Evaluating the Claims of Evolution vs Creationism Introduction

I've been discussing Intelligent Design with Jorge Villalobos (aka minusfive) and he does not agree with me that there is a God or that Intelligent Design is a viable worldview. He also disagrees that Michael J. Behe is not a credible scientist and rejects his work. He has agree to a series of blog posts to interact. This is a beginning post to which to explain the parameters of this interaction to which I hope he will agree.

Intelligent Design is more than an alternative explanation opposed to Evolution. Intelligent Design also attempts to explain where everything comes from. Therefore it speaks to physics, chemistry, and biology. Evolution is generally considered to be a part of biology. So I suggest that we keep our discussion to how life has changed on earth and not worry about how it began this time. We can do origins later. Jorge, do you concur?

Here are some of the common assumptions that I think that we agree on.
1. There is a design in life we just disagree on how the design got there.
2. That given enough time questions about the mechanics of how life works will be answered. You, Jorge, just believe that macro evolution will be the ultimate answer.
3. We both agree that life on earth has not been constant, but has changed due lifeforms adapting to changing environments. We disagree that those changes lead to one life form to another such as a fish changing into amphibian.


More ground rules
1. A series of 4 weeks of posts, starting Wednesday September 2, 2009. Each cycle would be a week and you can post as many parts as you want. You can quote anyone and anything you want. You can post audio files and video files. Only rule about content is that it must be reference so that anyone can look up the resource themselves.
2. By September 9, 2009 we could post a positive presentation of our viewpoints without referring to the other side. Just what your conclusions are and the evidence for why you have come to those conclusions.
3. By September 16, 2009, we each post our rebuttals to the first week.
4. By September 23, 2009, we each post our rebuttals to the second week.
5. By September 30, 2009, we each post a concluding post .
6. We write with gentleness and respect for each other.

I suggest the the overall topic should be phrased as follows:
Evolution vs Intelligent Design - Which has the best Evidence?

Jorge, if you sgree to these termd please leave a comment here and the url to your blog or tweet the information.

Atheism is Dead: The Ultimate Anthropocentric Cosmology

Mario has post a great and humorous post about viewing the universe with profound self-centeredness.












Atheism is Dead: The Ultimate Anthropocentric Cosmology

On of the commenters posted a couple of great links to posts showing the immense size and majesty of the universe

Just a quick picture...
Hell Yeah, Hubble!

Disney Buys Marvel Comics

Image via Wikipedia

So far the biggest news that I heard today is the Disney is going to buy Marvel Comics in a deal that will cost $4 Billion. Shock! Awe!

I'm not sure if this going to be good or not. I should have seen it coming considering that almost every single animated series based

Image via CrunchBase

on Marvel Characters can now be seen on Disney XD (Toon Disney). Its been said that Disney wants to maximize its appeal to the 18-35 year-old male demographic. This should do it. I'm not concerned that Disney will "water-down" Marvel. It's important to remember that Disney owns Pixar, ABC, and Miramax and they managed to not mess them up. This could turn out to be good. Of course it also means that Disney will be in even more direct competition with Time-Warner that owns DC Comics.

Of course if the government says "no" this won't happen. I think that if such a merger will cause the lost of single job it should not go through.

Sources
Disney Buys Marvel: What The–?!
Disney Buying Marvel
Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment

The Censored Michael Behe Video Interview - Apologetics 315

On his Apologetics 315 blog, Brian has posted a great interview of Michael Behe by John McWhorter. It's real interesting. Behe is a biochemist and world renowned. He has written several book and research. He is on the cutting edge. McHorter admitted to being an atheist but found Behe's books persuasive enough to consider intelligent design. When I consider Behe's findings along with the rest of the evidence of living cells being complex mini machines on orders of magnitude more efficient than anything ever man-made, I've go to ask: "How does macro evolution account of that? It can't.

View on ExposureRoom

The Censored Michael Behe Video Interview - Apologetics 315

Preacher's Wife Warns of Adultery in the Pulpit

I have recently came across the following article talking about the problem in churches of clergy committing adultery with women in their congregation. The article points to the a book by Dr Betty Price called 'Warning to Ministers, Their Wives and Mistresses. I agree that it's a problem in many churches and God does not like it. It as a good article.

Preacher's Wife Warns of Adultery in the Pulpit

Of course such an article would list public examples of high profile clergy who have been caught with their pants down. This is where my problem came up. The article states that Jeremiah Wright cheated on his wife and it came out during the 2008 Presidential Election. I never heard that and I was paying attention. Wright was accused of having an affair with a white woman, Elizabeth Payne, in Dallas. She was a church worker for one of Wright's proteges. She was fired and her husband divorced her.

