School textbook spouts global warming myths.
School textbook spouts global warming myths.
New Jersey high school senior Matthew LaClair has exposed the American Government textbook, written by conservative ideologues James Q. Wilson and John DiIulio Jr., for promoting climate-denier myths. The Associated Press reports:
The edition of the textbook published in 2005, which is in high school classrooms now, states that “science doesn’t know whether we are experiencing a dangerous level of global warming or how bad the greenhouse effect is, if it exists at all.”
A newer edition published late last year was changed to say, “Science doesn’t know how bad the greenhouse effect is.”
The authors kept a phrase stating that global warming is “enmeshed in scientific uncertainty.”
The Wonk Room has more, including extended excerpts from American Government. Friendly Atheist discusses more of the book’s right-wing distortions and lies.
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science doesn’t know whether we are experiencing a dangerous level of global warming or how bad the greenhouse effect is, if it exists at all.”
And the book continues,… for the entire geologic history of all 6,000 years, the planet has undergone many temperature fluctuations…
April 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm“science doesn’t know whether we are experiencing a dangerous level of global warming or how bad the greenhouse effect is, if it exists at all.”
I note that they at least changed a blatant lie. Science does indeed know that the greenhouse effect exists; it’s responsible for our planet’s ability to retain heat.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pmAll of these bogus science textbooks should be gathered up and housed in the GDumbya Presi-dunce-tial Lieberry. It would be very fitting. After all, the lieberry will be the most important monument to stupidity that our country has ever seen.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pmSound like the right side wants the next generation to be as stupid and uneducated as they presently are. No need for school, no need for facts. just tune into limbaugh and that is all the lernin’ you will ever need. And remember: hate everybody except for white, wealthy men.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pmI wonder what this textbook has to say about all the hot hail that’s falling in Kansas right now…
April 9th, 2008 at 4:36 pmNeoCons corrupting government, corrupting minds.
Facts, we don’t need no stinking facts.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pmDon’t overlook the obvious question: why is a Government textbook evaluating scientific theory at all? Does the publisher offer a companion Chemistry text offering an opinion on the separation of powers?
April 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pmQuick - give the children some abstinence-only sex education to go with their faith-based science education!
April 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pmNew Jersey high school senior Matthew LaClair
JERSEY REPRESENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pmIt seems surreal that the last, gasp 20%r’s are looking to corrupt the next generation of students. All of their political aspirations have been dashed. Their glorious war of liberation is busted. Their tax code is abysmal, treasury bankrupt, global warming is upon us, country divided as never before. Yep, sounds like a job well done. Why not put that failed strategy to good use? Why do we allow the bottom feeders to drive the country’s agenda?
April 9th, 2008 at 4:41 pmno wonder why america is full of ignorant retards…
books + republican = LIES
April 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pmStratRat Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Sound like the right side wants the next generation to be as stupid and uneducated as they presently are.
Didn’t you get the memo, StratRat? They’ve already called a “Mission Accompolished” on this one thanks to NCLB ;)
April 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm“Some scientists believe global warming will actually decrease — not increase — the number of hurricanes that form over the Atlantic Ocean each year.”
So towelieskull’s article tacitly admits the condition but simple wonders upon the outcome of the acknowledged condition.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pmtowelieskull Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
“We’re brainwashing our children” about global warming Nice little article in USA Today about this Text book problem
____
Actually that article has nothing to do with this textbook. It’s just the opinions of a couple of two-bit weathermen on the scientific validity of climate change.
Which is about as valid as the opinions of a makeup artist on whether that spot on your neck is cancerous.
I’lm gonna side with the scientists on this one.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:51 pm“I do agree global warming’s real, and manmade causes contribute to it”
Another interesting tidbit from said article
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pmIf you think that’s scary, take a look at a “Christian science” text book.
For example, Biology for Christian Schools declares on the very first page that:
(1) “‘Whatever the Bible says is so; whatever man says may or may not be so,’ is the only [position] a Christian can take . . . .”
(2) “If [scientific] conclusions contradict the Word of God, the conclusions are wrong, no matter how many scientific facts may appear to back them.”
(3) “Christians must disregard [scientific hypotheses or theories] that contradict the Bible.”
