Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

William B Provine

Others are not so careful in their condemnation of Intelligent Design. Cornell’s William B. Provine has the sort of title that makes it difficult to fit a curriculum vitae onto a single sheet of paper. He is the Andrew H. and James S. Tisch Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of History, Science and Technology Studies, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. While in a debate with an ID proponent at Stanford University he said:

Let me summarize my views on what modern evolutionary biology tells us loud and clear. And I must say, that these are basically Darwin's views. There are no gods, no purposive forces of any kind. No life after death; when I die, I am absolutely certain that I'm going to be completely dead. That's just all - that's going to be the end of me. There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning in life, and no free will for humans either. (7)

Now, we should appreciate such a statement; for could there be a more profound example of what a leap of faith looks like. It is a senseless statement if we think it is anything else.