I'm not sure if this is true. It raises some flags for me.
1. Story does not seem to be mentioned before September 2008. And seem to have been used to try to discredit Wright and Obama.
2. It was not widely reported.
3. Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas Texas where Payne apparently worked is a black church (she is supposed to be white).
4. Her picture does not look real. It looks fake to me.



Either that or she's passing for white.

5. Her husband's, Fred Payne, statement: "People wouldn't be happy to know that my wife was sleeping with a black man," seems really loaded. If Jeremiah had have been white would they be more happy? Who would day that?
6. No other major national news organization seems to be carrying the story. One link I found had a link to a page on the Fox News site, but that link is now dead. Nothing on CNN.

I don't think the story is true. It just doesn't add up. I don't agree with Wright's Black Liberation Theology but why lie on the man?

Additional sources
Elizabeth Payne
Rev. Jeremiah Wright & Elizabeth Payne Sex Affair (Photos)
Chickens Roost on Reverend Wright's Penis
Elizabeth Payne Photo: Rev. Jeremiah Wright Sex Scandal Surfaces



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Iron Sharpens Iron: Joel Beeke: The life and Ministry of John Calvin (Encore Presentation)

Image via Wikipedia

This was a great program on Irons Sharpens Irons discussing the life and ministry of John Calvin. You can find a link below.


Iron Sharpens Iron: Joel Beeke: The life and Ministry of John Calvin (Encore Presentation)

Atheism is Dead: Atheist Quotes / Atheism Quotes

Here are some quotes posted by Mariano on his Atheism is Dead blog that should get one thinking.



Atheism is Dead: Atheist Quotes / Atheism Quotes

Truthbomb Apologetics: If Jesus was Not God then...by Let Us Reason Ministries

Chad hs posted a link to great article about Jesus and who He claims to be. This is a must see!

Truthbomb Apologetics: If Jesus was Not God then...by Let Us Reason Ministries

Sunday Quote: Jaraslov Pelikan on Jesus Christ - Apologetics 315

This is a great quote!!!!

Sunday Quote: Jaraslov Pelikan on Jesus Christ - Apologetics 315: "'Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of western culture for almost twenty centuries... It is from his birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by his name that millions curse and in his name that millions pray.'

- Jaraslov Pelikan"

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Jewish / Judaism : Will the Messiah Institute New Commandments?, part 7 of 7

Here is part 7 of Mariano's 7 part post discussing Jewish conception of what the Messiah is and how Jesus fits.

Christian Apologetics - Life and Doctrine: Jewish / Judaism : Will the Messiah Institute New Commandments?, part 7 of 7

Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Philosophy? by Ronald Nash

My brother-in-Christ, Mariano e-mailed me a link to this great article discussing the belief that that Greek myths and philosophies influence Christianity. Ronald Nash does an excellent job disproving this lie and even discusses the historical underpinnings of this fantasy.


Source:
Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Philosophy?
by Ronald Nash
from the Christian Research Journal, Fall 1993, page 16. The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller.

Arminianism's Depersonalization of the Gospel

Here is a video of Dr. James White lecturing on the problem that in Arminianism, the idea that God personally, and sovereignly chooses those elected by Him for salvation cannot be held consistently with the Arminian viewpoint.





This really well done!

Wife Shames Cheating Husband During Rush Hour

I guess there is no fury greater than a woman who is scorned. I think his wife had every reason to be angry. Forgiveness is very difficult and being cheated upon is a great betrayal.





Wife Shames Cheating Husband During Rush Hour

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Argument from the Existence of Human Intelligence - Apologetics 315

Argument from the Existence of Human Intelligence - Apologetics 315

Today, on the Apologetics 315 blog Brian defined:

An Argument from the Existence of Human Intelligence

Personally, I think it's a weighty argument. Check it out

Pevensie15 | AJ's Blog: Obama Psalm

I found the following on one of the blogs I follow. I tend to try to look at the positive about Obama as much as possible, but I've got to admit that the author of the Psalm (whoever he/she may be) makes some good points.

Pevensie15 | AJ's Blog: Obama Psalm: "PSALM 23:2008-2012

OBAMA IS MY SHEPHERD,

I SHALL WANT A DOCTOR.

HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL 

FACTORIES.


HE RESTORETH MY FAITH IN THE REPUBLICAN 

PARTY.
 HE GUIDETH ME IN THE PATH OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGHT THE 

VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF COMMUNISM.

I SHALL NOT FEAR.

