Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
That former blot upon the fine educational system of Minnesota has ended up at “Harding University, a private Christian school in Searcy, Ark. She’ll be the dean of graduate programs and an associate professor of education.”. Good for her, and at least now her damage is limited to only 6,000 students at a time, rather than a whole state’s worth.
There’s a rumor that it’s late April, and this is supposed to be Spring … but I just looked out my window and it looks like we’re having a blizzard right now.
It’s not April, it’s Minnesota!
You know how we all love to screw up online polls … here’s another one. Scroll down to just below “What others are saying”, on the left, where the poll question is:
Do you think the theory of Intelligent Design should be taught in our education system?
“Yes” is currently leading by about 3:1. If everyone goes over there and votes “no”, it will raise Mark Mathis’s blood pressure a few points.
(via Skippy)
I like it, anyway.
Mars seems to bring out the kooks. I was pointed to the bizarre Xenotech “research” site, which consists entirely of the delusional fantasies of Sir Charles W. Shults III, Scientist (yes, that’s what he calls himself). His research program? He gleans photographs from Mars probes for random shapes that look biological to him. Here, for instance, is the “clearest and most perfect trilobite” he has found in these pictures.
It’s a good thing he marked up that one photo with his imaginary lines—I’ve seen a lot of trilobites, and I wouldn’t have seen one in his rock if he hadn’t pulled out the crayon.
There’s more! He has a whole gallery of apophenia — it’s an amazing example of a hyperactive pattern detector.
Aquarius: Beware the nitrate levels in your tank, and do a filter change. Your guppies are pregnant. The air line to the little plastic treasure chest is at risk for getting clogged. Don’t overfee…what? It’s what? Aquarius, not aquarist?
Never mind.
KBSU is the campus television station for Bemidji State University, and apparently they’ve been broadcasting crap lately — several hours a day have been dedicated to episodes of this feeble series of videos called “Does God Exist?”. It’s awful. It’s basically some self-proclaimed Christian standing in front of a camera and preaching.
For an example of the quality of the thinking going into this video series, take a look at his proof for the existence of god. He literally says that there are only two possibilities: 1) the universe is eternal and uncreated, the atheist position (which is incorrect), and 2) the book of Genesis is correct. Because science has demonstrated the event called the Big Bang, it has proven that the Christian creation story is correct.
Really.
You know, I don’t think a public television has to be constrained to avoid showing inanity like this; in fact, this guy’s video series is so awesomely stupid that they are doing the cause of atheism a small favor by openly discrediting religious “logic”. However, as the television station for a university, I should think they would also be obligated to show something educational, with a little more intellectual heft than the ravings of a self-pithed delusional kook. How about also showing A brief history of disbelief? Bronowski’s Ascent of Man? Sagan’s Cosmos? There’s lots of good stuff out there, and that KBSU is rummaging about in the garbage bin for dreck to fill their broadcasting hours isn’t a good sign.
Leo: The stars predict there is a harem in your future. Unfortunately, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds; it’s more like a knacking yard cooperative, with benefits.
Christianity is a creepy death cult. Worshipping a rotting corpse is revolting.
The exhumed body of Padre Pio, a saint considered a miracle worker by his devotees, attracted thousands of pilgrims on Thursday when it went on display 40 years after his death.
…
His face was reconstructed with a lifelike silicone mask of the type used in wax museums because it was apparently too decomposed to show when the body was exhumed.
…
The body of the bearded Capuchin monk was exhumed from a crypt on March 3 and found to be in “fair condition” after 40 years. Since then a team of medical examiners and biochemists has worked to preserve and reconstruct the corpse.
Yeesh. They dug up the decayed body of an old fraud, dressed it up in a mask and fancy clothes, and parade it around and worship it…and use it to bilk desperate, sick people out of money? That’s just vile.
Capricorn: You are going to experience a miserable…wait. Those eyes. Those weird pupils…I…I…All Glory to the Hypno-Capricorn. You will be appointed Ruler of the Universe. Hail! All hail the Capricorn!
The recommendation I noted before has been officially and finally followed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: the Institute for Creation Research’s application to offer an online master’s degree program in creationist bullshit has been rejected. Bravo!
The ICR has said they will probably appeal. Don’t slack off, Texas, and keep the pressure on.
Taurus: Great news! Soft drink executives are planning to market a new energy drink made from your urine, on the basis of vague, unfounded rumors of your vitality. This is not such happy news for the rest of us, however.