Institutionalized ignorance is the tool of the powerful. An educated populace is their greatest fear.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pmdbadass Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
So towelieskull’s article tacitly admits the condition but simple wonders upon the outcome of the acknowledged condition.
_____
Which is true. Climate scientists are still divided on how climate change will affect hurricane formation and tracks in the North Atlantic. It mainly depends on how the Gulf Stream shifts.
What they don’t disagree on is that the probability of more and more powerful hurricanes globally is going to be raised by an overall increase in temperature and atmospheric instability.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:55 pmtowelieskull Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
The Textbook is not denying global warming existence. I think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
It would be responsible of the publishers not to mention the issue at all, given that it’s a textbook on government.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pmtowelieskull Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
The Textbook is not denying global warming existence. I think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
But you’re okay with the promoting of climate-denier myths ?
April 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pmThe World is seeing climate changes and the good thing is that some people are doing someting about it. We have the technologies to solve the climate crisis and the good new is that we can solve it together. The WE Project founded by Al Gore is very important. I have some remarks about this project in my own writtings and research.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pmtowelieskull Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
The Textbook is not denying global warming existence. I think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
_____
No - it’s the opposite of responsible. It’s playing dice not just with our own children, but with future generations. It’s gambling their future on the very very very miniscule chance that all the science is wrong. That’s what I call IRresponsible.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pmWhen ideology trumps science, everybody suffers.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:59 pmas to truthiness in textbooks generally, i recommend “Lies my Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong” by Dr. James W. Loewen. It’s a bit dated, but if you’re interested in how close we get to *real* history when we read history in high school, it’s an eye-opener.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pmtowelieskull Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
The Textbook is not denying global warming existence. I think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
—–
Are you okay with them assuming and projecting ideas about same sex marriage, prayer in the schools, etc?
April 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm“As people do better, they start voting like Republicans — unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing.” — Karl Rove
2nd Most dangerous Organization in America: Universities and Colleges — Family Security Matters
Defining Characteristics of Fascism: No. 11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia.
Makes perfect sense to me.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:03 pmgummitch Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
It would be responsible of the publishers not to mention the issue at all, given that it’s a textbook on government.
_____
Well, it does fit in the context of “important issues of the day.” I’d expect a textbook on government to talk — broadly and in a neutral fashion — about the issues involved in foreign policy and health care and economics and the environment.
What this particular book does is pretend to be neutral while actually displaying “conflict bias.” Because one in two hundred scientists disagrees with perhaps one aspect of the scientific consensus on climate change, they inflate that one scientist’s disagreement to “balance out” the other 199 scientists. Peppering the text with nice little buzzwords like “alarmism.”
April 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pmReported Towelie for his racist handle, you guys do the same.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pmI think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
Better stop teaching about black holes and quantum physics.
GOP = Party of Knuckle-Draggers
April 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pmReported Towelie for his racist handle, you guys do the same.
Been done, to no avail. TP is asleep at the wheel.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pmHowza bout the authors debunking the ‘theory’ of gravity by jumping off a tall building.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:08 pmDieNowForPeace Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I think it’s very responsible of the publishers to not assume and project a scientific hypothesis
Better stop teaching about black holes and quantum physics.
GOP = Party of Knuckle-Draggers
I suppose Einstein’s Theory of Relativity should now be dropped as well as telling all nuclear weapons they aren’t allowed to work , too…………
April 9th, 2008 at 5:08 pmBuckie Boy Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Reported Towelie for his racist handle, you guys do the same.
Racist? I thought it was just a South Park reference.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pmToasterhead - it is a reference to Towelhead, (he used skull instead).
April 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pmpete Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
If you think that’s scary, take a look at a “Christian science” text book.
For example, Biology for Christian Schools declares on the very first page that:
—-
Thanks for this. I intend to order several copies of this to allow my students to draw their own conclusions. Having taught biology for many years I know that I need not even consider influencing their thinking. They are very adept at calling bullshit when they see it
April 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pmBuckie Boy Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Toasterhead - it is a reference to Towelhead, (he used skull instead).
Check the link in the name; this is just one of our regular trolls.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pmWhy is it that the tight assed, southern contingent is always looked upon to provide our right side presidential candidates? I’m not dis-respecting the ’south’ per se, but why is it that a person needs to be from south of the Mason-Dixon line to qualify as a ’serious’ contender?