OBAMA HAS ANOINTED MY INCOME WITH 

TAXES, MY EXPENSES RUNNETH OVER.

SURELY, POVERTY AND HARD LIVING WILL 

FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.(AND MY GRANDKIDS LIVES TOO.)
 AND WE SHALL LIVE FOREVER 

IN A GOVERNMENT SHACK.

(Disclaimer: I didn't write this, I received it in a forwarded email, just thought it was worth posting.)"

Is there a Connection Between Jesus and Xolotl?

Xolotl is another ancient myth that has been offered to me as a model stolen for Jesus in Christianity. I could have combined this post with one I did about Quetzalcoatl because they were supposedly twin brothers and connected. Given the assumption that they were virgin born does not mean that they were the source of Jesus' virgin birth story. Again Christianity would not have been in contact with the Aztecs until 1518 and the fact that Christians believe in Jesus' virgin birth had long been established by then. Then there is the problem that nothing else about Xolotl is anything like Jesus at all! Take a look at the link below.

Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xolotl

Anderson Cooper Rips Into Speidi

I just saw this article about Anderson Cooper being less than the objective journalist the way he ripped into Heidi Montag and her Miss Universe performance. Now, I'm not trying to defend Montag's performance but it's just that there was so much venom in Cooper's report that I had to check to make sure that it wasn't a report from Fox News! I mean I thought that CNN was the objective one for pete sake.

Cooper put the hard news on hold this week to dedicate two minutes to eviscerating Montag and her performance, starting off his rant with the following: "I don't really know who this person is, nor why she is pretending to be a singer nor why anyone should listen to her, but apparently she's famous."

He continued, saying that Montag is "so famous she actually Twitters.... And she Twittered to congratulate herself. She tweeted she had so much fun, and she also thanked God. I don't think God had anything to do with this production."

After a quick back-and-forth with a CNN contributor, Cooper hypothesized that "If God has the time to work on this production and that's the best God can do, we're all in trouble." When Cooper continued, saying he wasn't sure who Heidi even was, his counterpart informed him that "she's married that annoying Spencer Pratt." Ouch.

Anderson Cooper Rips Into Speidi

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Atheism is Dead: Richard Dawkins’ New Book – The Evolution Delusion

Mariano has humorously and logically debunked Richard Dawkins latest book on evolution. You should read this post!

Atheism is Dead: Richard Dawkins’ New Book – The Evolution Delusion

Truthbomb Apologetics: The Deity of Christ by Dr. Walter Martin

On his Truthbomb Apologetics blog, Chad, has posted an essay from the late Dr. Walter Martin in which 9 points are enumerated showing that the Bible teaches that Jesus is God. This got my attention because just a few hours ago my 3 year-old daughter told me "Jesus is God." I was so grateful that God had allowed me to hear from her that she has been paying attention!


Truthbomb Apologetics: The Deity of Christ by Dr. Walter Martin

A Refutation of Moral Relativism MP3 Audio by Peter Kreeft - Apologetics 315

This is an awesome lecture. Consider moral relativism utterly refuted!

A Refutation of Moral Relativism MP3 Audio by Peter Kreeft - Apologetics 315: "Philosopher Peter Kreeft presents a talk entitled: A refutation of moral relativism."

By The Book Comics: A hopefully humorous look at the Bible

I saw a tweet from Godlessgirl a few days ago with a link to a blog that attempts to use humor to show Christianity as silly and untenable. This particular post is makes the suggestion that the man whom the first Christians saw after Jesus' crucifixion but a case of mistaken identity. If the writer was not serious, I would have thought that this line of argument would be humorous. In reality it really is a joke. Unfortunately, it is a joke on the one who would accept such an argument. There is no way the Bible supports it. Go to the link at the end to see his cartoon.

The post's writer says the following:

Assuming there was ever a historic Jesus and that the Gospels were even loosely based on actual events (which I greatly doubt), I think there is a much simpler explanation. Maybe it wasn't him at all! Maybe the disciples didn't recognize him because it wasn't the same dude! Maybe they wanted so much to believe that he had risen, that they voted in a new Messiah.

"Sure, he looks different and walks with a limp, but he knows all the scriptures and what a great story this will make! He rose from the dead! Praise the Lord!"

What do you think?

Image via Wikipedia

Let's follow his line of reasoning to see if it make sense. He gives us that he is basing his argument on the idea that there was a historic Jesus and the Bible is loosely based on actual events. I will argue from the same points. The Bible does not in any way say that the person the disciples claimed to be Jesus, resurrected from the dead, looked different than the Jesus they knew or was crippled in anyway. The other thing none of the disciples thought that Jesus was going to rise again. They thought that it was over, although Jesus told them He was going to rise again.

