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Did you get a copy of The Origin from Ray Comfort?

Category: Creationism
Posted on: November 18, 2009 2:14 PM, by PZ Myers

Then take a picture of yourself with it and send it to Eric Michael Johnson. I think he's going to put up a collage of smirking evilutionists with Comfort's folly.

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Comments

#1

Posted by: tufts student | November 18, 2009 2:20 PM

I'm asking around but no one has seen any book giveaways here at tufts, despite us being #29 on the list. I'm going to ask some faculty members... maybe Dennett has an idea.

#2

Posted by: PZ Myers Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 2:22 PM

A dangerous idea?

None at UM Morris, either, but I didn't really expect to get any here -- we have under 2K students, and he was clearly taking aim at Big PR opportunities.

#3

Posted by: Lana | November 18, 2009 2:24 PM

I'm sorry my son's college isn't on the list. He's excellent at smirking. (I must admit I'm looking forward to having his smirking, surly, sullen self home for Thanksgiving.)

I like alliteration.

#4

Posted by: Connor | November 18, 2009 2:25 PM

"Comfort's folly"

You bring a smile to my face.

#5

Posted by: vhutchison | November 18, 2009 2:26 PM

A Strategy Against Banana Boy's book:

Although the University of Oklahoma was not on the list of colleges given by Comfort, two men were here today passing out the books. As soon as this was discovered, word was rapidly spread to biology departments and faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduates rushed out to get copies to keep them from going to unsuspecting students.

The men distributing the books had one suitcase and one back pack full of books. We know of at least several dozen volumes that were acquired by Comfort opponents. By noon the two men were gone, hopefully not to return. If they do, those on our side are ready to grsb more. The men would not reveal who they represented. One just said 'I am just an individual,' as we could
readily see.

If it is not too late, perhaps other campuses can do the same and get many volumes out of circulation.

#6

Posted by: antybu86 | November 18, 2009 2:31 PM

I got two copies of it at the Twin Cities campus.

#7

Posted by: Casey | November 18, 2009 2:32 PM

I did get a copy and I will send a picture. They are handing them out all over the University of Florida. As I looked around everybody was holding one. This is a well financed operation. I have great optimism in the intelligence of the students here.

#8

Posted by: Ryan Null | November 18, 2009 2:34 PM

The University of Texas at Austin has been struck! They started distributing at about 10am local time and ran out about 12:30.

#9

Posted by: Alex | November 18, 2009 2:41 PM

Indeed we have. I picked up one book at the University of Texas; others I know got about five. I'll see if we can't get a group picture with our books.

Also, I'll try to collect people's accounts of what happened (there was a guy with a megaphone trying to argue with any evolutionists around, and I had an hourlong discussion with a minister afterward) and make a blog post about it in a few days. It might be interesting.

#10

Posted by: Dylan from WashU | November 18, 2009 2:41 PM

http://i46.tinypic.com/29fdvmw.jpg
Reporting in from Washington University in St. Louis! There were people arguing with the creationist on 2 out of 3 encounters. They should know better than to do this at a research university.

#11

Posted by: tufts student | November 18, 2009 2:42 PM

"A dangerous idea?"

Haw, PZ. Haw.

Actually I giggled a bit.

#12

Posted by: Stan | November 18, 2009 2:44 PM

University of Colorado at Boulder had them aplenty -- I got one, and spent about two and a half hours discussing Jesusism with a couple of the ne'er-do-wells. I was filmed and photographed, but I don't know by whom or for what nefarious purpose...

They were the subject of much amusement in my Logic course (which I attended), and would have been in my Physics courses... but I skipped them.

--
Stan

#13

Posted by: Luis Miguel Luna | November 18, 2009 2:48 PM

Wandered around U of R from about 1 to 3, didn't see anyone. I even went to their interfaith chapel and asked some of the secretaries if they'd heard anything. I was probably just too late.

#14

Posted by: kiki | November 18, 2009 2:50 PM

I got 2 copies! Thanks for the heads up!

(University of Utah)

#15

Posted by: abb3w Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 2:50 PM

Unrelated: Poll to play with; note you may check multiple options.

#16

Posted by: Sesu | November 18, 2009 2:51 PM

They were at Emory.

Any students who got a copy can swap it for an evolution t-shirt from the PBEE grad students in the biology dept or come by to pick up some info about Ray Comfort and his introduction.

#17

Posted by: EMJ Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 2:51 PM

None at the University of British Columbia either. But they might be handing some out at Carl Zimmer's talk tonight. I posted my e-mail address at my blog entry (primatediaries [at] gmail [dot] com) so people can send them along, but I can also grab any shots that are posted in the comments here.

Happy creationist hunting!


#18

Posted by: Aaron Golas | November 18, 2009 2:54 PM

I found them at MIT, right outside Building 7. Did my part in picking up a piece of trash off the street... my wife's out about Cambridge collecting copies today, cor bless 'er.

#19

Posted by: KA | November 18, 2009 2:55 PM

Nobody at Carnegie Mellon. Guess we aren't important enough- too bad, I wanted a copy.

#20

Posted by: Clare | November 18, 2009 2:55 PM

They are at University of Washington too. One copy already wasted on a stalwart evolutionist that I know. It would be great if more swap initiatives were started so as to end up with something actually useful ... unless there are other good ideas of how best to use such a waste of paper.

#21

Posted by: Buckk | November 18, 2009 3:01 PM

I didn't see any around Harvard this afternoon. Hope I didn't miss them!

#22

Posted by: tubi Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:06 PM

Swaps are actually excellent idea. Whether for T-shirts, or real editions of The Origin, or even bananas. I'd love to see hundreds of photos of individuals and groups eating bananas and pretending to read Comfort's tripe.

Although photos of folks eating tripe and reading Comfort's banana...wait that's not good at all.

#23

Posted by: BlueIndependent Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:06 PM

I called my sister at U of I to see if she could locate any books. It appears there's no sign of them on that campus, at least not today. She couldn't find anything about the giveaway let alone any books.

Maybe RC is playing a bit of chess and only have a few universities give away today, and the rest tomorrow? Any further word on the list of Us growing?

#24

Posted by: Justin N | November 18, 2009 3:06 PM

I've seen a couple of copies floating about at UC Riverside, despite us not being on the list, but I wouldn't say we've been swarmed. I have yet to see anyone handing them out. (If I had, I'd be next to them with the NCSE flyers.)

This is the most schizophrenic book I've ever seen... the entire back cover attempts to disprove it's central thesis.

BTW, tried to sign in via TypePad... miserable failure.

#25

Posted by: DVMKurmes | November 18, 2009 3:07 PM

My wife, daughter and I kept circling back and got 12 copies at Northern Arizona University.

#26

Posted by: NewEnglandBob Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:08 PM

My son scoured the Princeton campus this afternoon (Wednesday) and did NOT find any Comfort "fundagelicals".

#27

Posted by: Joey | November 18, 2009 3:17 PM

What?! They do have it at the twin cities campus? Damnit! My class there isn't until 6pm tonight(I'm on 3 diff campuses for 2 diff schools right now, bleh, it's hell). I hope they are still giving some out!

