Paraphrasing Edward Longshanks from the movie Braveheart “The problem with science, is all the scientists.”
I am amused by a piece in the New York Times Magazine by Virginia Heffernan. I am amused by Heffernan’s piece not because I disagree with her, but because she seems surprised. Note to Heffernan–It has always been thus.
Heffernan writes about the meltdown over at Science Blogs. “Science Blogs”, as you may well remember is the home of blogger PZ Myers who is famous for advancing science by desecrating the Eucharist. While Myers is the most read of the misogamists at Science Blogs, his penchant for the unpleasant is rather standard fare.
“Science Blogs” has recently seen many of its bloggers leave in protest over the addition of a new nutrition blog called Food Frontiers, Science Blogs sin that PepsiCo sponsors the site. It is indubitable that nobody does righteous indignation like the ungodly.
Heffernan, in following up on the story…
August 3, 2010 at 3:45 pm
misogamist?
August 4, 2010 at 1:35 am
science would be so much better if all the scientist died and priest took over!
August 4, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Sigh. OK I just noticed the above post and that idiotic comment is not mine. I think all who've read my posts will know the difference. How annoying though. (Perhaps, "jimbo" above, you could choose a different moniker? -I typed that really… slowly so that you would understand it. 🙂
A serious reply to the story: There is, luckily, a large body of scientists who find that the wonders of the universe only strengthen their faith in God, the "Prime Mover" of it all. Science SUPPORTS faith which is both a gift from God and informed by our experiences/intellect as well.
Nevertheless, the Cult of Science is full of radical anti-theist scientists who, as is normal for liberal academic types, rabidly force compliance with their narrow-minded views of the world. Sort of like the way Islam gives you three choices (convert, live in Dhimmitude and pay the Jizya, or be killed), the Cult of Science says, Convert to rabid atheism, or be attacked, vilified, mocked and driven out of the "system".
It is an exciting thing, though, for Catholic Scientists:
As Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Mat 5: 11-12
August 5, 2010 at 4:17 am
The interesting part is that I'm not sure that a great deal of scientists actually agree with 'the cult of science.' I'm a graduate student in physics and people have questioned me but I've never been attacked. Generally one's faith isn't something that comes up in conversation. Instead I think it is just an issue of small (proportionally) group of extremely vocal people who act as described in the article (not as scientists but as science bloggers, who may happen to be scientists but aren't acting like it on the blogs)…as your example of Galileo points out, in any field (not just science too!) there are some very intelligent people who, perhaps as a weakness that results from such great intelligence, have a propensity toward arrogance and elitism. Honestly, I think most scientists I know would look at the folks behind the blogs and think, "Surely you could be doing something better with your time."
However, what befuddles me is that so many of these vocal "rationalist" and "skeptical" bloggers attack agnostics too. The the thesis behind atheism is no more (scientifically/empirically) testable than the existence of God.
All that said, I appreciate the humor behind this post…we're all just out to take over the world. You'll see. Pluto needs company.
August 5, 2010 at 4:22 am
Oh but I must clarify that I do not think that scientific blogging is a waste of time, just that being vitriolic on a scientific blog is a waste of time. I'm all for science outreach,and in blogs especially if means people get an honest and factual report that can't be found on the news or in a paper.
August 9, 2010 at 7:53 am
Holy CROW you got a flood of trolls over there. Not surprised, since such folks tend to have search services to tell them when someone mentions select terms, but dang.