Who has not had the experience of seeing the last person you expected to see and not immediately recognized them? I have and you know you have. The author appeals to three scriptures in an attempt to bolster his point.

John 20:14 And when she [Mary Magdalene] had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus was the last person she expected to see. Although Jesus said He was going to come back from the dead and said it more than once, she did not understand. She did not know it was Jesus. The verse does not say that it was not Jesus.

Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

I'm surprised that the author used this verse because Mark 16: 9-20 is most likely not originally a part of Mark, but added years later. The passage is not part of the earliest manuscripts! Therefore, I don't have to defend or explain verse 12. Verse 12 is not part of the inspired text as near as anyone can tell.

Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

Luke 24:16 tells us that the two disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus because it was kept from them on purpose at first. Also according to the Gospels, there are other cases where Jesus appeared after the resurrection and He was recognized immediately! Checkout Luke 24:33-49

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Why would they think it was a Ghost who appeared if they did not know it was Jesus who had died? They knew it was Jesus. I have two more examples. Look at what the angel said to the apostles when Jesus ascended to heaven.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." - Acts 1:10,11

Also look at Peter's first sermon is general and Acts 2: 29-36

"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." '

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Peter very clearly states the point of his sermon: the same Jesus who taught among them, performed miracles among them, was executed by them 40 days earlier, was resurrected physically!

By The Book Comics: A hopefully humorous look at the Bible

Bart Ehrman Interviewed on the "Problem of Evil"

Here is a video of a lecture Bart Ehrman discussing what the Bible says about human suffering. Follows is the video description from YouTube.

"Biblical Insights into the Problem of Suffering"

Bart D. Ehrman
Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes biblical scholar Bart Ehrman for a discussion of his intellectual odyssey with a focus on how the Bible explains the problem of human suffering. The conversation includes a discussion of the challenges of biblical interpretation when confronting this age old problem of the human condition. Included are topics such as the contribution of the prophets, a comparison of the old and new testaments, the book of Job, and the emergence of apocalyptic writers.
Recorded April 17, 2008

After listening to the lecture, I wonder if Ehrman understood scripture the same way before He gave up being a Christian. For example I have heard others take his viewpoint on the Book of Job, Daniel, and Ecclesiastes. Not all scholars agree with Ehrman. Concerning Job, God did not make a wager with the Devil. Instead of answering him point-by-point, I enjoyed Dr. James White's rebuttal of Ehrman's book discussing human suffering in particular and Ehrman's conclusions in general.

Terminology Tuesday: Contingency - Apologetics 315

This week Brian defined "Contingency" on Apologetics 315!

Terminology Tuesday: Contingency - Apologetics 315

Just My Two Cents: A Conversation With Jesus

I just got a link from twitter via cherokee_autumn. The post is a pretend conversation with Jesus over the phone. The point seems to be against those who are against health care reform but the writer also takes the opportunity to make potshots against Jesus and Christianity. The politics expressed cause no problems for me because I agree that it is wrong not to help people who do not have health care. I have issue with the comments made about the Bible and the equating of final judgment of sin with "death panels". I'm sure the author would agree that "death panels" are no where in Obama's Medical Reform plan, but it should also be said that they are not in the Bible either.
Here are some quotes from the post and my comments.

Jesus: Well, you see I had these 12 guys I was hanging out with when I was there. I thought they had learned my teachings well enough to put it on paper myself. We didn't plan on them inserting their thoughts and miscalculations into the Word of God. We still let these guys into heaven when they died, but they don't get full privileges here.

I'd like to see some proof that the New Testament writers inserted their own thought and miscalculations. This is an unfounded assertion and not something Jesus would say, given what He is recorded to have said. In order that Jesus' apostles messed up, I would like to see examples of the writers putting falsifiable lies and contradicting each other. It can't be provided because there are no examples

Me: Rumor has it that when you were here last time that you cured the sick and raised people from the dead. How much did you profit from doing that?

Jesus: You don't make a profit for that sort of thing. A true Christian wants to hang out with healthy people and help those who aren't healthy back to health. Christians want to take care of each other and not profit off the misfortunes of others.

Me: We have an entire industry here dedicated to profiting off of the misfortunes of others though. What do you think of that?

Jesus: We have a special place for them when they pass on. Let's just say they'll never need a winter coat and leave it like that.

