Kirk Cameron to hand out altered copies of Origin of Species to college students

You can read the news article and watch the video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/kirk-camerons-origin-of-s_n_294349.html

As some of you are aware, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birthday. While his birthday was already celebrated back in Feburary with "Darwin Day" bionerds everywhere are planning to also commerate the anniversary of his most famous book, The Origin of Species, on "Origin Day" on November 24. Never the ones to miss a chance to make fools out of themselves, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have announced that they plan to usurp Origin Day by handing out copies of Origin of Species that have had a 50 page "introduction" added to the book, written by none other than Ray Comfort himself. The introduction is your standard creationist rhetoric hitler was an evolutionist", "how could something come from nothing", etc). According to Cameron, a network of creationists will be handing out the books at the "nation's top 50 universities" on November 22, two days before Origin Day.

Now I happen to attend such an institution and I'm actually a bit excited about this. Assuming that these guys have actually gotten permission from the college for this (and thus won't be kicked off campus five minutes after their arrival) it should be interesting to see the student body and faculty's reactions to this. I'm thinking I'll probably hang around there all day for the lulz and pick up a free copy or two of their version of Origin of Speices (it's a very nice looking copy, certainly nicer than the $5 paperback version I've got laying around. All it needs is about 25 page tears).

Kinda silly. I consider myself to be a Christian, but you gotta admit, the evidence is sure piling up for the other side.

You can read the news article and watch the video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/kirk-camerons-origin-of-s_n_294349.html

As some of you are aware, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birthday. While his birthday was already celebrated back in Feburary with "Darwin Day" bionerds everywhere are planning to also commerate the anniversary of his most famous book, The Origin of Species, on "Origin Day" on November 24. Never the ones to miss a chance to make fools out of themselves, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have announced that they plan to usurp Origin Day by handing out copies of Origin of Species that have had a 50 page "introduction" added to the book, written by none other than Ray Comfort himself. The introduction is your standard creationist rhetoric hitler was an evolutionist", "how could something come from nothing", etc). According to Cameron, a network of creationists will be handing out the books at the "nation's top 50 universities" on November 22, two days before Origin Day.

Now I happen to attend such an institution and I'm actually a bit excited about this. Assuming that these guys have actually gotten permission from the college for this (and thus won't be kicked off campus five minutes after their arrival) it should be interesting to see the student body and faculty's reactions to this. I'm thinking I'll probably hang around there all day for the lulz and pick up a free copy or two of their version of Origin of Speices (it's a very nice looking copy, certainly nicer than the $5 paperback version I've got laying around. All it needs is about 25 page tears).

gameguy6700

I hate these kinds of people. Seriously, I loathe them with every fiber of my being.

You can read the news article and watch the video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/kirk-camerons-origin-of-s_n_294349.html

As some of you are aware, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birthday. While his birthday was already celebrated back in Feburary with "Darwin Day" bionerds everywhere are planning to also commerate the anniversary of his most famous book, The Origin of Species, on "Origin Day" on November 24. Never the ones to miss a chance to make fools out of themselves, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have announced that they plan to usurp Origin Day by handing out copies of Origin of Species that have had a 50 page "introduction" added to the book, written by none other than Ray Comfort himself. The introduction is your standard creationist rhetoric hitler was an evolutionist", "how could something come from nothing", etc). According to Cameron, a network of creationists will be handing out the books at the "nation's top 50 universities" on November 22, two days before Origin Day.

Now I happen to attend such an institution and I'm actually a bit excited about this. Assuming that these guys have actually gotten permission from the college for this (and thus won't be kicked off campus five minutes after their arrival) it should be interesting to see the student body and faculty's reactions to this. I'm thinking I'll probably hang around there all day for the lulz and pick up a free copy or two of their version of Origin of Speices (it's a very nice looking copy, certainly nicer than the $5 paperback version I've got laying around. All it needs is about 25 page tears).

gameguy6700

you should be a super cool guy and like send me one:D

"how could something come from nothing"gameguy6700

Kinda silly. I consider myself to be a Christian, but you gotta admit, the evidence is sure piling up for the other side.

jubino

It's not about religion. Hell, some of the smartest people who ever lived were Christians. Some of the most important groundbreaking scientific discoveries ever made came from Christians.

That isn't what this is about. This is about ignorant religious zealots who oppose progress and want to bring scientific knowledge to a halt. These are people who want EVERYONE to live in ignorance if the truth is somehow personally offensive to them.

These are the people who criticize a theory without even LEARNING about it, because somehow knowing what they are railing against would be getting them closer to Satan.

And dare I say, these are the same kinds of people who bomb abortion clinics and commit suicide bombings in the hopes of receiving virgins in heaven.

These people are ****ing dangerous lunatics. They are vile bastards.

Faith has nothing to do with this. I'm an atheist, but even most of the Christians and Muslims I've met despise these kinds of people.

Kinda banking on the hope that no one who gets a copy will read beyond the introduction, aren't they?

awww. Too bad I don't go to one of those schools. I would love to point and laugh at those morons.

