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Ignoring Religion

Entry 599, on 2007-08-31 at 22:16:48 (Rating 4, Religion)

The sincerest form of flattery is imitation and the sincerest form of insult is total indifference. So what am I talking about this time? Well, religion, of course. I read, view, and listen to a lot of science related news and its strange that I almost never detect any sign of the so-called science versus intelligent design or creationism controversy.

Scientists talk about the origin of species through evolution without making comments such as "of course, that is assuming evolution is true, and new evidence from intelligent design theory makes this assumption dangerous". When discussing the origin of geological features they don't say anything like "we could be wrong on this because creation science has reliable evidence that the Earth is only 6000 years old". And I've never heard a single comment along the lines of "there is an exciting new controversy about the very basics of science because of the latest research by an amateur Christian scientist".

No, it just doesn't happen. Its as if religion and its various untrustworthy offshoots, such as intelligent design, just don't exist. Of course, I live in New Zealand which is a relatively enlightened society (at least from this perspective), and it could be quite different if I lived in a country where a large part of the population seem to have the knowledge and reasoning faculties of one of our ancestors from millions of years ago (yes, they did exist).

There is one correction I should make here. Religious theories are occasionally mentioned in the media here, but they are treated as either an interesting social phenomenon (with no real basis in reality) or with total disdain and barely controlled derisive mirth. For example I listened to an interviewer recently talk to a believer in creationism and she could hardly stop from laughing at him. A fairly understandable reaction, I think.

Comment 1 (850) by WF99 on 2007-09-20 at 08:16:05:

"And I've never heard a single comment along the lines of 'there is an exciting new controversy about the very basics of science because of the latest research by an amateur Christian scientist'."

Hmm. I sure have! :p

"For example I listened to an interviewer recently talk to a believer in creationism and she could hardly stop from laughing at him. A fairly understandable reaction, I think."

Not so, in my opinion. I assume she would also hardly stop from laughing at someone who still believes in the theory of acquired traits being passed on through genetics? Supposing that your belief really is "enlightenment" (and I'm not contesting that here), laughing in someone's face is not a good way to attract someone to your enlightenment.

Comment 2 (854) by OJB on 2007-09-20 at 11:01:01:

Well yes actually I have heard those comments too, but only from close-minded religious nuts. And I was talking about comments from scientists - real scientists - not those freaks in the US who have "degrees" from some sort of Christian mail-order University.

She probably wouldn't laugh at someone who espoused the idea that acquired traits are passed on genetically because there is some evidence that might happen in a very limited way. But laughing is really the only appropriate response to anyone who really believes something as obviously nonsensical as the flood myth!

Anyway, I didn't say she laughed, I said she could barely stop herself from doing so.

Comment 3 (859) by WF99 on 2007-09-21 at 08:11:11:

Yes, I don't doubt that it can occur, but it certainly is no substitute for natural selection. Yet that's what many people believed years ago. My point is that those people haven't yet reached your level of enlightenment, just as creationists haven't.

Comment 4 (864) by OJB on 2007-09-21 at 13:24:30:

Yes, the great steps forward of the last few hundred years that western civilisation has achieved: the Renaissance and Enlightenment, seem to have bypassed some people! Of course, that doesn't stop them using the benefits of technology (for example) while simultaneously criticising and trying to demean the science which gave them those benefits.

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