The south should not be looked to as a bellweather location for the ’sense of the country’. That area of our country has more divorces, more crime, more out of wedlock births, fewer high school grads, less education, more religous intolerance, more bigoty and racism, lower standard of living, lower incomes, higher poverty, higher pollution, etc…
This type of ‘progress’ is not something we should emulate.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pmdbadass Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for this.
You’re welcome DB. Here’s the link to the article I lifted it from.
http://www.daylightatheism.org/ 2008/ 04/ update-on-the-uc-calvary-lawsuit.html
April 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pmHmmmm. The Catholic Church dominated the Middle Ages by keeping the population ignorant.
Now the Evangelicals are doing the same - with the help of FUX Newts (the Voice of American Crazy), of course.
An ignorant populace is oh-so-easily manipulated.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pmThe same textbook pisses and moans that we can’t have prayer in schools.
Poor Jesus, how can the coffers be filled if the freaks can’t proselytize in school rooms?
April 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pmPoor Jesus, how can the coffers be filled if the freaks can’t proselytize in school rooms?
Guilt, shame, the usual stuff the priests and nuns have been using for decades…
April 9th, 2008 at 5:28 pm“Big Science”??? Is this a new reich-wing code word?
April 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
“Big Science”??? Is this a new reich-wing code word?
Yep…To them, size does matter: big debts, big losses, big cronyism, big corruption, big pillage, big oversight avoidance, big body counts, big, big, big…
April 9th, 2008 at 5:39 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
“Big Science”??? Is this a new reich-wing code word?
http://www.evolutionnews.org/
has taken to using the phrase “Big Science,” especially when they refer to the movie “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.”
http://www.expelledthemovie.com/
I assume the movie uses the phrase to refer to those who keep the scientific - read neoDarwinism - orthodoxy.
The keepers of the neoDarwinism orthodoxy know the research money will only keep flowing when the research supports the current beliefs.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pmYeah. We li’l folks need to resist “Big Science” with its amoral pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancements.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
The keepers of the neoDarwinism orthodoxy know the research money will only keep flowing when the research supports the current beliefs.
bitblt is still stuck in the 16th Century.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pmBig Science as opposed to what? Small science? In BushWorld, there is “no science”. He’s driven all of our best scientists out of the country. He doesn’t have enough synaptic activity to even begin to comprehend science, or math, or anything of a reasonable amount of logic. I’d say that Bush’s brain is now totally and irrevocably “fried”.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:48 pmSure, when the research supports the current propaganda and neonazi reichwing lockstep “spin”! Just like we’re discovering in Big Pharma, 8 of 9 panel members deciding that Vytorin was safe and effective (when it’s producing unprecedented memory loss resembling alzheimer’s!) had financial ties to the drug companies themselves.
Twisted science without anything orthodox about it!
April 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pmL. Hussein Annie Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hmmmm. The Catholic Church dominated the Middle Ages by keeping the population ignorant.
Now the Evangelicals are doing the same - with the help of FUX Newts (the Voice of American Crazy), of course.
An ignorant populace is oh-so-easily manipulated.
Wow! I’m an Evangelical, and this doesn’t describe any Evangelical I know. Among the ones with whom I associate, education is hugely important.
OTH, the Evangelicals I know also know how to interpret the importance of scientific information. For instance, it’s widely known that the Earth is not the center of the universe, but this information is only important for seventh graders, who might be asked the information on a test, and for those working in celestial mechanics - NASA people primarily. To everyone else this “information” is totally irrelevant. Most people, in their daily lives, interpret themselves to be the center of the universe as one would expect.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pmwho the heck is this troll named bitblt? Big words but hasn’t a clue about what they mean.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm“Science” doesn’t know anything. People know things through science. At the very least, through science, people can know one set of facts is more likely than another set of facts. That’s it.
But, here is another example of textbook shenanigans.
http://scienceblogs.com/ dispatches/ 2008/ 04/ religious_right_propaganda_in.php
April 9th, 2008 at 5:53 pmbitblt: You stand corrected - it’s not the people who interpret themselves to be the center of the universe, it’s YOU and YOU alone! Your ego is quite obviously run amok!
April 9th, 2008 at 5:53 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
The keepers of the neoDarwinism orthodoxy know the research money will only keep flowing when the research supports the current beliefs.
