There is an interesting account out of Waco, Texas where Bill Nye “The Science Guy” was booed for saying that the Moon does not generate it own light — in contradiction to the Bible. This will likely end any dream of Nye to open a new Bill Nye “The Religion Guy” line of products. The speech reportedly occurred in 2006 but the controversy was rekindled after critics cried foul at the removal of the story from the local newspaper’s online archive.
Nye ran afoul of the faithful by remarking that it is not true that the moon generates its own light as opposed to reflecting light. This contradicted Genesis 1:16, which says quite clearly (if only Nye bothered to read it) that “God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” Fortunately, there were educated people in the audience who proceeded to boo Nye and walk out. One woman with three children reportedly screamed “We believe in God!” while storming out.
Now what is particularly interesting is the Waco Tribune broke the story and ran an article with quotations from the audience. However, it has been removed from the online site, as noted at an atheist site. However, it has now been returned, here. Why would the newspaper remove a clearly important story with international interest? If the story was false, there should have been a retraction and an investigation. If it is simply embarrassing, the newspaper is engaging in self-censorship. Either way, the newspaper owes people and explanation.
In the meantime, Nye needs to answer for his rejection of biblical science. Recently, Texas legislators moved to help create a master’s in creationist science. Perhaps Nye should be required to get a real science degree in creationism as opposed to that ridiculous Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Cornell.
Next he is going question the fact that the sun revolves around the earth and find himself in a papal trial.
For the original article, click here
Mike,
As someone who had a large chunk of his misspent youth learning about Biblical literacy and Creation science, the answer is simply Yes and No.
When most of the adults in your life are telling you one thing, and that anything that contradicts that is a “test of faith,” you learn to rationalize quite a bit. When you factor in that most of the “leaders” of the movement are either con men out to exploit the faithful, or so convinced of their rightness that they will lie to prove that they’re telling the truth it gets hard to get good information. So, while the story is true, the people aren’t stupid just very misled.
Between Glenn Greenwald and Jonathan Turley, one can get an online degree in advanced sarcasm!
Despite the optimism which I use to brighten my days and hopefully prolong my life, sometimes the facade is too tough to maintain. Can this story really be true? Are there really people so stupid? Is the denial that great? All questions for inquiring minds, but sadly I fear the answer is yes and being optimistic about human survival becomes difficult, when fools such as this abide in the world. Even the RCC gave up and admitted Galileo was on to something hundreds of years ago.
These born again types raise stupidity to unheard of modern levels and are too dumb to even understand why people oppose and ridicule them.
Xenu is amused. End communication.
Anything created by Texas republicans (including la luna) generates its own light.
lol
All celestial bodies are made of green cheese
The moon is a celestial body
Therefore the moon is made of green cheese
QED
Lets all sign or sing in unison. “Amazing Grace”
All I have to say to the Jesus Freaks is that if God didn’t invent both reflection and refraction of light, we’d all be blind. Physics! ‘Nuff said.
Oh Oh Buddha has arises from his dormancy. Never to return to normalcy is truly a fallacy.
Good Morning, Buddha but that Bill Nye reminds be of a freak. Probably was a Catholic at one time.
I do like that Bill Nye.
But what happens when they realize that all of the stars in the sky are actually other suns in the sky? Once they realize this, there heads just might explode.
FFLEO,
And don’t forget about the bone that was taken from Adam and given to Eve. LOL
Bush is in Crawford near Waco. Hummm, Baylor University and that Former dictator has made sure that G-d is Alive and well.
I guess in January 09 when a streaming light was seen coming from Austin to Dallas it was G-ds work of course. I see it as the alien lifeforms investigating there own.
Good ‘ol Wacko, Texas…
Jill said:
“If god can make headlights for cars he can use reflection on the moon. End of story!!!
______________________
Well Jill, all I know is that I praise the hand of god for equipping Eve with heavenly headlights…
As a resident of Texas (Austin) I wince every time some local yokel opens their mouth and confirms the worst stereotypes about Texans. This and that “moran” Texan congressman who thought he stumped the Nobel laureate yesterday asking about Alaskan oil…
Wait, I am confused. He was booed for saying the moon DOES NOT generate its own light? There are people who truly believe that the moon generates its own light and SO much hang on to this belief that it would be cause to carry an article in a local paper which headlined ignorant quotes from the “angry” mob? I guess I just didn’t realize that people existed who would take such a literal translation of the passage from Genesis.
I can’t figure out if “creationist science” is an oxymoron or not??
Somehow, this story has gained currency, even though the reporting is from April of 2006 (not 2009).
This link (http://www.examiner.com/x-4112-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m4d22-Just-shoot-me) includes the text of the 2006 article.
“God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.” Do they mean to say god couldn’t have made the sun to shine on the moon who’s relected light in turn, shines in the night sky? Are these people questioning god’s majesty and power? They should be ashamed. If god wants relective light, then let there be reflective light. Sinners! If god can make headlights for cars he can use reflection on the moon. End of story!!!