The propaganda clearinghouse of the Discoverup Institute almost never fails to provide me with blagging material when I want it. Here is Logan Gage quoting WaPo editorialist Michael Gerson’s commentary on the recently released results of the Pew Religion Survey, particularly the observation that nine-percent of atheists report being skeptical of evolution:
Well, there probably aren’t any atheist creationists, although, if Richard Dawkins can be an “Atheist for Jesus,” anything is possible. Yes, these folks may be severely confused (”deluded,” if you prefer).
However, perhaps many of these atheists, while not being creationists, are simply skeptical of the Darwinian mechanism. (Gerson seems to miss that lack of belief in Darwinism is not the same as creationism—at least if words are to have any meaning.) Clearly they have to believe in some sort of naturalistic evolution. But that doesn’t mean they think there is good evidence for Darwin’s particular theory of natural selection.
There are two big problems here (yes, I am also amazed that Logan managed to make it this far with only two fuck ups). Number one, no one cares about “Darwin’s particular theory of natural selection.” Although Darwin’s work was influential, groundbreaking and far reaching 150 years ago, biology and evolution in particular have moved far beyond him. The fellowship of the Discoverup Institute never has been able to break from the treatment of Darwin as the ultimate, inviolable authority on evolutionary science, presumably due to their theological frame of mind. A lot of people think that is simply dishonest, cynical meme-propagation and rhetoric on their part, but I’m generally of the suspicion that they’re just too fucking stupid to recognize the difference.
Secondly, if Logan is even slightly inclined to believe that these respondents’ opinion of evolution springs from an informed evaluation of the merits of the natural selection, I will gladly inform him that, according to the same survey, about twice as many atheists claim to believe in God. In addition, slightly more (12%) claim to believe in heaven and pray at least once a week (10%). So no, these folks don’t have to “believe in some sort of naturalistic evolution.” They can be, and likely are, the same sort of uninformed, ignorant boobs that compose the DI’s target audience.
July 10, 2008 at 10:06 am |
Number one, no one cares about “Darwin’s particular theory of natural selection.”
Darwin’s (et al) theory of natural selection is alive and well, since as long as there are limited resources, heritable variation in traits that affect survival and reproduction, et cetera et cetera, evolution by natural selection pretty much has to happen. You are right that no one cares, because it’s so obvious in retrospect…
July 10, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
Yes, but my point was that talking about “Darwin’s particular theory of natural selection” is a bit like talking about “Newton’s particular theory of inertia.” The existence and function of it is obvious, and one can do without the gratuitous attachment of an authority figure.
July 11, 2008 at 8:38 pm |
Right, it’s not necessary to attach the name, but it’s also not necessary to grant them the point that there is something wrong with “the Darwinian mechanism”. So I would say three fuck ups…
July 12, 2008 at 10:33 pm |
I didn’t intend to, but that was probably not the most artful way of phrasing the argument I wanted to make. My mistake: two fuck ups for Logan, one fuck up for Tyler.
Savor the flavor, it won’t happen again.