Let's hear it for Nightline!

One thing that constantly annoys me in the media is when the subject of creationism versus evolution comes up. Usually the approach seems to be that it's some sort of legitimate debate amongst the scientific community, as though the nation's 50/50 split represents the same ratio of difference amongst scientists. The creationists' ideas are given equal weight to the actual scientists.

Well, that's stupid. Would they do that if there was a group of people who were claiming that the Earth was resting on the back of a turtle? Of course not. They'd show them as a bunch of uninformed imbeciles. Because, that's what they are. Which is exactly what creationists are (or at the very least, those who teach it to children.)

This is one of those instances where I cannot have any "respect" for faith. If your faith falls squarely against the facts, then you deserve criticism, just as if your faith denies people basic human rights.

Anyway, it looks as though things may be turning around in the media. First there was the excellent program on Intelligent Design that Nova did a few months ago. Now there's the following story on Nightline.



I was impressed. I was expecting the same old, "Will we ever know which one is correct?" Not this time. Of course, I'd prefer it if they couched the following, "About half the population believes in evolution and the other half does not" as "About half the population accepts evolution and the other half is wrong." Still, the reporter is willing to show just how intellectually dishonest these people are. It's also amazing how easily they get flustered when asked some very simple questions that naturally arise from their "theory".

As always though, the hardest part for me to watch is that they're brainwashing children, but as the guy who works for the museum points out, some of them will start thinking for themselves one day. I guess that's one of the many prices of freedom in this country. You're free to teach your children things that are stupid. It's close to child abuse, but not close enough, I guess.