God is in the banana
Every so often I am bombarded by evidence that no one is imparting even the most basic level of scientific understanding to the general public, and especially not to children. I can’t count the number of times an acquaintance has blurted out that they don’t ‘believe’ in evolution. Or are offended that I would espouse the view that ‘we came from chimps’. Since I am versed in the Judeo-Christian story of creation, as well as many others, I always find myself asking these folks to explain their understanding of evolutionary principles. Without fail, they are unable to explain how it works, only that they know it is ‘wrong’ or ‘offensive’ to think we came from ‘the slime’ or ‘the monkeys’.
These conversations betray so much. The horrible levels of scientific literacy, the lazy thinking involved, the way evolution has been framed and indoctrinated in these people as ignoble or demeaning without any consideration of the wonder and awe involved in contemplating physical and biological forces at work in the organic world.
In one recent instance, someone very honestly stated that they couldn’t buy into this crazy monkey argument. I responded with a basic explanation of cell division, mutation, speciation, and natural selection over time. All of these very basic principles of biology. Said person responded that that made very clear sense and that no one, least of all anyone in the educational system, had ever bothered with such an explanation.
It was innocent and basic ignorance, but it left me dumbfounded that no one had bothered teaching these essential concepts.
Worse than ignorance though, are the quacks who push religion as science in the form of Intelligent Design and Creationism.
And with that, I present a comedic finale.
Apparently I am extraordinarily late to the party and this clip has already made many rounds about the Internet, but here you go, the banana as proof of a Creator:
And there is nothing remotely sexual about that clip. Not at all.
June 10, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I’m really hoping there is more to this video as “proof” of a Creator. Otherwise this is just sad beyond belief.
June 10, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I think there is plenty more wherever this came from. And if this was just a question of entertainment/comedy value instead of something people actually believe, that might have been a good thing.
December 8, 2008 at 2:09 am
Unfortunately, the easiest way to argue a delusional position is when proof to the contrary isn’t tangible. Sadly I’d probably have an easier time defending the views of the flat earth society by denouncing the satellite pictures to be an evil conspiracy, than looking to physics, geography and the other sciences to prove the opposite.
It’s ironic how we laugh about how the ancient Greeks believed Gods to be responsible for rainstorms and dry periods when we aren’t really any better nowadays. If anything we’re worse, because science back then wasn’t anywhere near where it is now.
I’d like the hardcore peta activists to team up against the creationists who hold the thought of us having developed from monkeys as being degrading. In the ideal case both crackpot sides obliterate each other and the world breathes a sigh of relief :D If this ever happens; make sure to give both sides plenty of guns and ammo.