curmudgeon
2007-07-19 02:15:21 UTC
Someone has evidently decided that the only way to halt the instruction and
research of evolutionary theory on the campus of the University of Colorado
in Boulder is to threaten any scientist who teach it, and any administrators
who allow them to do so.
That is not exactly the best sure-fire way to win converts to one's point of
view.
E-mails critical of evolution began showing up on the computers of some
professors earlier this month.
Then, a week ago, someone slid anti-evolution materials under the doors for
laboratories and offices at CU's Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Department.
Late last week, CU police began investigating threatening e-mails that some
CU faculty members and administrators had received.
Among other things, the e-mails reportedly made reference to killing people
who support evolutionary theory.
The e-mail author said those who teach evolution are "the source of every
imaginable evil in our society," according to an Associated Press story.
He or She compared those teachers to child molesters and mentioned one
pastor's message that talked about killing "the enemies of Christian
society."
Authorities did not name anyone responsible for the e-mails.
However, a Web site that tracks and refutes arguments of ant-evolutionists,
*The Panda's Thumb* said the e-mails were believed to have come from a man
who has a history of confronting CU professors about evolution.
He has barged into classrooms and sent a variety of e-mails over the past
year.
One lone crazy person does not represent everyone who disputes Charles
Darwin's theory on evolution, but believes that the Holy Bible is the only
true story of creation.
But he does represent a disturbing and increasing trend in this country and
around the world.
When people cannot win victories for their cause through reasoned debate,
they resort to intimidation and even violence.
Here's hoping that this person or group is stopped before they take the next
step.
"There are no enemies in science just anomalies"
research of evolutionary theory on the campus of the University of Colorado
in Boulder is to threaten any scientist who teach it, and any administrators
who allow them to do so.
That is not exactly the best sure-fire way to win converts to one's point of
view.
E-mails critical of evolution began showing up on the computers of some
professors earlier this month.
Then, a week ago, someone slid anti-evolution materials under the doors for
laboratories and offices at CU's Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Department.
Late last week, CU police began investigating threatening e-mails that some
CU faculty members and administrators had received.
Among other things, the e-mails reportedly made reference to killing people
who support evolutionary theory.
The e-mail author said those who teach evolution are "the source of every
imaginable evil in our society," according to an Associated Press story.
He or She compared those teachers to child molesters and mentioned one
pastor's message that talked about killing "the enemies of Christian
society."
Authorities did not name anyone responsible for the e-mails.
However, a Web site that tracks and refutes arguments of ant-evolutionists,
*The Panda's Thumb* said the e-mails were believed to have come from a man
who has a history of confronting CU professors about evolution.
He has barged into classrooms and sent a variety of e-mails over the past
year.
One lone crazy person does not represent everyone who disputes Charles
Darwin's theory on evolution, but believes that the Holy Bible is the only
true story of creation.
But he does represent a disturbing and increasing trend in this country and
around the world.
When people cannot win victories for their cause through reasoned debate,
they resort to intimidation and even violence.
Here's hoping that this person or group is stopped before they take the next
step.
"There are no enemies in science just anomalies"