#28

Posted by: antybu86 | November 18, 2009 3:21 PM

@ #27

They already ran out.

#29

Posted by: stephenjjohnson | November 18, 2009 3:22 PM

I didn't come in till lunchtime today so probably missed the rush but I did score a copy on my way to work at the University of Kansas.

Skimmed Comfort's intro - looking forward to reading it for light relief later.

#30

Posted by: Glen Davidson Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:24 PM

NYU responds to the giveaway, asks for choice quotes from the dolt:

As college students, we are amongst the most vulnerable to be “brainwashed by Atheistic evolution” and our Atheist professors with their evil ways and deep-seated desire to destroy American moral fiber. But it’s not too late to save ourselves! Just pick up a copy of Darwin’s totally butchered book today.

Unfortunately, we swung by to grab one and marvel at the ridiculousness only to find that we’d missed our opportunity for salvation. If you managed to get your hands on a copy, leave your favorite quotes in the comments.

Another link, including the Christina (iirc) video, in case anyone wants to hear and see her sneering at Banana Boy Kirk again:

http://www.dane101.com/current/2009/11/18/150_years_fighting_for_acceptance_the_origin_of_the_species

Appropriate responses so far.

Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p

#31

Posted by: Blake Stacey Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:27 PM

P-Zed, evilutionary superscientist:

A dangerous idea?

I see what you did there.

#32

Posted by: Techskeptic Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:29 PM

None at RPI that I could find. I can't go tomorrow to check again. Sad.

#33

Posted by: TimJohnsonMN Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 3:29 PM

@Joey #27 Where's your class at 6? I'm on campus late today, maybe I can help you out. I have an extra yet.

#34

Posted by: Goheels | November 18, 2009 3:43 PM

I haven't seen them around here at UNC today, although I just got back from work and will be going to class around 5, so perhaps there is hope.

#35

Posted by: Cappy | November 18, 2009 3:44 PM

Apparently they are here at the University of Kansas. I'm getting as many as I can.

#36

Posted by: Eric | November 18, 2009 3:46 PM

I would trade in the book for a Ray Comfort Special (chocolate banana covered in nuts) in a heartbeat!

#37

Posted by: zer0 | November 18, 2009 3:47 PM

Checking in from the University of Kentucky here! Here's a couple of shots with my spanking new copy of Origin. It's not a bad printing of it after I did a little surgery to remove a cancerous lump. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b353/zerogutter/Comfort%20Origin/

#38

Posted by: drgn17 | November 18, 2009 3:51 PM

They were at Iowa as well. To me it appeared that most students taking the book already had a smirk on their face, I even heard a few chuckles as people walked by the people passing them out. They were there for a few hours from about 10-12 I'm guessing.

#39

Posted by: tufts student | November 18, 2009 3:52 PM

looked around campus twice-- library, student services building, campus center, bookstore, academic quad, dining halls... no where. It seems that they only went to MIT, no Tufts or Harvard... :/

#40

Posted by: eric | November 18, 2009 3:52 PM

He sent a copy to Dawkins in a gift basket. :)

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=116413

#41

Posted by: kiki | November 18, 2009 3:52 PM

Question. Besides the introduction the rest of the book is unaltered right?

#42

Posted by: Andrea | November 18, 2009 3:53 PM

It seems that Comfort's list doesn't really correlate to who's actually getting the books. I'm at the University of Colorado, and we got pummelled by them, while my boyfriend at UIUC reports a complete dearth of creationist crazy.

Still, I'll be happy to post my smirking face in response.

#43

Posted by: SantaCruzOM (this OM does not signify a molly) | November 18, 2009 3:55 PM

I've asked a friend to check out Florida State University's campus for the comfortistas. So far no word, but I've instructed him to collect as many copies as possible if he does encounter them.

#44

Posted by: Stan | November 18, 2009 3:56 PM

@42

Where are you? I'm gleefully looking for updates from inside 'The Connection' in the UMC. We should compare stories of idiocy.

--
Stan

#45

Posted by: shane | November 18, 2009 3:58 PM

i actually got several copies at the university of utah and have been handing them out around the philosophy department. The intro is a kick so far....

#46

Posted by: Goheels | November 18, 2009 4:01 PM

Rumor has it the inclement weather scared them away early here ate UNC. Perhaps we'll see them again tomorrow.

#47

Posted by: PMH | November 18, 2009 4:02 PM

I dashed out before my office hours to see if anyone was giving away copies here at UCLA. I didn't find any books, but there was a mustachioed Australian man arguing with a student about religion. There were about 30 students watching.

On a hunch, I image searched on Ray Comfort. Indeed it was the man himself. No books though, perhaps they ran out?

#48

Posted by: madcap Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 4:04 PM

Theirs 3 goons here at cal poly pomona in Ca handing them out.So pathetic..

#49

Posted by: Steve | November 18, 2009 4:12 PM

BC was on the list, but despite scouring the campus I couldn't find any. Hopefully they'll be here tomorrow, I'm going to keep looking. I want to see firsthand how stupid this is. And, BC being Catholic, we really need to fight the stupid here...

#50

Posted by: Blake Stacey Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 4:26 PM

tufts student:

They were at Harvard, too — I got a copy just outside the Holyoke Gate.

#51

Posted by: Benjamin Franklin | November 18, 2009 4:29 PM

Greg Laden shall be forevermore vilified by the creotards as a "book-burner"

See all the lunacy at World Nut Daily and come back, but no more talk of pyrotechnics, please.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=116413

#52

Posted by: Wes | November 18, 2009 4:30 PM

I'm at Indiana University, Bloomington. According to US News we're in the top 100, but I roamed around campus for an hour or so this afternoon and didn't see them anywhere. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough, though. Any other Hoosiers out there see them?

#53

Posted by: ThirdMonkey | November 18, 2009 4:32 PM

Ah! I wanted to swing by the UW to pick up a copy but I'm stuck in meetings all afternoon. :(
Darn you Comfort! If you hadn't changed the date I could've been there.

#54

Posted by: cathy Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 4:36 PM

They are here at Syracuse now...

#55

Posted by: ddpej | November 18, 2009 4:40 PM

I wandered around campus looking for anything that might be a book giveaway. I even checked all the classic bible-handout corners. No sign of the traveling circus anywhere, though I'll check again tomorrow. I'm not expecting much -- Michigan State doesn't appear to be on the list. A pity, really.

#56

Posted by: vhutchison | November 18, 2009 4:42 PM

Get as many folks as possible to get copies that would otherwise go to unaware students! This seems to be working well nationwide! They could be back on 19th,the date originally set for distribution. Perhaps they did this early to avoid some planned opposition?

#57

Posted by: Acronym Jim | November 18, 2009 4:44 PM

Are we allowed to photograph ourselves with the book while displaying the "shocker" sign, or would that be inappriopriate (rather than ironically apropos)?

#58

Posted by: Sara | November 18, 2009 4:45 PM

They were around the red brick perimeter of Harvard Yard. I made my way around and picked up three copies while handing out "Why Ray Comfort Is Wrong" fliers (courtesy of the Don't Diss Darwin website).

