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John Corrigan "Jonathan" Wells (born 1942) is an American molecular biologist, author and advocate of intelligent design. Wells joined the Unification Church in 1974, and subsequently wrote that the teachings of church founder Sun Myung Moon, his own studies at the Unification Theological Seminary and his prayers convinced him to devote his life to "destroying Darwinism." The term ''Darwinism'' is often used by intelligent design proponents to refer to the scientific consensus on evolution.〔 Quoted in ("Rebuttal to Reports by Opposing Expert Witnesses" ) (PDF) by William A. Dembski (May 14, 2005).〕 He gained a PhD in religious studies at Yale University in 1986, then became Director of the Unification Church’s inter-religious outreach organization in New York City. In 1989, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a PhD in molecular and cellular biology in 1994. He became a member of several scientific associations and has published in academic journals. In his book ''Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?'' (2000), Wells argues that a number of examples used to illustrate biology textbooks were grossly exaggerated, distorted truth, or were patently false. Wells said that this shows that evolution conflicts with the evidence, and so argued against its teaching in public education.〔 Some reviewers of ''Icons of Evolution'' have said that Wells misquoted experts cited as sources and took minor issues out of context, basing his argument on a flawed syllogism.〔〔 Wells's views on evolution have been rejected by the scientific community.〔 ==Biography== Wells was born in New York City in 1942 and grew up in New Jersey, and was brought up as a Protestant Christian. He studied geology at Princeton University, where he dropped out in his junior year. Following a brief stint as a taxi driver, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent two years serving in Germany. After his discharge in 1966, he attended University of California, Berkeley, where he publicly refused to report for reserve duty. This resulted in him being arrested and being incarcerated for eighteen months at the Leavenworth military prison. Upon his release, Wells returned to Berkeley where he completed his studies with a major in geology and physics and a minor in biology. In 1974, Wells joined the Unification Church of the United States.〔Cashill 2005, p. 174〕 He graduated from the church's Unification Theological Seminary in 1978 with a master's degree in religious education. Wells continued his studies at Yale University, earning a PhD in religious studies in 1986, focusing on historical reactions to Darwinism.〔Numbers 2006, p. 381〕 During this time he wrote extensively on Unification theology and taught at the Unification Theological Seminary.〔 Wells was on the Board of Trustees of the Unification Theological Seminary until resigning in 1997 to return to teaching. He also acted as the director of the International Religious Foundation, a Unification Church affiliated organization which sponsors interdenominational conferences. Wells has written on the subject of marriage within the Unification Church and has been called a "Unification Church marriage expert" by church sources. Wells defended Unification Church theology against what he said were unfair criticisms made in 1977 by the National Council of Churches.〔 In 1994, Wells earned another PhD in molecular and cellular biology at UC Berkeley.〔 After receiving his doctorate, he worked at a position he described as "a post-doctoral research biologist at Berkeley, writing articles critical of Darwinism."〔 Shortly after that Wells joined former UC Berkeley law professor Phillip E. Johnson, father of the intelligent design movement, at the Discovery Institute.〔 He now serves as a fellow at the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, the hub of the intelligent design movement, and at the International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design, which also promotes intelligent design. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jonathan Wells (intelligent design advocate)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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