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

You can read the news article and watch the video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/kirk-camerons-origin-of-s_n_294349.html

As some of you are aware, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birthday. While his birthday was already celebrated back in Feburary with "Darwin Day" bionerds everywhere are planning to also commerate the anniversary of his most famous book, The Origin of Species, on "Origin Day" on November 24. Never the ones to miss a chance to make fools out of themselves, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have announced that they plan to usurp Origin Day by handing out copies of Origin of Species that have had a 50 page "introduction" added to the book, written by none other than Ray Comfort himself. The introduction is your standard creationist rhetoric hitler was an evolutionist", "how could something come from nothing", etc). According to Cameron, a network of creationists will be handing out the books at the "nation's top 50 universities" on November 22, two days before Origin Day.

Now I happen to attend such an institution and I'm actually a bit excited about this. Assuming that these guys have actually gotten permission from the college for this (and thus won't be kicked off campus five minutes after their arrival) it should be interesting to see the student body and faculty's reactions to this. I'm thinking I'll probably hang around there all day for the lulz and pick up a free copy or two of their version of Origin of Speices (it's a very nice looking copy, certainly nicer than the $5 paperback version I've got laying around. All it needs is about 25 page tears).

SamusFreak

you should be a super cool guy and like send me one:D

Sure, why not. I'm thinking I'll try to get as many copies as I can carry, hand a few off to friends and a few professors I have in mind, and then mail off the rest to the first X posters in a topic who can pay S&H. Or maybe I'll just try to get a quick buck off ebay :P

Kinda banking on the hope that no one who gets a copy will read beyond the introduction, aren't they?

GabuEx

I hate to say it but depending on how well they write their misinformation they could actually use the rest of the book in their favor. Origin of Species was written 150 years ago which is ancient history as far as science is concerned. Since natural selection theory was so new when Darwin wrote the book (obviously) there were some big gaping holes in the theory that he couldn't answer at the time. The biggest one, and one that he does harp on throughout the book, is that he has no idea how traits get passed from parent to offspring. Of course these days we know all about genetics and DNA so that's no longer a mystery, but because Darwin and his contemporaries didn't have even the faintest clue about genetics it causes Darwin to suggest what would now be considered absurd hypotheses on a few topics.

The book is still largely relevant, but it does require that the reader have some background knowledge of biology before reading so they know what to ignore and what to focus on. While the logic behind his theory presented in the first four chapters is air tight, a person who's leaning towards creationism or is otherwise confused about science may harp on what they perceive to be "proof" of evolution's invalidity instead of focusing on the real meat of the book.

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"] [QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

[QUOTE="jubino"]

Kinda silly. I consider myself to be a Christian, but you gotta admit, the evidence is sure piling up for the other side.

seabiscuit8686

It's not about religion. Hell, some of the smartest people who ever lived were Christians. Some of the most important groundbreaking scientific discoveries ever made came from Christians.

That isn't what this is about. This is about ignorant religious zealots who oppose progress and want to bring scientific knowledge to a halt. These are people who want EVERYONE to live in ignorance if the truth is somehow personally offensive to them.

These are the people who criticize a theory without even LEARNING about it, because somehow knowing what they are railing against would be getting them closer to Satan.

And dare I say, these are the same kinds of people who bomb abortion clinics and commit suicide bombings in the hopes of receiving virgins in heaven.

These people are ****ing dangerous lunatics. They are vile bastards.

Faith has nothing to do with this. I'm an atheist, but even most of the Christians and Muslims I've met despise these kinds of people.

Dude, evolution is the foundation of modern biology. Evolution is a fact, period. ANYONE who doubts that evolution happens hasn't even taken the effort to understand it, which makes it that much more insidious that they are trying to discredit it.

Dude, we're talking about Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. The people who came up with the damn Crocoduck. If you have ANY respect for their twisted brand of intentional idiocy, then you belong right alongside them.

Well you do know it is a theory.seabiscuit8686

It's a bunch of extreme religious zealots looking for attention. Am I an atheist? Nope. Am I a Christian? Yep. Both atheists and Christians have done wrong in pulling their side. Don't think atheists have done so? Go to China and profess that you're a Christian. Christian zealots? You see it in the news about abortion clinic bombings or Fred Phelps in Kansas. BTW, being a zealot is not necessarily a bad thing. Simon (Peter), in the New Testament, is described as a zealot. He never killed or bombed anyone.

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]Well you do know it is a theory.seabiscuit8686

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]Well you do know it is a theory.seabiscuit8686

You killed your credibility the second you said you tried to pawn it off as just a theory. All you did is show that you don't actually know a damn thing about science or the scientific method. If you did actually know something about the science you would know that their arguments are not in the least bit scientific and instead based on utter bull****. The reason people believed Einstien and didn't laugh him off like we laugh these people off is because his work was actually scientific.

[QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"] Your ignorance is unfathomable. You are like the Church when Galileo was spouting his heretical views. Notice the role reversal. If there is one person on this earth before Einstein who said....DUDE - Gravity in it's current state is false, they would be touted as morons. Just like you are doing. My point is not that the Creationists are right, but that you are all wrong for putting 100% of your faith in something that is NOT A FACT. You do know that only ignorant scientists claim things as facts. seabiscuit8686

You killed your credibility the second you said you tried to pawn it off as just a theory. All you did is show that you don't actually know a damn thing about science or the scientific method. If you did actually know something about the science you would know that their arguments are not in the least bit scientific and instead based on utter bull****. The reason people believed Einstien and didn't laugh him off like we laugh these people off is because his work was actually scientific.

