The infinite table


The Huffington Post reports that some creationists are demanding “equal time.”

Sure. Let’s do that with everything. There’s a documentary about the Holocaust? Give equal time to David Irving. PBS broadcasts Eyes on the Prize again? Give equal time to someone from the KKK. A documentary about the millions killed by Stalin? Give equal time to a Stalinist – if you can find one.

There’s a show about epidemics? Give equal time to people who think bacteria and viruses are a myth. A show about antibiotic resistance? Another opportunity for creationists!

Appearing on “The Janet Mefferd Show” on Thursday, Danny Faulkner of Answers In Genesis voiced his complaints about “Cosmos” and how the 13-episode series has described scientific theories, such as evolution, but has failed to shed light on dissenting creationist viewpoints. He said:

I was struck in the first episode where [Tyson] talked about science and how, you know, all ideas are discussed, you know, everything is up for discussion –- it’s all on the table — and I thought to myself, ‘No, consideration of special creation is definitely not open for discussion, it would seem.’

He meant the big table, the overall table, the table through time – during which “special creation” was discussed. A lot. Very much. For all the time until very recently. It’s generally off the table now because it’s been shown to be so thoroughly useless.

 

Comments

  1. Blanche Quizno says

    The germ theory of infection (yes, it’s JUST a theory!) is really far more damaging to the Biblical claims about disease being the result of “God’s wrath” and a form of “punishment for sin” and how it can only be cured by oiling up the patient and praying and confessing sins (see James 5:14-16 for an example): “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” My ASS it does! Availeth *nothing* you mean!

    I have come to the conclusion that the reason Christians pass on the germ theory of infection and instead attack the theory of evolution is because they feel they have nothing to lose in attacking evolution. It doesn’t apply to them, after all. But if they were to attack the germ theory of infection, that would mean boycotting doctors and hospitals – and dying. Of COURSE they don’t want to do that!!

    For all the Christian blatherings about how certain they are of their “heavenly reward” and how great it’s going to be, how they can hardly wait to get there, they cling to life, this “vale of tears”, with every ounce of energy they can channel into their bony, grasping fingers. Why, it almost seems they don’t really believe that “heaven” crap – if so, they’d regard EVERY illness as their express ticket to glory! You’d have to drug them and tie them up and drag them to a doctor against their will! Yet the most devout Christians are also among the most willing to agree to invasive, aggressive treatment in hopes it will prolong their lives. Go figure.

  2. Sastra says

    Exactly. When ideas are “discussed” in science the discussions take part among the scientists in peer review journals, not actual ‘tables’ set up for the public. That particular discussion moved on long ago. Now the big strategy is to roll the eyes and claim that the existence of God never was supposed to be supported by any evidence, duh.

    Considering the amount of pseudoscientific crap on television — ghost hunting shows, UFO documentaries, alien astronaut “theory” explored — not to mention entire networks devoted to Christianity all day every day– I’d say the creationists are already at the only table they really care about. They can do propaganda with the rest of the cranks and get an audience. It’s far more than they merit as it is.

  3. jagwired says

    Why the hell are they whining about equal time? Didn’t they recently have a series called The Bible on a major network? Isn’t that enough magic?

  4. iknklast says

    A student wrote on my test (the evolution unit, of course) that we should teach both sides. I am seriously considering asking him if he’ll set up a time for me to talk about evolution in his church.

    The other question is – both sides? There’s the science side (evolution) and then thousands of other sides (creation myths). Which sides do you want me to teach? I’m up for turtles all the way down – or maybe noodly appendages. Yahweh is out. Too boring.

  5. notyet says

    The obvious answer here is the simple truth. Neil deGrasse Tyson will be glad to put creation science on the show. Just show up and bring testable evidence of Creationism. Yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,that part’s gonna be tough.

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