DISCLAIMER: Okay, reddit is going nuts over this posting’s title. Listen, I’m not out to get anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings, unless you’re a creationist. The term “Hillbilly Science” is in no way intended to reflect poorly on inhabitants of the American South. If you take the title as a specific attack against Caucasians originating from Appalachia, you are seriously mistaken.
A July 16th 2010 article on the NCSE website discusses the findings of a recent Angus Reid Poll on evolution and creationism.
Respondents were from the United States, Great Britain and Canada. The results of the poll are predictable:
“Acceptance of evolution in the United States was lowest in the South (27%, as opposed to 51% accepting creationism) and highest in the Northeast (43%, as opposed to 38% accepting creationism). In Canada, acceptance of creationism was highest in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (39%, as opposed to 50% accepting evolution) and Alberta (31%, as opposed to 51% accepting evolution). In Great Britain, acceptance of creationism was highest in London (25%, as opposed to 58% accepting evolution).”
Nearly 3/4ths of the population in the southern United States rejects evolution. We shouldn’t be concerned about numbers like this, we should be alarmed.
Andrew Hall
July 18, 2010 at 8:41 am
What I find disturbing is that only 43% of the people in the Northeast know evolution is real.
http://laughinginpurgatory.blogspot.com/
aerimus13
July 18, 2010 at 8:59 am
I am an Southerner and and atheist. Do you want to win more people to your side of the argument? Then stop using divisive and vindictive monikers. Your headline does nothing but alienate any reasonable person who reads it. I do find it sad that this survey show that only 27 percent of Southerners see the merits of evolution but I am not about to go implying that people are stupid and inbred because they have not developed their reasoning capacity. It is this type of militate diatribe that shuts down the dialog. But then again I think that is want you want to do, isn’t it?
godlessmonster
July 18, 2010 at 9:11 am
That’s right.
They are a danger to the national security and to the future of mankind in general. They deserve to be ridiculed. Loudly, publicly and often. Those who push this agenda of theirs are well-financed, numerous and powerful, yet you have an issue with the under-represented underdog speaking out against these assclowns with anger and derision? Militant? They are the ones in charge! They are the ones who dictate! Bizarre that you feel these fucks need to be defended.
Win people to my side? Are you fucking kidding? That will NEVER happen. They won’t listen to reason.
godlessmonster
July 18, 2010 at 9:43 am
Make a distinction in your own mind, if you could between speaking OF the enemy and speaking TO the enemy.
If I’m speaking TO the enemy, I’m propagandizing in one way. If I’m speaking OF the enemy, I’m propagandizing in another way.
This isn’t some game to me. BTW, note that I marked your comment UP…not down.
Andrew Hall
July 18, 2010 at 10:33 am
aerimus13 doesn’t like the joke.
There are always folks who don’t like a particular joke.
godlessmonster
July 18, 2010 at 10:37 am
I know, but it wasn’t meant as a slam against people, but a way of thinking. I’m not going to pull the posting and I’m not going to change the title. I stand by what I wrote. I’m upset that he’s upset, but I didn’t write anything racist or wrong.
Baconsbud
July 18, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I disagree with your point. I am from a hillbilly state and think you are reading way to much into his title. I know plenty of people who are proud of the term hillbilly and they actually feel they are smart. You seem to be one of those people that buy into all the bullshit said by the media and religious sources. I very much doubt you have ever lived any where that is truly isolated. I think he is right that many hillbillies are ignorant about science and they need to be properly educated about evolution.
godlessmonster
July 18, 2010 at 2:52 pm
And honestly…I wasn’t referring to people. I was referring to an attitude, an approach, a frame of mind, a mind set, a worldview…but not to any people.
Mark
July 18, 2010 at 9:13 am
To be quite honest, I don’t see how any sane person could accept creationism as an explanation of the origin of the universe, the Earth and all its living components.
Even if one does not accept evolution, creationism is not even a likely alternative.
godlessmonster
July 18, 2010 at 9:17 am
It’s magic, plain and simple.
Trace
July 19, 2010 at 2:52 pm
We don’t seem to have hillbillies in central new York. Rednecks.. a few. Some even have stickers saying ” proud to be a redneck”. Is that bad?
godlessmonster
July 19, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Redneck…yeah, that’s not a good thing.
Actually, on my mother’s side (remember, I’m a half-breed), the family has roots in the hills of West Virginia. Yes, I am descended from hillbillies. Even funnier, is that on my father’s side, his people are considered to be backwards hill folks in comparison to those from north Lebanon. Lebanese hillbillies, ha ha ha!!!
Looks like I’ve got the genetic deck stacked against me, eh?