The "Discovery Institute" not a religious organization?
July 15th, 2008
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Well, according to them and this publicity video they aren’t at all religious.
The very claim that it’s secular at all is quite blatantly bogus, because despite claiming to have numerous programs ranging from “technology and democracy” to “bioethics,” the institute seems to be a bit less of a broadly-focused science/culture think tank than they make themselves out to be. Actually they have an unnatural obsession with promoting “freedom” in the science classroom – as long as freedom means teaching Intelligent Design, and generally opposing all things relating to evolution, the fact that the earth is five billion years old and anything else that conflicts with literalist interpretation of the Bible.
Don’t believe me? Just take a look at their page on news. It seems there is a lot of religious based and anti-science news items. But what’s even better is the “science education” page which is entirely anti-evolution and pro-intelligent design.
Science education, after all, is a pretty diverse subject. But do you see any mention on the page about mathematics in science? Anything talking about applied chemistry? Any issues relating to hopw science should be more stressed in early science education? Any topics about hands-on experiments in science classes? About what grade level certain mathematical and physics formulas should be taught? Standardized testing?
No… Not a mention.
Who do these assclowns think they’re kidding. The whole damn “institute” is a front for fanatical opposition to evolution. Amazingly, much as they talk about diverse viewpoints there doesn’t seen to be any pro-evolution commentary on the page at all. This despite the fact that it’s just about universally accepted by science (aside from some very fringe folks). As Carl Sagan said, “Evolution is not just a theory. It’s fact. It happens.” Despite what these guys say there really is no debate in science over evolution. It’s not a theory in peril or for which scientists are realizing is flawed or that is being clung to despite evidence. They’ve been saying that for decades, and it is still not true!
As for there being Jews on staff? Well, the creation story is shared by both Judism and Christianity, and although it’s generally the fundy Christians who get all nutty over it there are certainly some literalist fundamentalist Jews who are just as fanatical. (Cough cough.. Ben Stein)
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 10:54 pm and is filed under Bad Science, Education, Obfuscation, religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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July 16th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I find it hard to understand how they can justify resorting to dissemination and mendacity to support what they claim is the God of Truth.
As I was taught Christian theology, a soul cannot be fooled into salvation, and that is what these folks a in essence, trying to do.
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July 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Religion has been packaging themselves as science almost since the first person decided that there was a higher power. This is really no different, and may actually help the cause of science in a roundabout way. If the less then well educated fundamentalists listen to this message, and walk away with the thought that it is not a sin to at least listen to science, perhaps a few of them will begin to understand what science is all about.
Or, I could just be overly optimistic, and destined for disappointment. Could go either way, really.
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July 17th, 2008 at 2:29 am
“I bet he’d like church and state to be about as separated as his eyebrows…”
LOL I love that!
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August 25th, 2008 at 5:55 am
If God exists, science will prove it. Science is the means to which we will know the truth. Why people of belief constantly substitute the word truth for belief really pisses me off. Its amazing that we have Liberty University and the Discovery Institute…funny how the names of these places are the exact opposite of what they are..how hard could it be to get a degree from Liberty..I mean, there’s only 1 book to study!! (and yet 150+ grads work for GW Bush, guess its part of the help the handicapped program)
Keep up the good work..
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