_____
Ahhh. See here’s the problem with conservatives in a nutshell. They think that everybody in the world behaves like them. They simply cannot fathom that someone would cure cancer or save the planet for any reason other than money.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pmCan you imagine the degree of damage control and revision of history that will be hurriedly taking place when this baboon exits the white house? Nothing wholesome can be added to any description of what this man has done in 7 l/2 years.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
OTH, the Evangelicals I know also know how to interpret the importance of scientific information. For instance, it’s widely known that the Earth is not the center of the universe, but this information is only important for seventh graders, who might be asked the information on a test, and for those working in celestial mechanics - NASA people primarily. To everyone else this “information” is totally irrelevant. Most people, in their daily lives, interpret themselves to be the center of the universe as one would expect.
Most people in your world, bitblt — which is exactly what was being said about Evangelicals in general. That sort of utterly self-centered life you lead is precisely the problem.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pmForgot to mention that it’s funny that they say “if it exists at all,” referring to the greenhouse effect. If it didn’t exist, we’d be about a tad warmer than Mars. The Earth would be an iceball.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pmhussein toasterhead: Yes, Bitblt outs himself once again! How facile - what easy prey this pedestrian troll is. Once again showing us what he believes as he attributes it to the majority of “the people”.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pmAlejandro: I guess they didn’t see the news last week where a chunk larger than Manhattan broke away and melted in the Arctic?
April 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pmcerberus Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
who the heck is this troll named bitblt? Big words but hasn’t a clue about what they mean.
_____
I think you just answered your own question…
April 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pmcerberus Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
who the heck is this troll named bitblt? Big words but hasn’t a clue about what they mean.
It’s a semi-regular troll. I’m impressed that you summed up its character on only a first encounter.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Most people, in their daily lives, interpret themselves to be the center of the universe as one would expect.
—–
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pmWhich could explain why they have little need for an imagined force directing any aspect of their existence.
hussein toasterhead Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Ahhh. See here’s the problem with conservatives in a nutshell. They think that everybody in the world behaves like them. They simply cannot fathom that someone would cure cancer or save the planet for any reason other than money.
“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is not about curing cancer. It’s about the influence of neoDarwinsim orthodoxy.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pmWow! I’m an Evangelical, and this doesn’t describe any Evangelical I know. Among the ones with whom I associate, religious education and indoctrination is hugely important.
Fixed it for you.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm“neoDarwin Orthodoxy”? Is that a right-wing screech word for “accepting scientifically tested hypotheses as part of a useful body of knowledge”?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is not about curing cancer. It’s about the influence of neoDarwinsim orthodoxy.
—-
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmBy the title this sounds “holy” unbiased. GOT AGENDA?
The cooling experienced since 1998 should have this thing enmeshed in scientific uncertainties. Uncertainties such as why havn’t the models predicted something that actually exists in the real world?
And the modelers have REFUSED to allow their models to be tested to actual real world forcasts and have REFUSED to recognize the ancient and sacred principle of falsifiability.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmThese things happen. Now, through the wonder of satellite technology, we can watch them happen in real time. Science is cool.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmWhen did the Bible Belt stretch into New Jersey?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:02 pmAs a New Jersey native I’m dismayed that this twaddle could be slipped into our education system.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is not about curing cancer. It’s about the influence of neoDarwinsim orthodoxy.
It’s a propaganda piece for the religious doctrine of “Intelligent Design”. Pretty funny to hear the Religious Right whining about orthodoxy.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pmThere is no point discussing global climate change with the ditto heads, better know as trolls. If you are inclined to discuss this with somebody, other than the regular posters here, grab your cat, dog, hamster or newt, look him in the eyes and explain the seriousness of the issue. I’m sure based on your body language he will grasp the concept better than any of our trolls will be able to.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:04 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
To everyone else this “information” is totally irrelevant. Most people, in their daily lives, interpret themselves to be the center of the universe as one would expect.
____
Aaaand that’s exactly where you’re wrong.
When people believe themselves to be the center of the universe, they naturally believe that the universe and everything in it is theirs to do whatever they want with. They feel a divine mandate to go forth and multiply in this world that they believe was created for them. And they don’t just multiply - they pollute and destroy and slash and burn because what’s most important is self-gratification.
