Ezra Klein: This Word, It Does Not Mean What You Think It Means

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January 25, 2005

This Word, It Does Not Mean What You Think It Means

PZ Myers is right: if evolution is a religion, religion is no longer a word with a recognizable meaning. That's what's so confusing to me about that rebuttal; do creationists really want to argue that religion is nothing more than a way of explaining certain portions and conditions of reality? I would think they'd want something in there about spirituality or the divine, but in the rush to counter science they seem to be quickly devaluing their own beliefs. Although it is pretty funny to see such absolutists turn to ardent relativists in moments of need...

January 25, 2005 in Science | Permalink

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I just had to take note of the fact that when the two big dogs of Pandagon split amicably, it foretells a great future for Ezra Klein's new blog when he begins one of his earliest posts with these words: PZ Myers is right And now, unfortunately,... [Read More]

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Comments

Myers!

Posted by: Ginger Yellow | Jan 25, 2005 1:06:37 PM

Panda gone! Good luck with the post-pandagon site, Ezra!

Posted by: Jinx | Jan 25, 2005 1:28:52 PM

If you want to be as anal as me about the exact quote, it's "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Posted by: Haggai | Jan 25, 2005 2:01:09 PM

There is a long and well-established tradition of misspelling my name. It's actually a standing joke on talk.origins, where there is an informal competition to generate the most outlandish possible spelling...

Posted by: PZ Myers | Jan 25, 2005 2:58:47 PM

Pharyngulans everywhere praise you. And, no, Pharyngula aint a religion either.

Posted by: Desert Donkey | Jan 25, 2005 4:01:26 PM

All hail Pharnygula and PJ Mieghers!

Posted by: ~DS~ | Jan 25, 2005 4:23:02 PM

DD, if pharyngula ain't a religion, does this mean we're calling off the throw-a-virgin-into-a-volcano party next weekend?

Posted by: gwangi | Jan 25, 2005 4:51:31 PM

Party had to be called off. Where we found a virgin, there was no volcano. By the time the partiers found a volcano, no virgin.

Posted by: Ed Darrell | Jan 25, 2005 5:23:32 PM

Whoa, that was weird. I mean, I liked it, but weird. If it happens again, I''m officially terming you all the Pharyngula faction.

Posted by: Ezra | Jan 25, 2005 5:35:42 PM

Ezra, we will wear the moniker proudly. Thanks for noticing. More than likely the virgins are squids though, as our some Pharyngulans. Yes, Pee Z MyEars provides sea porn. Vist Pharyngula to find out more.

Posted by: Desert Donkey | Jan 25, 2005 6:01:37 PM

Wait a second, I thought we were believers in blind chance and naturalism? Or was it communism/nazism? C'mon now, are we a religion, a government, a floor wax, or a dessert topping, or not?

Posted by: ~DS~ | Jan 25, 2005 6:54:31 PM

Creationists will accuse us seculars as believing in evolution, when in fact it is that rather than our believing in evolution, we DON'T believe in creationism/literalism.....it exposes THEIR need for an absolute. Truth is, I think, that our origins are a mystery, on which light will be spread from time to time, just enough to entice to dig further into the mystery. And its fun digging.

Posted by: Steve Mudge | Jan 25, 2005 9:05:22 PM

I like the sound of the "Pharyngula faction".

Posted by: WolverineTom | Jan 25, 2005 11:22:33 PM

Anyone up for a little panspermia?

Posted by: The Dark Avenger | Jan 27, 2005 2:33:41 AM

This didn't answer my question: why does it hurt when I pee? Come on now, I need to know!!

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