Six lessons to learn from the creationism and intelligent design craze

A few simple things we can learn includes the following:

(1) Creationism and intelligent design are examples of faith in the obsolete claims of ancient religious texts clashing with rationality. This is a case of faith trying to squelch science in a zero-sum conflict, in which science must win.

(2) All dogmas are dangerous to the well-being of others (in this case, the education and critical thinking skills of future generations and the scientific literacy of the population).
(3) Holding respect for these dogmas is far more dangerous than openly opposing them.

(4) Silence in the face of such sheer unreason is reprehensible – silence is tantamount to support.

(5) Even well into the 21st century, there are still people who hold the false certainty that a text, authored millennia ago by tribal desert nomads, can still prove to be an authoritative guide to deciding modern issues of ethics and science.

(6) Scientists have a moral and intellectual responsibility to make science accessible, and demand better science education standards. Without their efforts, no one will come to the aid of science.

“A fact never went into partnership with a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of wonders. A fact will fit every other fact in the universe, and that is how you can tell whether it is or is not a fact. A lie will not fit anything except another lie.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

~ by jsacc001 on March 4, 2008.