One woman wouldn't give me a copy of the book once she realized what I was doing and engaged me in conversation. As we were talking a young girl came up to us to see what was going on. Banana Woman tried to start her schtick but I quickly told the girl: "The introduction says evolution is false," and she was all: "Uh... *I* believe in evolution..." and meekly backed away. So, I made Banana Lady lose a customer. Ha.

#59

Posted by: Acronym Jim | November 18, 2009 4:46 PM

Minor clarification:

Inappriopriate = appropriate

Ironically = sarcastically

#60

Posted by: Jessica | November 18, 2009 4:46 PM

Unfortunately, they weren't coming to any colleges in the southern parts of Florida and I won't make it to Gainesville until next week. However, if anyone in the UF/Gainesville area is willing to snag me an extra copy I will pay for shipping or pick it up personally next week and maybe even treat you to lunch! =) (Depending on the ability to get away from my family for extended periods of time).

#61

Posted by: Cappy | November 18, 2009 4:48 PM

I'm back! Got one copy and I have some minions trying to get more. My desk has a short leg and I need to prop it up. I had some words with the folks passing them out. Man, the Zombification is on thick.

#62

Posted by: Shamar | November 18, 2009 4:49 PM

Damn it, I missed it! They were on my campus this morning, but I had an exam in five minutes and didn't have time to stop....I checked later and they were gone :-(

I'd still love one as a souvenir, if anyone has an extra copy that they don't want :-)

http://bit.ly/RuUcx

#63

Posted by: apple | November 18, 2009 4:54 PM

Since my copy of The Origins is good enough, I recycled the two books I got from them.

If I may go on a green rant, I thought it was mindless of them to waste good paper on gibberish. There are so many other uses for those paper and ink. Have they no shame in that they are wasting resources?

#64

Posted by: SAntaCruzOM - this OM does not signify a molly:-( | November 18, 2009 4:57 PM

Jessica @ #59,

I'll happily send you a copy if my buddy is able to score a couple at FSU. I'm yet to hear back from him though.

#65

Posted by: Coyote Bongwater | November 18, 2009 5:00 PM

No sign of them at Northeastern State University (Oklahoma), although that's to be expected as we weren't on the list.

#66

Posted by: Jessica | November 18, 2009 5:01 PM

#64

Oh, I'd love one.... but from browsing all of the supposed lists online, I never saw FSU as a school receiving any books. If that's not the case, though, I'd be forever in your debt! =)

#67

Posted by: Ali Marie | November 18, 2009 5:08 PM

They have been here at University of Chicago all day. They seem to be taking shifts, as no fewer than 3 different have offered me books. And they ask so nicely- who was I to say no? So, my Triceratops and Archaeopteryx and T-rex are now happily posing in photos with the books, just to prove the first 50 pages absolutely wrong.

I'm proud of my classmates. Most of them said "No thanks," or took a copy, read the first couple pages, and rolled their eyes, or took a copy and laughed hysterically when I told them that it had a creationist introduction. No one I saw with a copy is taking it seriously.

#68

Posted by: kopd | November 18, 2009 5:14 PM

I wish they were coming here. If they're giving out the unabridged version I could remove the intro and have a complete copy of Origins. But I guess Kansas isn't librul enough to need their attention. I'll keep an eye out on Craigslist.

#69

Posted by: Alex | November 18, 2009 5:15 PM

the lady handing them out at UCB had her 3 kids with her. They were all spewing creationist bull. It was sad...

She also handed out hundred dollar bills with Obama's face on them...

no one at my school was taking her seriously

#70

Posted by: Evets Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 5:18 PM

I'll post this in this thread too to be safe.

If you have an extra copy that you're willing to part with, I'm willing to pay for shipping to me.

Contact me about this.

alchemist60 at gmail dot com

#71

Posted by: SantaCruzOM - this OM does not signify a molly:-( | November 18, 2009 5:23 PM

Jessica #66,

Bad news. My buddy at the geologic survey was unable to find any of the comfort nuts roaming around campus. Disappointing, as I was really hoping to get a copy. On the bright side, maybe this means that no FSU students were poisoned by Ray's banana juice cocktail.

Good luck in finding one - I'm sure someone will come through for you.

#72

Posted by: deadjerusalem Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 5:27 PM

I got 3 of them

#73

Posted by: Lori | November 18, 2009 5:29 PM

I snagged a copy here at U of South Carolina.
When they ran out they started handing out million dollar bills with the "million dollar question" on them (Are you going to heaven?).

#74

Posted by: Gruesome Rob | November 18, 2009 5:30 PM

None at RPI that I could find. I can't go tomorrow to check again. Sad.

So the rebranding failed? Back when I was there, they were trying pretty hard to replace RPI with Rensselaer.

One of my classmates back then was a fundie, yet a bio major. I still don't get that one.

#75

Posted by: cat | November 18, 2009 5:41 PM

They're passing out tons of copies here at Berkeley. My roommate and I picked up 9 copies. It was really easy; just get a group of friends together and keep going back to different people passing them out :) Alternatively, you can take off your sweatshirt and ask the same person for another copy. All us atheists look the same to them.

#76

Posted by: Thedepressingstatistician | November 18, 2009 5:52 PM

Nabbed one.
Pretty clever of him to preempt the counterprotests, I'll give him that. Dishonest, but clever.

#77

Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 5:57 PM

but there was a mustachioed Australian man arguing with a student about religion

Argh. He's a New Zealander, dammit! ;))

Ken Ham is embarrasing enough, we don't need more indignity heaped upon us...

#78

Posted by: Steve in Dublin | November 18, 2009 5:57 PM

So... how long will we have to wait before one of you kindly scans the intro in or transcribes portions of it so we can descend upon it and tear it to shreds in our typical piranha-like frenzy?

#79

Posted by: Thedepressingstatistician | November 18, 2009 6:02 PM

Jessica, FSU had them out in front of Strozier on Landis green.

#80

Posted by: Glen Davidson | November 18, 2009 6:02 PM

Actually, SiD, it's been available on the web for quite some time:

http://assets.livingwaters.com/pdf/OriginofSpecies.pdf

Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p

#81

Posted by: cat | November 18, 2009 6:04 PM

@ Steve #78,

Oh, it's already been torn to incomprehensible shreds. The Banana Man posted the intro long before the books were passed out. Check his website. Or even better: DontDissDarwin.com

#82

Posted by: Steve in Dublin | November 18, 2009 6:13 PM

Glen, cat, thanks. Off for a little read...

#83

Posted by: Ali Marie | November 18, 2009 6:19 PM

@#41

It's abridged. The whole thing, including 50 page introduction, is only 298 pages. An unabridged version is over 500 pages long. The chapters on biogeography take up about a page- 3 pages each.

It's not a perfectly good copy of Origin. The question is just how mutilated it is.

#84

Posted by: Spencer Fern | November 18, 2009 6:30 PM

I was at the UCLA event today. I met both Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, and had a good time arguing with them.

I wrote a brief summary, and posted it on my site.

No ads, spam, etc. Just some pictures and my text. I'll certainly consider letting someone use the photos; Ray's people certainly took a bunch of video/pictures of me!

