there is no conflict, no contradiction, no divergence, only awe-inspiring agreement, between what is recorded in Genesis and what we know about the evolution of human beings. And Genesis defines good and evil, pointing to the root of evil.
      
Genesis' Secrets: Pre-flood Evils and the Social Problems of Our Time    Derives hidden list of pre-flood evil behaviour in Genesis Chapter 5. Summarises corresponding present social problems, describes the Pentateuch's social laws and social system for overcoming them.
      
Genesis: Differentiating Between Good and Evil    Human beings became numerous and spread out. Different communities developed different traditions and ways of behaving. Shows that with the life and travels of the patriarchs, some learned the difference between good and evil and to behave humanely.
      
Genesis: Morality, Sexual Behaviour and Depravity    Moral and immoral behaviour and unavoidable consequences. Summarises corresponding present social problems. Describes the Pentateuch's social laws and social system for achieving a good life of high quality.
      
Genesis: Nephilim, Dominance and Liberty    Genesis on consequences of gaining and misusing power over others. Summarises corresponding present social problems. Describes the Pentateuch's social laws and social system for achieving and keeping liberty and a good life of high quality.
      
Meaning and Significance of the Names of God in Genesis    This short report describes the meaning and significance of the names of God which are used in Genesis. These are of the greatest importance for understanding the meaning of the text of the Bible.
      
Meaning and Intent of Genesis: Essential Notes on Hebrew Grammar    Short note describing the grammatical rules which help to differentiate between references to individuals and references to groups or life forms. Essential information for understanding the meaning of Genesis.
      
Bible Translations, Versions, Codes and Hidden Information in Bible and Talmud    Shows how changes made in the past have obscured the original intended meaning. Describes the ways in which hidden information has been encoded and labelled so that its original meaning could not be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
      
Text, Language, Dialect and Interpretation of the Koran    How written Arabic language developed from the time of Mohammed and how the Koran was assembled. How recorded letters and symbols were used to state the meaning of words. Compares 'readings' and interpretations.
      
Social Policies (Doctrine) of the Roman Catholic Church: An Evaluation
(Church and State)
   The essential and fundamental social doctrines are evaluated in plain and meaningful language. About important principles of faith in relation to globalisation and benevolent church-state-people policies. Aims of the Church's doctrines and the consequences for Catholics. Challenging decisions are needed.
      
ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY and JUDAISM    Proves by methods of biblical archaeology what Jesus really taught, how Paul changed what Jesus had taught, how this became Christianity's official doctrine. Outstanding are sections on Paul and the Gospels, on concurrent corresponding changes in Judaism.
      
How the Human Brain Developed and How the Human Mind Works    Describes clearly what happens while sleeping, role of dreaming, meaning of dreams. Functioning of the two halves of the human brain is related to the autonomic nervous and the immune systems. Shows how human behaviour is affected by primitive instincts.
      
Family, Sex and the Individual; Women's Liberation, Feminism and Community    This report investigates casual sex and its effects on individuals, family and community. It examines the role of the family in bringing up children and relates dominance and confrontation within the family to that in the working environment.
      
History Speaks: Monarchy, Exile and Maccabees    Major review and analysis of Jewish history, of King Solomon's reign and of the Maccabean dynasty, locating the causes of subsequent defeat of the people and loss of country. Covers Jewish belief and practice, social conditions and government.
      
Work and Pay: Summary    Concise summary review of whole subject of work and pay, in clear language. Covers pay, incomes and differentials and the interests and requirements of owners and employers, of the individual and his family, and of the community.
      
Exporting and Importing of Employment and Unemployment    Discusses exporting and importing of employment and unemployment, underlying principles, effect of trade, how to reduce unemployment, social costs of unemployment, community objectives, support for enterprises, socially irresponsible enterprise behaviour.
      
Directing and Managing Change    How to plan ahead, find best strategies, decide and implement, agree targets and objectives, monitor and control progress, evaluate performance, carry out appraisal and target-setting interviews. Describes proved, practical and effective techniques.
      
Style of Management and Leadership    Major review and analysis of the style of management and its effect on management effectiveness, decision taking and standard of living. Measures of style of management and government. Overcoming problems of size.
      
Motivation Summary    Reviews and summarises past work in Motivation. Provides a clear definition of 'motivation', of the factors which motivate and of what people are striving to achieve.
      
Using Words to Communicate Effectively    Shows how to communicate more effectively, covering aspects of thinking, writing, speaking and listening as well as formal and informal communications. Consists of guidelines found useful by university students and practising middle and senior managers.


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Notes <..>

<1>     Pentateuch, part of the Bible. Also called 'The Five Books of Moses' (namely Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Also called 'Torah'.
     
<2>   In {4} see section on 'The Social Cause-and-Effect Relationship'.
The Social Cause-and-Effect Relationship is also listed (in biblical language and in plain English) in Appendix 4 of {4}, with references to the Pentateuch text.
     
<3>   See {5} and {12}
     
<4>   In {5}, see Appendix 3: 'Adam' and Hebrew Grammar
     
<5>    I gratefully acknowledge the assistance I received from Esther Shouby without whose professional knowledge of Hebrew I might not have been able to explain the meaning of the ancient Hebrew texts.
     
<6>   In {5}, see Appendix 1: Names of God


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References {..} and Links  (https://www.solhaam.org/)

{ 1}    The God-given Human Rights, Social Laws and Social System
      
{ 2}    Genesis, Wellhausen and the Computer
Y. T. Radday, H. Shore, M. A. Pollatschek and D. Wickmann
Zeitschrift fuer die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
94. Band, Heft 4, 1982
Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York
      
{ 3}    A Commentary on the Book of Genesis.
Part 1: From Adam to Noah;
Part 2: From Noah to Abraham.
By U. Cassuto (1944)
Translated from the Hebrew by Israel Abrahams (1961)
The Magnes Press, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
      
{ 4}    Struggle for Freedom: The Social Cause-and-Effect Relationship
      
{ 5}    The Meaning of Genesis: Creation, Evolution and the Origin of Evil
      
{ 6}    Genesis' Secrets: Pre-flood Evils and the Social Problems of Our Time
      
{ 7}    Genesis: Differentiating Between Good and Evil
      
{ 8}    Genesis: Morality, Sexual Behaviour and Depravity
      
{ 9}    Genesis: Nephilim, Dominance and Liberty
      
{10}    Meaning and Significance of the Names of God in Genesis
      
{11}    Meaning and Intent of Genesis: Essential Notes on Hebrew Grammar
      
{12}    Bible Translations, Versions, Codes and Hidden Information in Bible and Talmud
      
{13}    Text, Language, Dialect and Interpretation of the Koran
      
{14}    Social Policies (Doctrine) of the Roman Catholic Church: An Evaluation
      
{15}    Social Concept (Policies) of the Russian Orthodox Church


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Relevant Subject Index Pages and Site Overview


The Site Overview page has links to all individual Subject Index Pages which between them list the works by Manfred Davidmann which are available on the Internet, with short descriptions and links for downloading.

To see the Site Overview page, click Overview

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