On the other hand, when people realize that they are on a tiny speck of matter circling a small star that’s 24 trillion miles away from the nearest neighboring star in a local group of stars on an arm of a galaxy that’s somewhere on the edge of a centerless universe, it’s rather humbling. They realize that there’s no planet even close to here that could sustain life. They realize that they’d better take care of the planet they’re on.
So our place in the universe is actually a bit important.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pmSay you are a braindead Evangelical, like our trolls, wouldn’t it still be wiser to error on the safe side and make changes in case it turns out to be true. Did I use “wiser” and “trolls” in the same sentence, my bad.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pmSouthern Man Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
It’s the people teaching a one sided view to young people in many of these institutions. The hostility is aimed at the teachers, not the institutions.
_——
You should see all the one sided bullshit that is being taught about the US’s righteousness in the Middle East and on the global stage in general. I can not believe people are not up in arms seeking more balance. The social studies department at the school I work at have told the children that the US is totally in the right on this one. Where’s the balance? They are not allowed to mention any other version of 911 then the party line. What’s up with that?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:08 pmjmklein Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
The cooling experienced since 1998 should have this thing enmeshed in scientific uncertainties. Uncertainties such as why havn’t the models predicted something that actually exists in the real world?
And the modelers have REFUSED to allow their models to be tested to actual real world forcasts and have REFUSED to recognize the ancient and sacred principle of falsifiability.
The models have been tested to real world forecasts and they have done quite well, in fact:
http://www.eurekalert.org/ pub_releases/ 2008-04/ uou-mlg040208.php
April 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pmbitblt Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is not about curing cancer. It’s about the influence of neoDarwinsim orthodoxy.
_____
Ohhh neoDarwinsim Orthodoxy. I see. Is that like Islamofascism? Another made-up word you people use to describe something too complex for you to understand?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:11 pmThe fact is, SM, the people who go into education don’t go into it because they’re pushing some agenda. They certainly don’t go into to it for the big bucks. They generally go into it because they care about students and they care about wisdom — they care about language, or math, or the arts, or sociology, whatever. What does it tell you that most of these highly educated people tend toward the liberal side of the political spectrum?
I noted a couple of sound bites that betrayed a disdain for intellectuals. You included them in your quote. It’s not a problem to dig up hundreds more. How many do you want?
You say “the hostility is aimed at the teachers, not the institutions”, huh? Then perhaps Family Security Matters could have made that distinction cleaer when it named “colleges and universities” the 2nd most dangerous organization in America.
That, to me, shows a pretty strong “disdain for intellectuals”. Not to you?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pmThen of course there is the group of evangelicons who, notoriously, home “school” their children to “protect” them from “worldly knowledge”. These same evangelicons, doubtless because it’s hard to educate a child when one is utterly clueless about so much, would rather just remove science from public schools altogether. But? The joke’s on them.
Children want knowledge. And even those who are thoroughly indoctrinated will find things out that their ignorant parents can’t explain away. Things like radiometric dating, celestial mechanics, evolutionary science (Dawinism is a term created by fundies in a vain attempt to equate evolutionary science to their primitive, superstitious, creationism.), genetics and climatology; just to name a few.
Kids will learn. They will learn that the polar bears are dying. They will learn that island nations are “sinking”. They will learn that, seemingly stable, weather patterns are changing. They will learn that we, humans, are on our own with all the responsibilities that implies.
But, most important of all, they will learn that knowledge always triumphs over ignorance. Then they will use that knowledge to build the best life they can. One can only hope that ignorant savages don’t break things, beyond repair, before they get the chance.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:15 pmLet’s face it - once you get folks to believe that sticks can turn into snakes and that ghost can impregnate virgins, you can get them to believe pretty much anything except the truth.
Correct, bitblt?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:16 pmThere’s an excellent response to the Creationism/ID promoters here.
Among the listed hoaxes from the ID movement:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pmonce you get folks to believe that sticks can turn into snakes and that ghost can impregnate virgins,
LOL!
Yes, fiction is sometimes comical.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:19 pmLittle Freep Goofballs Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
—-
I am sort of partial to the dirt and ribs myself. And that stuff about two of each kind of animal… Priceless!
April 9th, 2008 at 6:20 pmdbadass:
Every time a believer tried to convert me, I would always ask “How many mules did Noah take on the ark?”
