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September 20, 2005

A Strategy for One Front in the Culture War

Don't turn around, uh oh, but the Commissar, fresh from a raging battle against ignorance (see GoldenEagle references in previous posts), has compiled a list of tactics for dealing with creationists and ID fanatics.

Presenting: The Wedgie Document.

The title, of course, is a play on the Discovery Institute's "wedge document" which outlines their strategy for using Intelligent Design to overturn materialism and naturalism, making any claim that ID isn't religion to be an out-and-out lie.

But the ID camp has never been above lying, so why be surprised?

I only have one minor disagreement with the Wedgie Document, which would be where we are urged:

Be factual. Don’t insult him or call him names .

To which I say, as politely as possible, to my fellow science fan: poppycock!

Factual? Of course.

No name calling? I think not!

Were these yahoos presenting something new, some actual science, some enlightened view of theology or philosophy, perhaps it would make sense to coddle them and whisper sweet nothings in their ears (intelligently designed in such a way that infection or loud noise can render them useless).

However, all I have ever seen is the same tired creationist gobbledygook spewed by people who have a very weak understanding of evolutionary science. Compound that with a general inability to follow philosophical lines of reasoning (e.g. ID is nothing but the argument from first causes with a dash of personal incredulity thrown in), and you're talking Exasperation City for the smarter half of this debate.

So, go on, dream up a colorful name for them and use it with pride!

They've earned it.