Now on this point, we mostly agree. Jesus would not condone making profit off the misfortune of others. He preached against such evil taking place when He was ministering on person. He hang out with the sick, the destitute, and the people who needed help. As Christians we are supposed to do the same thing. I admit that we can all do better following the examples Jesus lived, but that doesn't make Jesus' teachings any less true. Look at what the Master said and did:

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." - Matthew 9:11-13

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Luke 7:21-23

Here is the quotes from the post equating the imaginary "death panels" with final judgement in heaven.

Me: We've been debating health care reform down here lately. We've got loony tunes on the right lying and deceiving the public about it. We've got politicians talking about imaginary death panels, scaring our older citizens. Any thoughts on that?

Jesus: Just one. There is definitely a death panel. Make no mistake about that. And when these lying, deceiving, and pathetic scare mongers do die I'm at the head of the death panel. I decide on everlasting life, and you can count them out.

Me: So have you seen those domestic terrorists carrying guns around town hall meetings trying to intimidate people on health care reform?

Jesus: Definitely. Honestly, you've got to put a halt to those things. You've got the right party in control now, just get it done. What you people don't understand is how angry my Dad got the first time he saw a spawn of Satan armed at one of those. It took all of my persuasive power to talk him out of sending a bolt of lightening down there to tickle that idiot's ass. I try now to keep Dad preoccupied with other matters whenever a town hall is scheduled now.

Me: So, another example of people who don't need to pack for cold weather when they die, huh?

Jesus: No, definitely going to be plenty warm where people like that are heading. Listen, I have to run. I'm about ready to convene another death panel here myself and it looks like there's quite a crowd to judge today. We'll chat again some day.

There is no doubt in my mind that we should stand against those who are lying about the "death panels". I think that we should recognize that we are already at that point. This is why reform is needed. We are already at the point that a panel sits around in an insurance company and decides what medical procedures they will pay for and what they will not. I know of no better example of a death panel. If you have money, you get the best medical care. If you don't have money they will let you die. We are already there. I don't think for a second that is pleasing to God.

As for who is going to hell, I do think that those who are pushing these evil things are wrong and will be punished. Jesus' final judgment is like a death panel where your works and actions and worth are judged and if you measure up you live. No. Judgment has already been rendered and falls on all of us. None of us deserve life. It's a gift from God. .

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:22-26

If you were really to have a conversation with Jesus He would say:

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." - John 14:5-7

Just My Two Cents: A Conversation With Jesus

CELEBRITY NEWS AND PICTURE WORLD...........: Muslim model becomes first woman in Malaysia to be caned after being caught drinking a beer

I agree that if people would give up drinking alcohol in excess would solve a lot of social, economic, and medical problems in society, but I think punishing a grown woman for drinking beer is a little much.

A Muslim part-time model will become the first woman to be caned in Malaysia after pleading guilty to drinking beer, a prosecutor said today.

An Islamic court ordered that Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, be lashed six times with a rattan cane after she was caught drinking alcohol in a raid on a hotel night club in eastern Pahang state last year.

Prosecutor Saiful Idham Sahimi said Kartika will be the first woman to be caned under Islamic law after she chose not to appeal the sentence.

He said: 'This is the first case in Malaysia. ... It is a good punishment because under Islamic law a person who drinks commits a serious offense.'

Yesterday the court set a one-week period starting next Monday for the sentence to be carried out in a woman's prison, Saiful said. Prison authorities will decide when to cane her during that period.

He said Kartika will remain in prison during that time and will be released 'as soon as possible' after the caning is carried out.

Saiful said the rattan cane to be used on Kartika would be lighter than the one used on men, and its purpose was to 'educate' rather than punish.

Caning, administered on the buttocks, breaks the skin and leaves permanent scars. Kartika said earlier that she wanted authorities to cane her as soon as possible so she can resume her life with her husband and children.

Some politicians and women's rights activists have criticized the penalty as too harsh.

Muslims, who make up about two-thirds of Malaysia's 28 million people, are governed by Islamic courts in all civilian and Islamic matters.

Most alcohol offenders are fined, but the crime also carries a three-year prison term and caning.

Non-Muslims are governed by civil courts, which also impose caning for offenses such as rape and corruption. Men over 50, women and children are exempt under civil law.

A Muslim man and woman were also arrested during a series of raids in Cherating, a beach town in Pahang state, on the night when Kartika was arrested.

Both were also sentenced to caning, but have appealed.

Malaysian clubs and lounges typically serve alcohol and are not legally required to check if customers are Muslims before serving them.

CELEBRITY NEWS AND PICTURE WORLD...........: Muslim model becomes first woman in Malaysia to be caned after being caught drinking a beer