Intelligent Design the Future

I listen to this podcast at least once a week and I love it! But my biggest complaint is the sound quality of the microphones. I understand the guests aren’t obligated to have nice mics, but I would love it if the hosts invested in some better equipment. Much love ❤️

I listened to the Aug 5 podcast with Richard Weikart regarding his book Unnatural Death: Medicine’s Descent from Healing to Killing. The podcast is critical of physician assisted suicided and strongly misrepresents the reasons people choose this option and the process involved. This podcast make it seem like anyone can request a “pill” from a physician to die, when in fact there are very strict laws about who meets criteria - someone with a terminal illness (they are already nearing end of life), has the capacity to make the decision, and the ability to ingest the medications (not one pill but many). The process requires evaluations by an entire interdisciplinary team including mental health, palliative care, primary care, etc. Weikart explains that people choose assisted suicide because they don’t want to be a burden or lack of family support rather than due to pain. Concern about being a burden at end of life is near universal and is not unique to those who choose assisted suicide. Additionally, suffering can exist without pain. So, while some people at the end of their lives make this choice to end pain, others may make it to stop the suffering associated with air hunger from not being able to breathe or the certainty of impending paralysis from neurodegenerative disorders. To say that assisted suicide is given to people without social support is not factual. To get through the eligibility process requires significant social support. Take care with this information. You are definitely not getting a balanced and complete picture of “medicine’s descent.”

The arguments given in most episodes are unconvincing and easily refuted. Many do not even withstand basic logical scrutiny. The only reason I can discern how these “arguments” may seem compelling to anyone is simply confirmation bias — the “arguments” are supporting a claim they already want to believe. Intelligent design IS a compelling theory. Unfortunately this podcast provides it with poor representation.

Years ago, reading a mainstream scientific magazine, I finally reached my limit of all the Kiplingesque explanations of how macro evolution worked. With a bit of trepidation, I began reading the works of intelligent design proponents. Like many others since, the immersion into actual scientific evidence was a new joy. For years, I sought to understand the rationale behind criticism but now realize how lightweight it is.