Fredric Rice (frice@stbbs.com) first said: The perpetuation of ignorance and superstition

Fredric Rice (frice@stbbs.com) first said:

        The perpetuation of ignorance and superstition for
        monetary gain is, I would think, unethical as well
        as eventually self-destructive.  The "Mysterious
        Origins of Man" is certainly not science -- it is
        claptrap.

        Do you guys and gals:

            1: honestly think you're doing America a favor
               by contributing to its growing lack of science
               education by airing claptrap and pretending
               it's science?

            2: suffering from that very same affliction and
               are collectively too ignorant to understand
               what science actually is and what it is not?

            3: suffer from the total lack of ethics?

        What _is_ your problem?

Bill Cote (bcvideo@pop.interport.net) then said:

        My only problem is that certain folks in the scientific
        community appear to have so little faith in their brand
        of "scientism" that they are fearful of anyone even
        questioning their authority.  If education is in trouble
        in America, it would behoove those who teach to re-examine
        what they are teaching and get off their academic altars.
        Science is failing to explain many of the mysteries of
        our world and the average man does not like to be told
        these mysteries do not exist simply because no scientific
        theory can explain them.  It's time for science to broaden
        it's view and focus on new answers instead of fighting to
        defend it's sacred traditions.

        Sincerely

        BC

Fredric Rice then said:

        That's one way to continue to pretend you're not
        perpetuating ignorance and pseudo-science, true.  And
        yet when science is employed and your "sadly mistaken"
        religious beliefs are easilly debunked, the only defense
        is to pretend there's some huge, dark, sinister cabal
        of evil pretenders trying to maintain the status quo out
        of greed...  And you won't even attempt to defend your
        undefendable religious beliefs in public; no, your
        methodology is to broadcast and pretend that those who
        easilly correct your "mistakes" are part of some huge
        conspiracy, thus allowing you to dismiss the truth
        without reguard.

        Amazing really.  But then you're not interested in the
        damage you do or the fact that wishful thinking will
        never replace science, are you?  No, my guess is that
        the only thing you are really interested in is bilking
        the ignorant for all it's worth and maintaining the low
        standard of education in the country.  It's legal, right?
        So why not, right?

        Have you no shame?  You might as well open up a "Psychic
        Hot Line" and bilk the ignorant honestly rather than try
        to drag scientific method down into the mud with you.
        You might as well start up your own television ministry
        and start "faith healing" the ignorant -- that would be
        more honest.

        No wonder the country's educational quality is in the
        toilet.