I was simply showing you that your refutation is terrible. You compared them to Einstein and Galileo. That means that you give their ideas credence that they certainly don't deserve.

Well you do know it is a theory. seabiscuit8686

ಠ_ಠ
It's not "just' a theory.

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]Well you do know it is a theory.seabiscuit8686

If only there were some way to remove quotes you don't want, eh?Funky_Llama

I find it hysterical and hypocritical that you call these people "anti-science" and "anti-progress" when you believe something with such little evidence as evolution. seabiscuit8686

Have you even looked at the evidence? What would it take to convince you?

Video

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]Well you do know it is a theory. MrPraline

ಠ_ಠ
It's not "just' a theory.

Music theory is just a theory! You can't teach music; it's never been proven!

Music theory is just a theory! You can't teach music; it's never been proven!

*sigh* As a Christian myself, I consider Natural Selection to be one of the all time greatest discoveries in any field of science. My friend always said this (he is a Christian too): "Just because God made everything doesn't mean he doesn't want to change what he made. For anyone knows, he could've gotten bored with his creations and decided to mix things up a bit." But as far as my view is, Natural Selection is the truth, but it doesn't mean we evolved from apes.

But as far as my view is, Natural Selection is the truth, but it doesn't mean we evolved from apes.

Grodus5

It's people like them that make the lives of sane theists nearly unbearable. Besides, why do I get the feeling that, if the estate of Charles Darwin should catch wind of this, they'll end up suing the pants off of them?

This level of ignorance and misinformation should be illegal.

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]Well you do know it is a theory.seabiscuit8686

[QUOTE="Grodus5"]

But as far as my view is, Natural Selection is the truth, but it doesn't mean we evolved from apes.

-Chimera-

[QUOTE="Grodus5"]

But as far as my view is, Natural Selection is the truth, but it doesn't mean we evolved from apes.

-Chimera-

Kirk Cameron is sooooo cuuuuuuute. . . .

I'm sorry; what was the topic? :oops:

Kirk Cameron is sooooo cuuuuuuute. . . .

I'm sorry; what was the topic? :oops:

Theokhoth

Man everyone has an agenda. :x

It scared me when he said he wanted our future doctors, the people who work in a profession dependent on the Scientific Theory of Evolution, to subscribe to creationism.

Keep reading. I cannot defend a theory that has no evidence. Never once did I defend them....I refuted the others who basically say evolution is the end all and be all. It will be changed, it will be modified. 100 years from now, the evolution theory of present will look nothing like it does now. That is most certainly guaranteed. It is anti progress to be satisfied with evolution in it's current form.

seabiscuit8686

Theories are the highest classification an explanation for observed phenomenon can get. Laws are purely mathematical and a theory can never become a law, thus why Germ Theory, Cell Theory, and the Theory of Gravity are "just theories." Furthermore, a theory can only graduate from a hypothesis once a large amount of corroborating evidence supports it, and it is able to form predictions useful in furthering science.

No one ever said they want to stop work on evolution, that's constantly going on with hypotheses such as punctuated equilibrium, etc... Evolution has changed and will change, but the ridiculous anti-science nonsense spewed by Kirk Cameron sets back public knowledge of the most important theory in modern biology, and a theory that has led to countless developments in medical science, psychology, sociology, robotics and more.

Btw, there is a ridiculous amount of evidence for evolution.

Keep reading. I cannot defend a theory that has no evidence. Never once did I defend them....I refuted the others who basically say evolution is the end all and be all. It will be changed, it will be modified. 100 years from now, the evolution theory of present will look nothing like it does now. That is most certainly guaranteed. It is anti progress to be satisfied with evolution in it's current form.seabiscuit8686

I think the theory will be modified, but not to the extent that you imagine.

No evidence? What sort of reasoning is used to defend this stance?

You missed the context. Creationists have no evidence.seabiscuit8686

Hmm, you shouldn't have used the word theory :P

I am stating that as you guys seem to think I am defending them.seabiscuit

I am not... I just want to know the reasoning behind your position.

Keep reading. I cannot defend a theory that has no evidence. Never once did I defend them....I refuted the others who basically say evolution is the end all and be all. It will be changed, it will be modified. 100 years from now, the evolution theory of present will look nothing like it does now. That is most certainly guaranteed. It is anti progress to be satisfied with evolution in it's current form.

seabiscuit8686

I still don't understand why people refuse to accept evolution. I seriously don't. It's not perfect? Why of course it's not, if you're smart enough to go to the bathroom you'll know that complete knowledge in unreachable. But most of it is repeatedly verifiable and over time those inconsistencies will help us learn more and more about how evolution takes place.

It's like people think believing makes it true, or whatever. It isn't your place to believe in evolution, its your place to know it because it's real. I just... ugh.