I have a MISSION for all heathens across America for November 19. Please watch the following video: (it’s 6 minutes long)
Pharyngula wrote about this the other night and noted that the giveaway is now 100,000 books at 100 universities, that Darwin’s text will remain intact, and the 50 page foreword will be rewritten to be more fair to atheists. (Does that mean it will be 50 blank pages?)
Here’s what I would love to see happen:
- Atheists, heathens, skeptics and science lovers go to the universities where these books are being given out, kindly receive the free book and walk away.
- (The next bit is optional) Then meet the other local atheists, walk back to the people giving the books away en masse, and quietly and politely rip out the intro, throw it in the trash and smile.
- (The next bit is also optional) Then get into a friendly debate with the Comfort/Cameron folks, always staying pleasant and friendly, but defeat them with logic, reason and science facts.
This would serve several purposes:
- It would keep the sullied copies of Darwin’s Origin of Species out of the hands of young people who are just learning to think a bit more critically and may not understand that the foreword is complete lies and bullshit
- It would make a statement
- It would show that Atheists CAN unite for a common cause, for one short afternoon, to do a good deed
- If the atheists are polite, friendly and well-spoken, it will show people that we are good, friendly people, not monsters.
- It will really upset Comfort and Cameron, which is great fun.
Here’s what you can do:
- Contact your local atheist/brights/freethinkers/skeptical/science/physics/logic/critical thinker, etc. group and talk to them about getting a group together to meet, receive a book, and perhaps make a statement with it en masse once you all have a copy.
- Help us find out what schools the books will be handed out at so we know where to go. I am not sure how to find this out.
- Go to your university on November 19 and at least get your copy of the book.
I think if possible (and yes, I know I’m publishing this to my blog), we would best be served if we kept this a bit quiet, at least for now. But spread the word, tell all your evolution-loving, blasphemous, hell-bound heathen friends and family about it.
We can disseminate information through here for now, so let us know if you have any ideas, suggestions and updates about the event, as well as if anyone can find out at which schools the books will be given out.
EDIT: Here is the pdf of Comfort’s 50 page foreword. I think this is the original one. When his revised version comes out, let me know so I can link it here!
Okay, good ideas. However, though I am personally an atheist, I see no reason why we should cooperate only with other atheists in this matter. There are loads of people out there that believe in god in some form or another but also understand, and “believe”, in evolution. Why isolate people when you can pool strength?
You don’t have to be atheist to recognize that creationism and I.D. are fundamentally incorrect and misguided.
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Neece Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Yes, I agree with you! That’s why I suggested contacting any organization that values reason, critical thinking and science. I named several above, but that was just a small sampling.
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It would be very satisfying to get one or more copies of the book, cut/tear out the lies Comfort has inserted, and distribute the restored book to some needy student. What would be more satisfying would be to have untainted copies printed up (it is in the public domain so anybody can re-print it; that’s how Comfort can do what he’s doing) and have them sent out. Our publicity campaign could center around the fact that our books are truly free–free of charge and free of propaganda.
If only I had the money I’d do it in a heartbeat.
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Neece Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Well, as with most great ideas, money is a factor. I think the best thing we can do is to get as many of the tainted books as possible and tear out the offensive lies he has inserted.
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Buffy Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Another thing I’d love to do–if I came into the money–is print a bunch of Bibles (one that’s public domain) with a “special introduction”. Then give them away free. All the RRRW wingnuts have bee praising this idea of Comfort passing out Origin of the Species with his propaganda added to it. I’d love to see their reaction if altered Bibles were given away.
Maybe we could start a charitable foundation for it…
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Neece Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 1:11 am
I’ve heard this idea bandied about as well. It would be fun. In that vein, I’ve seen stickers that could be put on bibles, but you’d have to own the bible for it to not be vandalism. Again, this would require money, while my idea for showing up on November 19th is virtually free and easy enough for most people to participate in.
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Theists need to learn that the Origin of Species is outdated knowledge. They constantly try to attack the book like it will do them any good. Science doesn’t work like religion, we don’t follow a book written blindly, all our theories have evolved since then.
Aha, and there it is, the real reason why they can’t accept science… science is just another system that evolves.
Also, the origin of species is not the introduction of the centuries old theory of evolution, but of natural selection. You have Anaximander 2500 years ago talking about evolution even…
They need to keep their theories straight for that matter. Evolution and natural selection aren’t the same.
Alright, I’m done here. The book is shiny… do like, but I’m certain I won’t be able to get a copy even if I wanted one.
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Buffy Reply:
September 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Theists learn that atheists don’t “worship” (Satan, ourselves, etc), and that our “bible” isn’t The Origin of the Species? Theists learn the difference between evolution and abiogenisis? Perish the thought. That would require actual….learning.
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In the original video from Cameron and Comfort, at 3:23 Kirk says “This is a beautiful 304 page full color cover edition of Darwin’s famous Origin of Species book.”
I would assume this includes their 50 page intro, leaving only 254 pages for Origin. So this has to be an abridged version. Even if the 50 page intro does count against the 304 pages… Looking on Amazon, the shortest version of Origin I find is 336 pages; but most of them range from 480 to 576.
Since this really implies an abridged version, I’m wondering what they have eliminated from the book.
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Neece Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Yes, I am too, Johnny. I really wish some freethinkers and skeptics could get a hold of these books. Unfortunately they aren’t coming to my state at all, from what I hear.
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