#85

Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 6:39 PM

"Abridged"!!???

Methinks 'mutilated' would be a better word, by the sounds of that.
What value is a chapter jammed into one or three pages?

#86

Posted by: fly44d | November 18, 2009 6:41 PM

My daughter at San Jose State got one and it isn't on the list of campuses.

#87

Posted by: bug_girl | November 18, 2009 6:46 PM

They were at both Michigan State and Univ. of Michigan today. I was unable to score a copy though--everyone who got one wanted to keep it :(

#88

Posted by: deadjerusalem Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 6:47 PM

the type size is pretty small and all the chapters seem to be there. I'm still trying to figure out if there's actually anything missing.

#89

Posted by: InfuriatedSciTeacher | November 18, 2009 6:55 PM

What value is a chapter jammed into one or three pages?
#90

Posted by: Jarred C. Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 6:56 PM

I was pretty disappointed. By the time I got out of class, all the copies had already been handed out, and the creationists had left the campus.

Anyone near UC Davis happen to get an extra copy I could have?

#91

Posted by: InfuriatedSciTeacher Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 6:59 PM

hmm. it ate the rest of my comment above...
I was saying that the biogeography evidence is something that creationists don't have any good lies about, so they may have cut it (if they did) because they don't feel they can counter that part. I may be giving bananaman too much credit there...

#92

Posted by: Andrea | November 18, 2009 7:13 PM

@44 -- fellow Colorado guy!

You caught me just after I had to head to an entomology lab, unfortunately. I'm at the Library/Goat right now, though, and if you ever want to bother a fellow colorado atheist, I can be reached @ crumpetsfortea@livejournal.com.

#93

Posted by: Pen | November 18, 2009 7:16 PM

Just in case anyone didn't know - you can read the unabridged, unmutilated, version of Origin completely free of charge at various places around the web, including Gutenberg.

#94

Posted by: EB | November 18, 2009 7:19 PM

http://bwog.net/2009/11/18/lecturehop-you-mean-we-can-all-just-get-along

It would be nice to have the Pharyngula group correct this fallacious reasoning at Columbia University...Ray Comfort isn't our only problem on campuses.

#95

Posted by: Pen | November 18, 2009 7:19 PM

The Voyage of the Beagle is a better read, though. You'd have to be insane to use the Origin as a textbook on evolution in this day and age.

#96

Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 7:21 PM

I guess those interested can compare the Banannarized version to this pdf'd version to check out the extent of any mutilation:
Link to First Edition

That site has all the editions pdf'd IIRC.

#97

Posted by: Bjørn Østman | November 18, 2009 7:21 PM

Off-topic (apologies): Here's a poll that needs some serious crashing.

Since Gap has now included the word "Christmas" in a television ad (in a dismissive manner), should AFA call off the boycott of their stores?


Yes. Any reference to Christmas is good enough to me. 559

No. Gap has taken a disrespectful attitude towards Christians with its ad. 9,046

#98

Posted by: Glen Davidson Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 7:28 PM

We're being attacked by the uneducated and unintelligent sectors of our society! First Croco-Comfort, now Lee Ann Womack:

She even uses the bridge to denounce Darwin and his theories on evolution with "Science says it's all just circumstance/Like this whole world's just an accident/But if you want to shoot that theory down/Look around." Then she asks the simple questions of the chorus, "There is a God. How much proof do you need?"

http://blog.cmt.com/2009-11-18/lee-ann-womacks-god-song-makes-me-believe/

Yes, remember that, Lee, whenever a child dies of H1N1, and especially from malaria, God's special design for which he made humanity to feed that protozoan. For every asteroid that falls onto earth causing untold death, misery, and extinction, a malevolent god grows in the minds of theists.

Anyway, I thought it a nice complement to Ray's BS, perhaps the tritest nonsense evoked for god--just look around at this world totally lacking in design, and tell yourself that it must have all been planned by some senseless invisible being so that your simple ignorant mind will be satisfied without study or research into causes.

Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p

#99

Posted by: cat | November 18, 2009 7:34 PM

@ Steve #78,

Oh, it's already been torn to incomprehensible shreds. The Banana Man posted the intro long before the books were passed out. Check his website. Or even better: DontDissDarwin.com

#100

Posted by: Biology Blogger | November 18, 2009 7:40 PM

My brother goes to Columbia, but I doubt they will have the balls to go there.

#101

Posted by: Kevin | November 18, 2009 7:43 PM

I didn't get a book (I already have a real copy and I'd feel unclean just carrying Comfort's to the nearest recycling bin), but I did get a cool evolution t-shirt from our campus' secular organization.

#102

Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 7:48 PM

Bjorn (#97) - there is no correct answer on that poll as far as I can tell...
perhaps we're seeing them start to clue on to how to write a poll that's hard to Pharyngulise?

#103

Posted by: Theophage | November 18, 2009 8:02 PM

My girlfriend got a copy randomly, she didn't know what it was until I identified it. Going to make her give it to me later.

#104

Posted by: A. Noyd Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 8:19 PM

It seems that some of his sycophantic cheerleaders for ignorance are also celebrating today by giving five star ratings and retarded reviews to the version on Amazon. Maybe some of you lucky book winners could go rain on their parade of stupidity by writing up a review highlighting one or two of the lies in the introduction.

#105

Posted by: creeper | November 18, 2009 8:19 PM

Can anyone confirm that the copies distributed are actually missing chapters?

#106

Posted by: Jack Krebs | November 18, 2009 8:25 PM

For the record, Comfortites spotted at the University of Kansas and Washburn University in Topeka.

#107

Posted by: Ashley Paramore | November 18, 2009 8:25 PM

Well I got 4 copies. Fun fun. I'll be taking the pictures as well. ^_^

#108

Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 8:26 PM

Can anyone confirm that the copies distributed are actually missing chapters?
Some people reported 12 chapters, while other reported 14. The giveaway appears to be a mix of abridged and, perhaps, non-abridged. We are still awaiting that report.
#109

Posted by: A. Noyd Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 8:28 PM

creeper (#105)

Can anyone confirm that the copies distributed are actually missing chapters?

I've heard reports of both. I've also seen some people on Amazon bragging about how they personally bought some of the books to give away, so it's possible that some of the abridged ones are being distributed unofficially.

It would be interesting to find out if that's true, but I'm too lazy to follow up.

#110

Posted by: Serena | November 18, 2009 8:36 PM

I picked up four copies today at VCU. I gave one to my advisor in the bio department and the others will go on the shelf or will prop up a shaky table.

They were being handed out pretty indescriminately as far as I could tell. I only saw one or two people engaged in conversation as they took the book.

I expect to see them scattered about in the lecture halls and trash bins over the next few days.

#111

Posted by: Glen Davidson Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 8:41 PM

According the Gainsville Sun, a lot of students at the University of Florida saw the giveaway as deceptive and as propaganda:

English major Mark Jaskowki, 20, said he stopped when he saw a free book being given away at UF but was surprised when a volunteer told him that Darwin was a racist who was connected to the Nazis.

