Oklahoma, Vatican Take Opposite Tacks On Evolution

nizcolas writes "Notable evolutionary biologist, author, and speaker Richard Dawkins was recently invited to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma as part of the school's celebration of Charles Darwin. However, Oklahoma lawmakers are working to silence Dawkins with the passage of House Bill 1015 (RTF), which reads in part: '... the University of Oklahoma ... has invited as a public speaker on campus, Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published opinions, as represented in his 2006 book "The God Delusion," and public statements on the theory of evolution demonstrate an intolerance for cultural diversity and diversity of thinking and are views that are not shared and are not representative of the thinking of a majority of the citizens of Oklahoma ...'" Pending legal action, Dawkins is set to speak tonight at 7 pm. (Luckily, we no longer live in the era of Bertrand Russell's court-ordered dismissal on moral grounds from the College of the City of New York.) And reader thms sends word of the Vatican's Darwin conference (program): "The conference, marking the 150th anniversary of the publication of "The Origin of Species," has been criticized by advocates of Creationism or Intelligent Design for not inviting them. The Muslim creationist Harun Yahya, most famous for his Atlas of Creation, also complained about not being invited."

Comments

Oklahoma?

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Celebrating cultural diversity? You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Re:Oklahoma?

[divisionbyzero]

This is hilarious. The far-right nutjobs are trying to appropriate the rhetoric of the far-left nutjobs and failing miserably. Lame. But funny. It should go right into the Onion.

Re:Oklahoma?

[geekboy642]

If you've interacted with a statistically relevant slice of American society, you should easily accept that at least 1 in 2 Americans are drooling morons. For Christ's sake, we have *cooking directions* on POPTARTS. We have chain saws with explicit warning labels to keep you from touching the flying blades with your fingers. My tractor's digging bit has a giant warning label depicting someone getting wrapped around the screw, and people STILL get killed by the damn things. At hospitals, motorcycle riders are referred to only as organ donors. How many people have fallen into a wood chipper, or tried to clean an obstruction while the thing was on and gotten eaten? I can't remember the last time I've gone a month without hearing of somebody dying due to their own stupidity. Americans steal high-voltage power lines for the copper, cut through tree limbs above themselves, and screw anything that moves, without protection.

53% is incredibly generous.

Evolution isn't the issue with Dawkins

[russotto]

Evolution or no evolution, I think Dawkins is unlikely to speak at the Vatican any time soon. His being an atheist and an advocate for atheism is the main reason. They'd sooner invite Lucifer; at least he believes in God.

Re:Evolution isn't the issue with Dawkins

[robot_love]

Unfortunately, however, Lucifer's social calendar is jammed solid, and he is unlikely to respond to any speaking engagement requests.

Re:The University versus the legislature

[kenj0418]

Really, what do you expect from the Oklahoma legislature anyway -- they're all descended from a bunch of apes anyway.

Re:They Have A Point

[flaming error]

Indeed. Such intolerance for "diversity in thinking" could quickly lead us down the slippery slope to fact-based reasoning. This would be devastating to many a philosophy, religion, stereotype, and political stance. Must. Stop. Use. of. Scientific. Method. Yesterday.

Re:Can of worms...

[Lemmy Caution]

Can of worms? With the Vatican, we get a Diet of Worms!

Re:Creationism was created as a childish response

[TheoMurpse]

<blink>Yes, as a matter of fact, it is!!!!!!!</blink>

No Problem

[dbcad7]

He can just take it down the road to Oral Roberts University.. I am sure they are more open to this kind of thing.

please make stupidity illegal

[Tom]

his 2006 book "The God Delusion," and public statements on the theory of evolution demonstrate an intolerance for cultural diversity and diversity of thinking

No, you fucktards, your attitude is the intolerant one. Mr. Dawkins makes claims, cites the supporting evidence, and draws conclusions, and then arrives at an opinion that he can solidly argue. And - from what I've seen of him - he does not mind listening to those who have a different opinion, and doesn't deny them forum.

Oh yes, he also doesn't belong to a group of people with a thousand year history of silencing and killing its opponent. Like you.

If the penalty for stupidity were death, Oklahoma would have to hold new elections.