Friday, January 12, 2007
Blasphemy
Has anyone noticed that the Discovery Institute -- once thought of as fiendishly clever for spinning the poor straw that is intelligent design into a kind of fools gold -- seems to be losing its grip?
The latest of many examples is Casey Luskin absolutely losing it over a light-hearted book parody by Bobby Henderson, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Henderson's gospel, which cleverly turns the arguments of intelligent design back on its advocates, is guilty of mocking world religions, huffs Luskin.
Moreover, when Luskin hints darkly that Henderson's "attempts at humor may have gone too far" he not only reminds us of the furious reaction in some Muslim quarters to cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, he also lets the cat out of the bag about the religious nature of intelligent design.
After all, why does a purely scientific organization such as the Discovery Institute give a damn what anybody says or writes about religion?
The latest of many examples is Casey Luskin absolutely losing it over a light-hearted book parody by Bobby Henderson, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Henderson's gospel, which cleverly turns the arguments of intelligent design back on its advocates, is guilty of mocking world religions, huffs Luskin.
Moreover, when Luskin hints darkly that Henderson's "attempts at humor may have gone too far" he not only reminds us of the furious reaction in some Muslim quarters to cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, he also lets the cat out of the bag about the religious nature of intelligent design.
After all, why does a purely scientific organization such as the Discovery Institute give a damn what anybody says or writes about religion?