"I just said, 'OK, have a good day' and walked away," he said.

While the group claimed 170,000 copies of the book were distributed at 85 campuses, the California-based National Center for Science Education's Steven Newton said the number was much lower.

I included the part where the NCSE disputed the numbers claim made by the liars for Jesus, because that's been an interest of some commenters on at least one thread. What are the odds that we'll ever know how many were given away?

Low is what I suspect.

Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/mxaa3p

#112

Posted by: Steve Johnson | November 18, 2009 8:49 PM

Here's my service to society. I had to use my teeth.

#113

Posted by: Nerd of Redhead, OM Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 8:51 PM

I had to use my teeth.
My sympathy to your teeth...
#114

Posted by: rawnaeris Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 9:00 PM

I didn't see them at Tarleton State today, but we're not on the list and it's backwater Texas, so we aren't a threat...

That aside, as to whether or not the ray version is abridged, my Signet Classics edition has 15 chapters; this cross references with a Harvard Classics edition from 1909.

#115

Posted by: Savaga | November 18, 2009 9:01 PM

They came to Case Western the day before they were supposed to, so unfortunately, Case's secular student organization wasn't able to respond. We were going to pass out our own fliers.

On a side note, I heard that the chapters detailing the fossil record are missing from the copies.

#116

Posted by: Emily | November 18, 2009 9:55 PM

I'm a student at Cal State Fullerton, and there was a lady here handing out copies of the book. I just snubbed her with "No thanks, I have a better edition".

#117

Posted by: Ermine | November 18, 2009 10:13 PM

Anyone in CA get an extra copy they'd be willing to send me? I'm in SF, but was unable to travel to get to any of the campuses in time. I wouldn't mind having one just so I'd have Ray's own words handy where I could write in the proper answers to each untruth in the margins.

I wasn't going to ask, but it seems a few people got quite a few extra copies. I'll gladly pay postage. I want to get hold of one, but I am *SO* not sending Ray any money for the blasted thing! He's trying to get too much legitimacy using someone else's fame as it is.

#118

Posted by: Lithified Detritus | November 18, 2009 10:13 PM

The World Nut Daily has a poll:

http://forums.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=613

Do your worst...

#119

Posted by: Mike Brownstein | November 18, 2009 10:16 PM

I'm still a bit surprised that there has been no siting of Ray Comfort books at Purdue.

#120

Posted by: Brian George | November 18, 2009 10:19 PM

Found one abandoned in a Starbucks near New York University. Score!

#121

Posted by: Kevin Folta | November 18, 2009 10:37 PM

Do I detect bearing false witness? Lying to us so that there is no dissent?

Maybe there are not "two sides" to the discussion after all....

#122

Posted by: Ermine | November 18, 2009 10:37 PM

I like how the WND poll has put in 4 or 5 different answers that all say basically the same thing, with the obvious intent of splitting up the pro-evolution and pro-science votes, while there's a very clear 'I believe that God did it in 6 days, just as the bible says!' for the other side to choose.

It probably wouldn't have mattered anyway, looking at the current vote totals. You have to think about who most of their audience is! Such sneaky manipulation in a poll is so very like them, though.

#123

Posted by: Michael Caton | November 18, 2009 10:39 PM

Considering the Creation and Earth History "Museum" is (alas) right here in San Diego, they had a pretty sad showing on UCSD campus. I scored one directly from one of the guys but it looked like they'd only had one smallish box full. ***I would not be surprised if today was a dry run and tomorrow they'll be back. If you were planning activities tomorrow, still do them!***

Separate topic: can you recommend internet communities of people who are having doubts about their faith (specific to one sect or another is even better). I'm putting together a new website and I want these kinds of links because someone who's just starting to have a crisis of faith will run the other way when s/he sees any website with the word "atheist".

#124

Posted by: Lithified Detritus | November 18, 2009 10:54 PM

They don't make it clear, but you have to log in to vote in the WND poll.

#125

Posted by: Blake Stacey Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 11:04 PM

The table of contents (in the copy I got at Harvard) matches that of the 1859 first edition. It'll take a more careful comparison to see if any chunks have been left out.

The typesetting is also noticeably poor. If you look at letters which should be ligatured together, you can tell the entire thing was just dumped through a word processor. The entire thing screams "Microsoft Word". Shoddy.

#126

Posted by: A. Noyd Author Profile Page | November 18, 2009 11:41 PM

rawnaeris (#114)

That aside, as to whether or not the ray version is abridged, my Signet Classics edition has 15 chapters; this cross references with a Harvard Classics edition from 1909.

Savaga (#115)

On a side note, I heard that the chapters detailing the fossil record are missing from the copies.

It's supposed to be the first edition, which legitimately only has 14 chapters plus the intro.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lithified Detritus (#118)

The World Nut Daily has a poll:

That has to be the most fucked up poll I've ever seen. They're asking about the origin of life and letting you vote on various answers having to do with evolution. And the only answer that comes close is this one: "I don't know about the 'origin of life,' but regarding the development of different species, Darwin nailed it with his theory of evolution." But that's still not quite right because Darwin got a lot wrong. I guess there's always "Other."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And WTF is this forced preview shit with the site?

#127

Posted by: Marcus Ranum | November 18, 2009 11:56 PM

"No thanks, I have a better edition".

I probably shouldn't mention this, but 1st and 2nd editions show up on Ebay all the time, and are relatively affordable. And then some aren't - right now, $50,000 will get you a copy of the 1st UK edition. What else were you going to do with your money, eat? Buy a car?
http://cgi.ebay.com/DARWIN-ON-THE-ORIGIN-OF-SPECIES-1ST-UK-EDITION-1859_W0QQitemZ310162340619QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Scientific_MJ?hash=item48371dbb0b

If someone's ever looking for a fun coding project, a website that tracks popularity by author based on 1st edition/2nd edition going prices on Ebay - would be fun. :) For example, Darwin's Origin beats out Paine's Common Sense by a factor of 4 or so.

#128

Posted by: TimJohnsonMN Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 12:02 AM

In case anyone in the Twin Cities area is still looking... I have two copies I snagged today that are yet unaccounted for. Let me know.

PZ, that goes for you too (although I'm guessing he'll already be getting a copy or two... or twelve).

#129

Posted by: shannon | November 19, 2009 12:04 AM

#123 - exchristian.net

#130

Posted by: TimJohnsonMN Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 12:17 AM

@#123 Not a site, per se, but the holysinecure channel on youtube feels very much aimed at that audience. The gentle female-with-a-southern-accent narration only contributes to a "safe" feeling.

#131

Posted by: Moggie Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 12:51 AM

#126:

It's supposed to be the first edition, which legitimately only has 14 chapters plus the intro.

I admit I haven't really been following this story, so I don't know whether this has been covered, but why would Bananaman use the first edition, rather than the most authoritative sixth edition, which is expanded and addresses some of the misconceptions which had arisen since publication? Ohhh, I've answered my own question, haven't I?

#132

Posted by: Eimi | November 19, 2009 1:24 AM

My school is on the list but I'm graduating this semester.... I'm not sure if its a good thing that I won't be near the Banana-man or if I'm missing out on a free comedy show.

