This Week's Amazing Randi...

James Randi's Swift - December 16, 2005

From: ideas.4brad.com/node/303

"Washington, DC: The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) issued a stern warning today to Televangelist Pat Robertson. Robertson had recently condemned the citizens of Dover, PA to the wrath of God for not voting in a school board that would teach Intelligent Design in classes. "We'd like to say to the good Reverend Robertson: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to Science, you just rejected it from your life," AAAS said on its daily television show broadcast from Washington, the 3.14159 Club.

And don't wonder why it hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. We're not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just pushed science out of your life. And if that's the case, don't ask for its help because it might not be there," they said. "In particular, you won't have a phone to call the ambulance, and it won't exist even if you could call it. And even if the doctor lived next door and you could call her, she would only bleed you and put smelly poultices on your forehead to balance your humors. And she would be a guy."

"Actually, we're just kidding," the AAAS later corrected. "Science works whether you believe in it or not. That's what's really cool about it," they said.

Been saying this until I'm blue in the face. But it becomes me? Nevertheless, it does seem as if these holier-than-thou's have nary a clue about dissing science when they in fact use science each and every day and wouldn't hesitate to indulge in the next wonder drug should it cure what ails them. I've never seen anyone but the genuine, dyed-in-the-wool nutcases preach prayer over a flu shot, but it is with some degree of regularity that the borderline whackdoodles such as Robertson declare a hellfire and damnation jihad on all those who do not seek supernatural intervention for every destructive act of nature that occurred because the faithful didn't kowtow enough to whatever deity was angered over the lack of attention. Religion is akin to sexual preference. Do whatever stokes the coals but for heavens sake keep it a private matter.

No, I'm not an atheist. I simply do not feel the need to draw attention to my spiritual preference each and every time an additional stroke or two might be warranted. Not so the exhibitionists and they just piss me off with all of this incessant look-at-MEEEEE bullshit.