The scientific pretensions of atheism

David Berlinkski, interviewed in the Intelligent Design movie Expelled, wrote a book on atheism and science entitled The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions. 

Interestingly, though he agrees with the premise of Expelled, he found it 'lacking meat.' 

He also advises young academics that, if they want tenure, keep their heads down on this issue until AFTER they gain tenure, because anyone who openly doubts evolution most certainly is black balled in academia, as alleged by Expelled. 

He also mentions that the link between Darwinism and Nazism is so clear, that to deny it is to be academically self-deluded. 

Comments

[Darron S]

He also mentions that the link between Darwinism and Nazism is so clear, that to deny it is to be academically self-deluded.

Evolutionary Theory is to Nazism as Nuclear Theory is to Capitalism.

Hitler may or may not used his knowledge of natural selection to implement his own form of "artificial selection." America certainly did use their knowledge of Nuclear Theory to drop two nuclear bombs on Japan which ended WWII.

Scientific theories are neutral. They only seek to explain evidence presented in the natural world. How humans use that knowledge can be either good or evil, but the theories themselves are completely impartial. I don't see anyone complaining that evolutionary theory is used by the CDC to create new flu shots every year.

Now, maybe David Berlinkski was talking about "social darwinism", but that's a whole different ball of wax than the Scientific Theory of Evolution via Natural Selection, wouldn't you agree?

Cheers!

[Cineaste]

I'm going to promote the creationist movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" with a link to it's rave reviews. I encourage everyone to take note of it's rating...

Rotten Tomatoes

[Simon]

I also advise young academics not to doubt gravity, atoms, relativity. At least until they've read a couple of books or so.

[Benjamin9]

"I'm going to promote the leftist presidential run: "Barry: No Bill of Rights Allowed" with a link to it's rave reviews. I encourage everyone to take note of it's rating amongst non-elitists and the religious...

".... At least until they've read a couple of books or so." ----->

Genesis through Rev? I agree it would be a great place to start.

[Silver Hallide]

He also advises young academics that, if they want tenure, keep their heads down on this issue until AFTER they gain tenure, because anyone who openly doubts evolution most certainly is black balled in academia, as alleged by Expelled.

So, basically the Author advises students to engage in hypocracy to get a degree and tenure that they will basically turn around and challenge the validity of. How convenient.

Not a very ethical tactic in my opinion.

[seeker]

basically the Author advises students to engage in hypocrisy

What you call hypocrisy i would call prudence. While I did not hide my skepticism of evolution when getting my science degree, I was just an undergrad. It is not necessary to believe the fables of your culture (evolution or creation) in order to gain scientific knowledge or make scientific contributions, as the textbooks written by Guillermo Gonzalez clearly demonstrate.

As I have previously posted, evolution contributes very little to science, but contributes greatly to the worldview of people who need a theory of origins that is atheistic - and that is it's real appeal.

I have addressed the lack of evolutionary contribution to science in:
- Evolution's Impact on Science
- The biblical origins of science
- Evolution Contributes Nothing to Medicine
- The Role of Evolution in Biomedical Research is Highly Exaggerated
- Mass Delusion - 10 Reasons Why the Majority of Scientists Believe in Evolution
- Darwinism Impeding Science I - Spontaneous Generation or Creation
- Darwinism Impeding Science II - the appendix
- Darwinism Impeding Science III - Junk DNA defies evolution's predictions
- Evolutionary Trees - In Flux or Broken and Bogus?

[Samuel Skinner]

Yes, because beliving people were shaped from dust- I mean show irreducible complexity.

Evolution by contrast is "only" supported by fossil evidence, experiments, analysis, disease behavior, history and logical coherance. So obvious it is okay to dismiss all that seems.. well, nuts.
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It would be nice if you explained why you believe evolution is wrong. Unfortunately you don't> I can only assume that is because arguments you have will be shread by any person with two brain cells to rub together.

[seeker]

Evolution by contrast is "only" supported by ...

You forgot to add the word "poorly" after only. We have explained here, and countless sites have explained why evolution is improbable and not supported by the data. The problem is, we are not fighting merely a war of facts, but of deeply held beliefs on the evolutionists' side - to question evolution is heresy, not because the facts are so clear, but because those who believe evolution need it to be true so badly. Take that away, and they have no world view to stand on.

[Louis]

Speaking of atheism, here's an interesting story I came across. Since Christians are always whining about being "persecuted" for their faith, it's revealing to see the curtain whisked aside and the real story revealed. Money quote:

But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging he's been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn't believe in God. The suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

"I'm not in it for cash," Hall said. "I want no one else to go what I went through."

Known as "the atheist guy," Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshiper and -- just as severe to some soldiers -- gay, none of which, he says, is true.

My observation is that xians don't really want religious freedom, but, rather, religious dominance. They pretend that they only want a place at the table while their hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) agenda is the entire table. The attempts to christianize the U.S. military is one prime example (cf, the Air Force Academy scandal).