#133

Posted by: A. Noyd Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 1:29 AM

Moggie (#131)

but why would Bananaman use the first edition, rather than the most authoritative sixth edition, which is expanded and addresses some of the misconceptions which had arisen since publication?

A lot of scientists and people into science prefer the first edition. Apparently Darwin spent a lot of time in later editions trying to tweak the theory to answer criticisms that didn't even turn out to be valid, I guess. (Going on half-remembered hearsay. I only ever read the first edition, myself.) There's enough in the first that shows Ray's a complete idiot, though, so it's not like putting out a different edition would have made him less dishonest. Plus, no matter the edition, anyone who relies on Origin for their entire understanding of evolution is going to have problems. (Not that Ray's cheerleaders read anything with a factual explanation of evolution, outdated or otherwise.)

#134

Posted by: nejishiki | November 19, 2009 1:47 AM

@A. Noyd (#133)
True. Ernst Mayr put out a facsimile of the first edition (with an introduction), a he was one of the 20th century's greatest evolutionary thinkers. Stephen Jay Gould also had praise for it, if I remember correctly.
In later editions Darwin added wiggle room for Lamarckian mechanisms to account for the amount of evolution that had occured since the origin of the earth, which Lord Kelvin had estimated at something like 9 million years. The discovery of radioactive elements changed this estimate, but only after Darwin died.

#135

Posted by: James Shay | November 19, 2009 2:48 AM

I snagged 5 copies.
Unfortunately there wasn't enough guffawing heard at Duke University. I was slightly perturbed. The Bio Dept got an email when the books started being passed out.
Very polite people in their late 50's or so were passing them out. And wretchedness, there was a Duke student helping them.
Why... why!
Is it wrong to want it signed by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron? That would be so cool....

#136

Posted by: Wes | November 19, 2009 3:16 AM

So, if I'm reading this thread correctly, the Comfort crew by-passed the three biggest schools in Indian (Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Purdue) and instead when to Southern Indiana University and Ivy Tech community college in Indy?

Lame.

#137

Posted by: Moggie Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 4:25 AM

#133, 134: thanks. So I appear to have maligned Ray unfairly. Sorry, Ray! In future, I'll only accuse you of dishonesty or stupidity when you're actually being dishonest or stupid. I'm sure I won't have to wait long.

#138

Posted by: Mark A. Siefert | November 19, 2009 4:31 AM

I wish I would have thought of this sooner: Get a group of volunteers from the campus secular/atheist group and/or biology faculty to set up a booth near where the fundys were handing out copies, The volunteers would offer to "fix" the editions, free of charge, and send the "defective" pages back to Comfort.

#139

Posted by: Talen Lee | November 19, 2009 4:34 AM

So, if I'm reading this thread correctly, the Comfort crew by-passed the three biggest schools in Indian (Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Purdue) and instead when to Southern Indiana University and Ivy Tech community college in Indy?
Blame Blaghag. Ray Comfort is a professional conflict-evader. Drop him in front of people who can answer his questions and they'd eat him alive. A lot like Ken Ham (who I can tell you, is not happy when little kids answering his stupid questions).
#140

Posted by: Kale | November 19, 2009 5:18 AM

I ran in to a few of them passing copies out on the Arizona State University campus. I grabbed one, will try to go back for more tomorrow.

#141

Posted by: jqpublic | November 19, 2009 5:47 AM

They were giving it out at the University of South Carolina. I scored one.

#143

Posted by: Fred Mounts | November 19, 2009 8:35 AM

If anyone in Columbus, OH happens to read this, you should try to add to the stupid: Mike Huckabee is at the Barnes and Noble at Easton today, and Sarah 'Rogue' Palin is at the Borders on Sawmill Rd. tomorrow night...you should get these luminaries to add their autographs!

#144

Posted by: jcaps | November 19, 2009 8:53 AM

Setting aside all the logic failures throughout the intro.....

He cites "on the Origin of Species" 3 times in the endnotes. using 3 different publications of teh book, and not 1 of them is the one you were holding. Does this seem overtly dishonest to anyone else?


At the end he askes for people to go to his websie and buy book. His motivation is not hidded in the least.


#145

Posted by: SantaCruzOM - this OM does not signify a molly:-( | November 19, 2009 9:00 AM

#79 - Depressingstatistician

Dammit! They were by the library...of course. I sent my friend over to the union, as yesterday was (used to be) market day, so I expected the Bananaheads would have a presence there. Maybe they'll be back today...

#146

Posted by: ProudMonkey | November 19, 2009 9:06 AM

I just put the following up on an earlier blog posting, but I don't know if people are going back that far:

Okay, I have a hypothesis. I don't believe it myself, but it might warrant testing.

Is it possible, however remotely, that Ray is actually a comedic genius, following the path laid out by Andy Kaufman (and, to a lesser extent, Sacha Baron Cohen)? Think about it: could Ray have conceived of a multi-decade comedic "bit", the sole aim of which is to mess with people? Are Ray and Andy (who is not really dead) in the back room laughing their asses off, being the only two people in the world knowing what is really going on? The mind reels.

If this hypothesis proves true, Ray is unquestionably the greatest actor of all time. Think of it: Ray has not once broken the character of being the caricatured close-minded, uninformed, contradictory, disingenuous, misleading (etc., etc., etc...) evangelist. Brilliant!

#147

Posted by: Joey | November 19, 2009 9:08 AM

@Tim #33

Thanks, I came from a test and ended up running late to class so wasn't able to check back online. Thanks for the offer though! If you get this and still have an extra you don't mind parting with that'd be great, if not I'll wait until next time(hopefully which there won't be!)

#148

Posted by: ButchKitties | November 19, 2009 9:38 AM

So, if I'm reading this thread correctly, the Comfort crew by-passed the three biggest schools in Indian (Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Purdue) and instead when to Southern Indiana University and Ivy Tech community college in Indy?

Technically Notre Dame is not one of the three biggest schools in Indiana. IUPUI and Ball State both have bigger student populations, around 30k and 20k students respectively. Notre Dame is closer to 12k. (Apologies if "biggest" referred to rank rather than size. Just gotta defend my oft-forgotten Ooey-Pooey.)

Point remains that Ray was obviously trying to avoid debate with knowledgeable people. Ivy Tech may be a fine school, but it does not have a SSA or equivalent group to organize counter-demonstrations. Had his people ventured a few miles south to IUPUI, they would have had to content with the IUPUI Freethinkers.

#149

Posted by: Wes | November 19, 2009 10:44 AM

Technically Notre Dame is not one of the three biggest schools in Indiana. IUPUI and Ball State both have bigger student populations, around 30k and 20k students respectively. Notre Dame is closer to 12k. (Apologies if "biggest" referred to rank rather than size. Just gotta defend my oft-forgotten Ooey-Pooey.)

I actually was referring to rank. No offense to Ooey-Pooey or Ball State intended! :)

#150

Posted by: Tim | November 19, 2009 10:49 AM

@Joey #147 They're back on campus today! If you still don't get one after today let me know!

#151

Posted by: rawnaeris Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 10:49 AM

So are they back today?