If they answered “Two”, I responded “Mules don’t reproduce, so Noah had no reason to take them.”
If they answered “None”, I responded “Then Noah didn’t take two of every animal.”
No exploding heads, but close…
April 9th, 2008 at 6:30 pmSouthern Man Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Do you understand the irony inherent in someone like yourself who has displayed unintended hilarity and zaniness in defending/excuse making for a group of liars and incompetents who are the very image of what you laughably accuse liberals/progressives of in “not wanting to hear dissent” ?
April 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pmSo, bitblot, what’s your point - besides a useless spate of meaningless gabble?
And for the record, I do not believe for one tiny moment that I am the “center of the universe.” So please leave me out of your absurd generalizations.
Why is it that you reichwingers always tell us that we “can’t possibly disagree” or we “all know x and y”…?
And — who the hell decided that you get to speak for all of us, reichwingers? You don’t speak for all of us - not even close.
You speak for the lunatic fringe 19%ers - and that’s it.
The other 81% of us are a little more sane and reasonable.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:35 pmThen,of course, there are the serial liars pushing “intelligent design”. Ken Ham, AIG, and (tax criminal) Kent Hovind leap to mind. These POSes blatantly lie.
“There are no transitional forms”, they say.
“What about the platypus, which is a primitive mammal possessing reptilian traits”?
“That’s not what we mean”, they say.
“Bacterial flagella are irreducibly complex”, they say.
“Actually, there are innumerable variations with different functions and levels of complexity”.
“God did it”, they say.
No. These people are afraid of science. They are afraid to give up their myths. They are afraid to take responsibility. They are afraid their children will be wiser than themselves. And they are utterly terrified to admit that the universe, and everything in it, is constantly changing. That from one second to the next a unique condition will exist which will never be duplicated. They are afraid they will grow, grow old, and die.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pmThey are simple minded fools who waste their existence as willing slaves to a fallacy.
Pete, it’s ok that they get old and die. It’s our job to keep the freaks from passing along the mutation that causes them to believe in mythical saviors. The best way to make sure that happens is to expose the kids to logic and reasoning. That stuff is kryptonite to fundamentalists.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pmpete Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pmApril 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
—-
You may find this interesting.
Some years back I invited a local memeber of the clergy into my classroom as I was getting some flack fro a few parents during the evolution unit. All I did was introduce him. After he did his little presentation several students pointed out that he offered no evidences for his ideas but only tried to discredit evolutionary theory. When called on it he stated that evidences were not needed as it was the will of God. When the students persisted in asking for evidences of the mechanisms whereby this will of God could be played out he became agitated and eventually ended up telling the kids that they were just kids and what did they know. It was classic and had a very big impact on the learners. The cool thing was all I did was introduce him and thank him for coming. Otherwise I never said a word. I no longer teach at that school but from that day forward the parents of that church never again gave me any shit about equal access. Another great moment was when I had the students read and reflect upon a native American creation myth in response to another families concern about lack of balance in the curriculum. To paraphrase the parent afterwards, it was something like when we asked for expose to creationism we didn’t mean that creationism. As you have noted earlier kids are very perceptive especially when they smell hypocrisy
nanlichi Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Pete, it’s ok that they get old and die. It’s our job to keep the freaks from passing along the mutation that causes them to believe in mythical saviors. The best way to make sure that happens is to expose the kids to logic and reasoning. That stuff is kryptonite to fundamentalists.
You got that right. Some years ago a young homeshooled gentleman worked for me. 17 years old and he was, literally, afraid to light a match! Well, I told him I was an atheist, he told his Mom, and she tried to make him quit (he had turned 18). But, he stood his ground and kept the job.
Well, I never limited my speech and treated him as a rational adult. And, since we often closed the restaurant together, we had lots of talks about life, the universe, and everything. The restaurant closed and I lost touch with him.
Two years later I ran into him, with wife and son in tow. He proudly told me he was attending university and majoring in bio-chemistry. But, what really touched me was when he said, “Pete. Thanks to you I’ve evolved past my Mom”.
I often remind myself of that meeting when it looks like the fundies are winning.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pmdbadass Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Great story! I once quipped, to a friend, that “parental controls” are a good idea. The world would be a better place if we could “lock out” offensive parents.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:08 pmI was once given the information, that, as an evolving soul, our greatest challenge is to ‘escape’ our parents.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:36 pmGreat story Pete, thanks.
