(Return to my home page) : Blog Home : April 2005
The Amoebas Went In Two By Two...
April 18, 2005 00:00
I have a question that I don't think literal 6-day creationists and other Biblical literalists have answered. Did Noah take a sample of every germ and disease onto the ark? Did he take two of every parasite? Presumably if all illnesses and parasites were represented, they would have decimated the living things on the ark. But if they were not taken onto the ark, then how do we explain their existence in the world today?
It seems that only one answer makes any sense: EVOLUTION! :-)
A Majority with a Persecuted Minority Complex
April 27, 2005 00:00
Between the recent incident in which David Horowitz got a pie in the face, and the inviting of Bob Funk to speak at graduation, there have been many expressions on campus of the opinion that Butler has a liberal bias. On the one hand, if one is talking about the opinions of most faculty, particularly in the humanities and liberal arts, then there is of course some truth to that - but that's just a nationwide trend regarding who tends to go into this line of work, and has nothing specific to do with Butler.
If, on the other hand, what is being alleged is that conservatives are a persecuted minority on campus, then it seems appropriate to point out just how ridiculous that assertion is. For one thing, Indiana is a red state, and most students on campus are conservative, Christian (of some description), and Republican.
Conservatives in America are a problematic bunch, because when their viewpoint is not adopted as the official viewpoint of an institution or encoded in the laws of a state or the nation, they complain about liberal bias and claim they are being persecuted. Yet when they have the opportunity, they quite clearly seek to impose their views on others in blatant disregard for the Constitution. Just look at the way conservatives have created controversy about the teaching of evolution (with the result that, even though they were unable to have it eliminated from science curriculums, many teachers nevertheless skip it because of the fear of controversy). Just look at the way issues relating to gay rights are dealt with here in Indiana and in many other places around the nation.
You simply cannot have it both ways. Either you believe that minorities should not be persecuted, whether that minority is the creationists or the scientists, the Democrats or the Republicans, the conservatives or the liberals, the Christians, Jews, African-Americans, homosexuals, sky divers or Star Wars fans. Recent statements about gay rights have complained about judges and others disregarding the views of the minority. This one-sided view of majority rule ignores the fact that the Bill of Rights and much else in the laws of this country aims not just to listen to the majority, but also to protect minorities.
So which is it? Is it wrong for David Horowitz to get a pie in the face? If so, then why is it not equally wrong for minorities to get verbal 'pies in the face'? David Horowitz' extremist views are, thankfully, a minority viewpoint. Even so, they should have their place. The problem with the typical American conservative is that they appeal to this principle and the relevant laws only in their own defense, but not in the defense of those they disagree with. But if democracy and freedom are to be preserved, then rights must be granted broadly and fairly.
As for Bob Funk, he has been invited to campus first and foremost because he is a famous Butler graduate. His views are controversial, and there are plenty of opinions and scholarly conclusions that Funk and I do not share in common. But that has nothing to do with the question of whether Funk has done something important, something that deserves the recognition of the institution from which he graduated. As graduation 2005 approaches, I hope that, whatever their political, religious, or sexual persuasion, those graduating will go on to do things that both they and Butler can be proud of, and be invited back to campus themselves.
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