Do I need to be heading up to my Uni earlier than normal? (Yes, I realize that it's 10am local time. I only have afternoon classes.)

#152

Posted by: InfuriatedSciTeacher | November 19, 2009 10:57 AM

James> I didn't see them at NC State, but I was at my teaching job most of the day rather than on campus... any chance I can get/purchase one of those copies from you?

sunsu1013@yahoo.com

#153

Posted by: Kordox | November 19, 2009 10:58 AM

I'd very much like to get a hand on a copy of the book, but I happen to live in Denmark. I am going to visit my parents in the US this Christmas though, so would it maybe be possible for someone who picked up several copies to mail one to them? That would be just awesome! They live in Magalia, CA, so probably someone close.
Of course I will pay the price of mailing it, maybe through PayPal or whatnot.
Anyway, my email is kordox[at]gmail.com. Please contact me!

#154

Posted by: Anonymous | November 19, 2009 11:12 AM

They set up shop right outside my office at UW-Madison just before 1pm Wednesday (in the same place where Brother Jeb likes to preach that we're all going to hell). I snagged 2 copies right as they cracked open the first of (I think) 3 boxes. The weird thing was that they were gone when I looked out the window ten minutes later...were they raptured?

Love how they use a nice, large, reader-friendly text size for the introduction, then switch to an incredibly tiny, headache-inducing font for the main body of the text. Gee, I wonder which part they actually want you to read...?

#155

Posted by: Kraid Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 11:34 AM

Crap, I missed it. :( I even made room in the wackaloon section of my bookcase--right between the Chick Tracts and the "Is Evolution Real? (what you believe matters)" 64-page pamphlet.

To those who got copies: Has anyone looked over the "new and improved" introduction? I really wanted to compare the original garbage to the final garbage.

#156

Posted by: MikeM | November 19, 2009 11:43 AM

I wanted to point out a claim Comfort makes about his eyes.

I must point out the language of speculation that you are forced to use in your opening sentence. Words like "seems" and "likely" are always present when a Darwinian believer speaks of what he believes. Let’s address your issues. I don’t have a blind spot in my eye. Both of them see very well and I am thankful for the 137million light sensitive cells that make sight possible. Do you have a blind spot in your eye? If you do, I suggest that you see an optician and see if he can either fix it, or get you another eye.

This is from https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5823596693953871104&postID=5359784484253650376

People are all over him for this ridiculous claim. How does he keep getting away with stupid comments like this?

#157

Posted by: nejishiki | November 19, 2009 11:47 AM

@Moggie 137

His logic is probably more like this: it's been 150 years since the Origin was published, so lets publish the exact edition that appeared 150 years ago (plus some bullshit). No erudition or text comparison required.
If I see him on campus today I'll ask him why he chose the first edition.

#158

Posted by: outa work ee | November 19, 2009 12:27 PM

In Comfort's special introduction, p. 28, he uses Darwin "Eye quote" and references Darwin's book 'Origin of Species' p.167 for the quote. Funny, that chapter is not in the book distributed by Comfort.

#159

Posted by: pjittles | November 19, 2009 1:07 PM

They were passing these out at the Univ. of Oklahoma yesterday. http://s828.photobucket.com/albums/zz207/pjittles/?action=view¤t=fail.jpg

#160

Posted by: jcaps | November 19, 2009 1:11 PM

@158:
"n Comfort's special introduction, p. 28, he uses Darwin "Eye quote" and references Darwin's book 'Origin of Species' p.167 for the quote. Funny, that chapter is not in the book distributed by Comfort."

Page 150.

#161

Posted by: outa work ee | November 19, 2009 1:20 PM

@160
Oops. Thanks, I always wanted to read to whole paragraph rather than pieces.

#162

Posted by: Physicalist | November 19, 2009 1:30 PM

If anyone wants to part with an (unmutilated) copy of Origin according to Ray, I'd like to have one for my shelf-o-denialism (TM). In exchange, I'll ship you your choice of The Greatest Show on Earth, Why Evolution is True, or PZ's book (when it comes out).

My gmail e-mail account is "physicalist1." Please drop me a line if you're interested.

#163

Posted by: Walton | November 19, 2009 2:13 PM

I haven't seen it myself, but according to some friends of mine, copies were being handed out on Cornmarket Street here in Oxford (England) yesterday. It's scary that Ray Comfort's reach extends beyond American shores.

#164

Posted by: Aquaria | November 19, 2009 2:19 PM

Lee Ann Womack:

I know for a fact that Womack has zero excuses for being this braindead, since she went to Jacksonville HS in TX, which I attended for two years, not long before Womack went there. The biology teachers there were top-notch and no b.s. Then again, nearly all of the teachers were very, very good at what they did. Of the 8 schools I attended during my K-12 years, it was by far the most rigorous regarding academics. What I learned there served me very, very well in college. Hell, college was a breeze after JHS.

#165

Posted by: j a higginbotham | November 19, 2009 4:25 PM

Where on campus do they tend to be? Libraries, student centers, or random; stationary or wandering?
I searched campus twice today with no luck and haven't heard of anyone who got any.

#166

Posted by: Ermine | November 19, 2009 6:20 PM

Hmm, no spares to be had? Drat!

Perhaps it's only because I didn't include an e-mail address, but maybe they're more popular than I had expected. Too many rationalists want one for them and their children to laugh at!

If it's just because I didn't include an email address, it's a gmail.com address: erminate . Otherwise, well, I suppose I'm out of luck unless I can find one on e-bay or something. Hmm, there's a thought.. Nope, nothing there yet, but maybe in a couple of days. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

If they're passing them out today as well, maybe I still have a chance.

#167

Posted by: A. Noyd Author Profile Page | November 19, 2009 6:44 PM

jcaps (#144)

He cites "on the Origin of Species" 3 times in the endnotes. using 3 different publications of teh book, and not 1 of them is the one you were holding. Does this seem overtly dishonest to anyone else?

Probably he's just repeating citations from creationist sites he used as references. (See note 27, for example, where he borrows the Richard Leakey quotemine from an anti-evolution site.)

#168

Posted by: vhutchison | November 19, 2009 8:02 PM

#159. pjittles, see post #159.

There was a graduate student from psychology handing out the NCSE 'Don't Diss Darwin' flyers today near the Student Union.

#169

Posted by: Joey | November 19, 2009 11:02 PM

@Tim #150

Gah!! No, I was at the St Paul campus briefly today(test) and then had a science club meeting elsewhere!! If you could hook me up I'd greatly appreciate it, if not no worries though! Communicating via email thread isn't the best way!

#170

Posted by: TimJohnsonMN Author Profile Page | November 20, 2009 12:22 AM

Joey,

I've been keeping tabs on this thread for you... Are you on twitter? If you tweet me at TimJohnsonMN we can arrange a time to meet up on campus.

Maybe a bit complicated, I know, but I've been burnt by posting an email address before...