I have a neice and nephew that are single digits in age raised by a couple of fundies. I like to wow them with magic tricks. Then I tell them that there is of course no such thing as magic and when someone tells them something that they know doesn’t make sense that they should question it.
It’s a start. Next year we will talk about the magic behind a three day old corpse coming back to life.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pmTo Pete, there is a book called Language of God written by Francis S. Collins. HE was the head scientist for the Human Genome project, and is still one of the world’s leading scientists. I think you could benefit by reading this book, as well as all the other bloggers who claim that Evangelicals lack wisdom or intellect. God Bless
April 9th, 2008 at 10:19 pmcorinthians319 Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
To Pete, there is a book called Language of God written by Francis S. Collins. HE was the head scientist for the Human Genome project, and is still one of the world’s leading scientists. I think you could benefit by reading this book, as well as all the other bloggers who claim that Evangelicals lack wisdom or intellect. God Bless
See? Science isn’t a contrary view to a Religious one, except if you try to ignore the scientific facts. James Q. Wilson and John DiIulio Jr deny proved scientific facts, and what is worse, in a teaching book for students. Why? The rules of science aren’t in fact, work of God?
April 10th, 2008 at 6:29 amcorinthians319 Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Sorry it took so long to respond. I’m familiar with Dr. Collins work and respect his opinions though I’m not sure he calls himself evangelical. I don’t claim that all evangelicals lack wisdom and intellect which is why I’ve coined the phrase “evangelicon”. I reserve my contempt for those who seek to suppress learning, which conflicts with their religious preconceptions, and then blatantly lie to promote their agenda.
BTW. Professor Collins calls himself a evolutionist and rejects creationism and “intelligent design”. He also expresses his distaste of religion in government. He’s a pretty smart guy who, if listened to, could do much to bring American evangelicals into the 21st century. Alas, all too many can’t get past their Belief in Biblical Innerancy and maintain, and promote, a profound scientific illiteracy.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pmI agree that chritianity should not and can not be legislated. Jesus didn’t even do that.
BTW. A theistic evolutionist, or “BioLogos”, which expresses the belief that God is the source of all life and that life expresses the will of God. God Bless
April 10th, 2008 at 2:33 pmAre you saying that global warming ( which hasn’t increased in ten years) is worse than the millions of Jews, Gypsies, and Homosexuals that were slaughtered during the holocaust? maybe you should look in the mirror when you rant nazi-fascist.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:00 amcorinthians319 Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Are you saying that global warming ( which hasn’t increased in ten years) is worse than the millions of Jews, Gypsies, and Homosexuals that were slaughtered during the holocaust? maybe you should look in the mirror when you rant nazi-fascist.
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Are you saying that a God would have allowed the Holocaust? If so, do not bother explaining. I have no need of such a “god”
April 11th, 2008 at 1:59 amNarrow is the way.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:28 amdbadass Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 1:59 am
.
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Are you saying that a God would have allowed the Holocaust? If so, do not bother explaining. I have no need of such a “god”
Why do we blame the bad stuff on God, but refuse to give Him credit for the good stuff like life, the man-woman relationship - marriage, justice, and the expectation of eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ His Son?
Giving Him the blame just doesn’t seem fair to bitblt.
But as to the causes or the Holocaust…
Could it be that science was one of the influences that brought about the Holocaust?
Here is a opinion that Darwin’s influence went way beyond his expectations.
http://www.darwintohitler.com/
“From Darwin to Hitler”
Quoted from http://www.evolutionnews.org.
If the existence of evil gives us pause, shouldn’t we just consider it the natural outgrowth of the “survival of the fittest” principle, which is so well established by Darwinism?
Science does have implications for society, and not all of the implications are about curing cancer. .
Please use careful discretion with the above link. Discovery Institute is a biased source, and bitblt knows that dbadass has often emphasized the importance of unbiased sources.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:40 ambitblt Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Slight Correction
Block quote material is from
http://www.jewishmediaresources.com/article/1166/
Not a Doctor’s Decision
by Jonathan Rosenblum
Jerusalem Post
December 27, 2007
Rosenblum is talking about book at
http://www.darwintohitler.com/
April 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am