I’d like to see a magazine cover like this : Pharyngula
Wow, The Onion’s on a roll today.
"When science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted its data."
— Henry Morris, founder of Institute for Creation Research. (via godisnotgreat)(via Unreasonable Faith)
The part dealing with Charles Darwin’s biography is actually rather good – almost as if he’d plagiarised the work of someone else? Sure enough, Googling several key phrases from Comfort’s introduction proves beyond reasonable doubt that he had. Whole passages were lifted without attribution from Dr Stan Guffey’s work, A Brief History of Charles Darwin. For example:
Ray: During his great adventure as the Beagle’s naturalist, Darwin had studied certain aspects of the morphology and biogeography of the many species of plants and animals that he had observed. He eventually concluded that species exhibited varying degrees of similarity because they were to varying degrees related.
Stan: On his great adventure as the Beagle’s naturalist Darwin had noted and begun to ponder certain aspects of the morphology and biogeography of the many species of plants and animals that he had observed. In particular, he had begun to explore the possibility, and eventually concluded, that species exhibited varying degrees of similarity because they are to varying degrees related.
(via The Freethinker)
Dr. Stovold kindly rips apart Comfort with a short analysis and a very apt analogy. Good morning fun. Hit the link for more.
Hemant: The arguments you make in the introduction to the Darwin book have been stated before — and refuted repeatedly by scientists. So why repeat them? Are you interested in hearing atheists’ responses to your questions?
Ray: I don’t deny that the arguments I have used have been addressed many times. However, it’s only atheists that believe that they have been “refuted.” I don’t. I listen to arguments and if they don’t hold up, I don’t accept them.
Hemant: In your own words, how would you describe how evolution and natural selection are supposed to work according to the theory that is broadly accepted in the life sciences? (In other words, can you explain what evolution is before trying to debunk it?)
Ray: Someone who believes in the theory of evolution believes that life started simply and over millions of years evolved to the complex state we now see. The process of change is supposedly brought about by something Darwin called “natural selection.” Evolution has no explanation for the genesis of life, and it has never been “observed” to take place. Nor has it been scientifically proven — because it’s never been “tested” in a laboratory. Evolution, as you have conceded in your question, is simply a theory. Darwinian evolution is often confused by believers with a species adapting within its own kind. Transitions within a species (a kind) is not Darwinian evolution.
Hemant: What is the strongest evidence you can think of in support of evolution by natural selection?
Ray: There is no indisputable evidence for species to species evolution. All “evidence” comes down to faith — does the believer believe the dating process or the information given by other believers in evolution. The mantra is that there are millions of fossils that scientifically prove evolution. I am often sent long lists of missing links. But as I investigate each one, they are not true missing links between kinds. There are millions of fossils that reveal adaptation within kinds, but there are no undisputed fossils that show one species (kind) evolving into another species (kind). The links between kinds were missing in Darwin’s day, and 150 years later they are still missing. To date I have seen no evidence for the theory of evolution.
Continue Reading at FriendlyAtheist.com
There is FAR more to this interview, and it gives us a glimpse into Mr. Comfort’s delusions. Hemant has outdone himself in providing this interview, and as I often say, it’s well worth your time to read.
"There is no refutation of Darwinian evolution in existence. If a refutation ever were to come about, it would come from a scientist, and not an idiot."
— Richard Dawkins, discussing Ray Comfort in an interview with CNN on November 25, 2009. (Epic win via Unreasonable Faith)
CH4 are running an interesting series on Christianity – now available on 40d. It features a few characters I know some fans here will like.
Watch the full series over at Ch4
(via Derren Brown Blog)
The initial video posted on Derren Brown’s Blog is fantastic, and we even get a taste of Dawkins discussing evolution. It looks as if there’s a lot more too this as well. So much interesting material comes out of the UK, sometimes I wish I lived there.
Go to the NCSE’s Don’t Diss Darwin site, and download the flyers and bookmarks and information there. Then on 19 November, when the creationist goons descend on your campus, follow them around and hand out truth and humor to go along with Comfort’s bogosity.
Easy.
I’m a little jealous I’m not in college anymore, otherwise I’d be all over this. For those of you who are still in college, or are just curious, download the flyer here.