#171

Posted by: Mike Caton | November 20, 2009 1:54 AM

For UC San Diego's part, no Comfort nutbars back here today, but we did have a fantastic event where we handed out Darwin stickers and got plenty of sign-ups to our local rationalist group. People were pretty enthusiastic to take them. To all you atheists in the closet: we didn't experience any atheist-oppressing. We didn't even experience any atheists being yelled at. We mostly just had a lot of fun.

One funny thing: lots of people asked "are you guys with those guys handing out the Darwin books from yesterday?" Most people didn't even realize it was a creationist/evangelist thing; the people on my campus who got OotS genuinely wanted a copy of Darwin, and know and understand what's in there (and won't be swayed by Comfort's drivel).

If Comfort is really buying those banana bookmarks - can we actually make money on this? What's the bulk unit price from Kinkos break down to?

#172

Posted by: Moggie Author Profile Page | November 20, 2009 8:28 AM

#156:

I wanted to point out a claim Comfort makes about his eyes.
I must point out the language of speculation that you are forced to use in your opening sentence. Words like "seems" and "likely" are always present when a Darwinian believer speaks of what he believes. Let’s address your issues. I don’t have a blind spot in my eye. Both of them see very well and I am thankful for the 137million light sensitive cells that make sight possible. Do you have a blind spot in your eye? If you do, I suggest that you see an optician and see if he can either fix it, or get you another eye.

Sigh. If there were a way of harnessing the facepalm to generate electricity, Comfort could be a hero to all mankind. I'm sure I learned about the blind spot before the age of ten. Someone give Ray a playing card and show him how to make one of the spots disappear.

#173

Posted by: Menyambal | November 20, 2009 11:56 AM

CNN has a video of their coverage of Kirk Cameron handing out books. They start off talking about "debunking" evolution, and mention Darwin's "manifesto", but then they never mention Intelligent Design at all, but call the whole project "creationism".

#174

Posted by: David Estlund | November 20, 2009 12:26 PM

Manifesto? Manifesto?! It's a treatise on scientific theory! It's a statement of fact, which can be refuted by contradictory facts (which don't exist), not a polemic. I think they've gone mixing it up with Mein Kampf again. At least they let somebody stand up and object to the ad hominem attacks.

#175

Posted by: Mick | November 20, 2009 2:16 PM

Sadly I didn't get one. Only in Austin here in Texas.

But I'm evolving one of my own:
http://www.dabreo.net/comfort/

#176

Posted by: Mick | November 20, 2009 2:19 PM

Sadly I didn't get one. Only in Austin here in Texas.

But I'm evolving one of my own:
http://www.dabreo.net/comfort/

#177

Posted by: David Estlund | November 20, 2009 2:49 PM

That's awesome Mick. Glad to have you in town. They did give them away up at UT. Looks like we both missed the party.

#178

Posted by: Irvin McWhorter | November 20, 2009 7:15 PM

I got this book from my local university in Ohio and it IS abridged. The strata measurements are missing on chapter 9. It exists in ALL editions of the Original book. Throw this book in the garbage where it belongs. I like the special note you added on your book "All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions." I couldn't agree more.

Ray Comfort is a sleaze.

#179

Posted by: jackarmstrong Author Profile Page | November 21, 2009 11:05 AM

I did not see them here at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. I hope they make it here!

#180

Posted by: Jason Febery Author Profile Page | November 21, 2009 5:12 PM

I need a few good laughs. I'll have to take a look at it after I've finished reading my rented copy of "Going Rogue."

--

http://jasonfebery.wordpress.com/

#181

Posted by: george.w | November 21, 2009 5:52 PM

I found three copies at the lab monitor station in our computer lab. It's a college of business, and as it didn't seem appropriate to distribute such material in our lab, I removed them.

I strongly suspect, but cannot be certain, that one of my student employees brought them in.

#182

Posted by: kilo papa | November 22, 2009 6:37 AM

I'd love to see a group of atheists show up at Kirk Camerons church some Sunday morning and pass out copies of "The God Delusion" or something similar.

#183

Posted by: TFP | November 22, 2009 4:26 PM

"Behold, the Christian's worst nightmare: Ray Comfort."

As a Christian, I truly wish atheists would ignore Ray Comfort and his ilk. They are an embarrassment. Engaging them in a debate gives them a level of "credibility" they don't deserve.

#184

Posted by: David Estlund | November 22, 2009 11:45 PM

Irvin McWhorter #178,

Thank you for posting that info. There still seems to be confusion about the bait and switch Comfort handed Eugenia Scott (or the last-minute admission of guilt he made by re-inserting the removed chapters). So, it sounds like Ray Comfort is not only in denial about evolution, but basic geology and therefore paleontology and archaeology to boot. Nice. I'd like to see him just come out and smear science as a whole.

#185

Posted by: Paul L | November 24, 2009 4:53 PM

My apologies if I'm bringing this late to the party, but it looks like someone actually took video of Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort handing out their propaganda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EjEqrmUBMA&feature=player_embedded

The audio is a little rough in spots, but there are some choice comments by Mr. Cameron. And by "choice" I mean... Well, here's some examples (text from tmz.com):

---

During the "event," several students asked Kirk about his thoughts on Darwin. Kirk responded, "I believe that Darwin was absolutely ... that the end game was to make God ... was to remove God from the world view of .. I think that that was the end game."

Excellent point.

Here's another of our favorite exchanges:

Student: Science is based on evidence, where religion is based on faith.
Kirk: But Darwinism is extremely based on faith
Student: Not really, it's based on a lot of evidence.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/24/kirk-cameron-mauled-by-a-bruin-in-darwin-fight/#ixzz0Xog1uwOf

#186

Posted by: Katie | December 16, 2009 1:00 AM

I have read most of all the comments posted here, and I was wondering if anyone would be up for a challenge? Here it is- Read the Bible, cover to cover. It is God's word. You will know after you read it for yourself. I hope you take the challenge!
Katie

#187

Posted by: Janine, The Little Top Of Venom, OM Author Profile Page | December 16, 2009 1:10 AM

Katie, you are not the first to have issued this challenge. Many of the regulars here have read that book from cover to cover. A couple have read it in it's original languages. It convinced them to become atheists. You have to do better then that.

#188

Posted by: Gyeong Hwa Pak | December 16, 2009 1:11 AM

Here it is- Read the Bible, cover to cover. It is God's word. You will know after you read it for yourself. I hope you take the challenge!

Yes we have and for some it's the reason why we're atheists. It's not God's word, it's a collection of mythologies that have archaic laws that no longer should be followed for the sake of humanity. Just because you were told that its God's word doesn't make it so.

Now, there is a misogynic passage in Timothy that forbids you to come in here and talk like this. Do you know which one it is?

#189

Posted by: Janine, The Little Top Of Venom, OM Author Profile Page | December 16, 2009 1:19 AM

Katie, it is time for you to submit in silence. Before you ask, I am not a christian, I do not have to submit to anyone. (Unless I want to.)

#190

Posted by: Gyeong Hwa Pak | December 16, 2009 1:42 AM

Janine, gets a point. :)
Now, Katie, you’re also obligated to have us killed as per a certain passage in Leviticus. Furthermore, you need to reject heliocentrism. Just like the word of God asks you to.

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