Wednesday, March 26, 2014

#972: Ray Mummert


Ray Mummert is a Pennsylvania pastor and creationist, and an ardent roadie for the side against reason during the 2006 Kitzmiller v. Dover trial. A staunch creationist, Mummert defended the schoolboard’s decision to teach creationism (under the header “intelligent design”) – which was supposed to be neutral with respect to religion, mind – by pointing out that “if we continue to indoctrinate our young people with non-religious principles, we’re headed for an internal destruction of this society” (he probably didn’t help their case, in other words). Mummert’s levels of erudition are clearly on display in his argument that “evolution is just a theory and there are other theories,” which is followed by “there is such a complexity in life, and science wants to hang its hat on a belief that life somehow started – they say there is no creator, no order [no, he has not the faintest clue about what evolution entails or requires] ... I believe there is a creator.” It is amazing how many misconceptions about evolution creationists like Mummert manage to put into a few sentences.

His main claim to fame, however, rests with his extraordinarily pertinent diagnosis of the battle over creationism. “We’ve been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of the culture,” Mummert said, adding that the school board’s declaration is just a first step in the counteroffensive.

Kinda says all that needs saying. A similar, more disconcerting assessment, is made by one Houston Friend here.

Diagnosis: You go get’em, Ray.

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