Minister of State for Science to launch anti-science book!

oceanclub · 13-09-2010 4:20pm #1

Just when you think that Fianna Fail can't surprise you any more, this happens:

Darwinism?The Origin of Specious Nonsense Book|EVOLUTION IS A HOAX|Irish Author John J May

Someone from Atheism Ireland rang the author and, yes, Conor Lenihan, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Kebabs, is launching a book that claims that evolution is a hoax.

I just rang Lenihan's constituency office and yes, it was confirmed that this is absolutely true. The person who answered claimed that merely because a Minister for Science is launching - and therefore giving credence to - a book that attacks science, it shouldn't be taken that Lenihan agrees with the book!

Some quotes from the book:

"Believing we are a higher form of animal condemns us to a lower form of life."

7 Reasons Why I Detect and Reject Evolution

1: It teaches us to be satisfied with - not understanding origins.

2: It promotes the dangerous nonsense of no first cause - no supreme scientist and suggests order came from disorder.

3: It is a mataphysical speculation, a doctrine dressed up in scientific garb.

4: Anyone who teaches evolution is either ignorant or deliberately suppressing the known scientific facts.

5: It is a toxic poisonous mind virus which destroys the hearts immune system against hope and common sense.

6: It is an anaesthetic against reason.

7: It cripples sanity, promotes myths, obscures reality and elevates matter above a maker.

My flabber is well and truly ghasted. My outrage fatigue has finally hit rock bottom. Honestly, nothing this government does surprises me anymore.

P.

DrumSteve · 13-09-2010 4:22pm

Is this a joke...?

Really?

It reads like a satire.

oceanclub · 13-09-2010 4:30pm

DrumSteve wrote: »

Is this a joke...?

Really?

It reads like a satire.

I really honestly thought it was a joke too when Atheism Ireland put it up on Facebook. So I rang Lenihan's office myself to confirm. Yes, it's true; Ireland's Minister of State for Science is launching a anti-evolution book by someone who doesnt' appear to be able to write; I mean, read this:

It is a non academic attempt which is currently very popular worldwide due to the brilliant observationalist naturalist Charles Darwin's 200 year birth anniversary and 150 years celebration of his monumental laughable fantasy, "The Origin of Species" which I have read forensically and counted 1550 suppositions.

P.

Biggins · 13-09-2010 4:32pm

If this is for real, its unbelievable.
Talk about stepping back into the dark ages of thinking!

DrumSteve · 13-09-2010 4:36pm

speaking of which id ****in love a kebab now.

mikemac · 13-09-2010 4:38pm

Can't believe people are still bringing up the kebab incident five years later

Byron85 · 13-09-2010 4:43pm

The author is "self educated" and a "christian leader". That says it all really.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 13-09-2010 4:43pm

will have to make a note somewhere to remember this the next time I see 'dumb ignorant rednecks' mentioned on the US politics forum

Laminations · 13-09-2010 4:48pm

must be taking after his brother. Isn't he supposed to look after the financial interests of this country?

This is twilight zone stuff, planet Bertie.

Biggins · 13-09-2010 4:55pm

If this is the level of thinking we can expect from the top, bring it on...
They bring about their own self-destruction even quicker from within!

jumpguy · 13-09-2010 4:58pm

Was watching some of the videos on the website...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l15fUvCBobQ

Apparently evolution can be disproved by throwing 15 tennis balls around...

Anyway, I seriously thought this was a hoax. If Conor Lenihan really has nothing better to be doing than attending the launch of this book...

Biggins · 13-09-2010 5:02pm

jumpguy wrote: »

...Anyway, I seriously thought this was a hoax. If Conor Lenihan really has nothing better to be doing than attending the launch of this book...

Well the country is all sorted so he must have time to turn up for this crap!

Auvers · 13-09-2010 5:09pm

hahaha Bullsh1t

I might pay a vist to this "book" launch to have laugh at this loon

Biggins · 13-09-2010 5:10pm

Is the "loon" then, deliberately trying to sudden end his own career?

Auvers · 13-09-2010 5:12pm

Biggins wrote: »

Is the "loon" then, deliberately trying to sudden end his own career?

sorry Biggins dont quite get you

mike65 · 13-09-2010 5:15pm

When is this lunch er launch?

Biggins · 13-09-2010 5:17pm

Auvers wrote: »

sorry Biggins dont quite get you

I'm saying that if this is the type of thinking he's allowing himself to be associated with (as a state minister) - then he's fast-tracking his political life over a cliff.

(And yes, I'd consider him to have a screw lose too for doing this crap - even as a state rep and as such our minister)

I'm sure his people that elected him will no doubt be questioning their previous vote when they hear about this mad decision.

Sparks · 13-09-2010 5:18pm

Sweet suffering zombie jesus.
Is this on his official calendar? (ie. Are we paying the Junior Minister to do this?)

zuroph · 13-09-2010 5:20pm

emailed to ask why he is attending. shocking. although a FFer is probably just delighted to be invited to anything these days.

Auvers · 13-09-2010 5:20pm

Biggins wrote: »

I'm saying that if this is the type of thinking he's allowing himself to be associated with (as a state minister) - then he's fast-tracking his political life over a cliff.)

oh right but I was talking about the loon being the Author John J. May

I agree with you fully about Lenihan, maybe someone should mail him a few links of the author on you-tube and he might revaulate his attendence

the launch is on 7-9 September 15 at Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street

MrStuffins · 13-09-2010 5:22pm

I've had to read this 4 or 5 times to make sure it's actually real!

We are already the laughing stock of Europe! But this........... i'm........... i honestly can't explain how this makes me feel!

Today, i'm honestly ashamed to be Irish!

oceanclub · 13-09-2010 5:23pm

Does anyone else plan to go along? I would love to win this €10,000 and donate it to one of Richard Dawkin's funds...

P.

Hitchhiker's Guide to... · 13-09-2010 5:24pm

This has got to be a joke, right? I mean, Lenihan couldn't possibly be that dumb

Biggins · 13-09-2010 5:32pm

Auvers wrote: »

oh right but I was talking about the loon being the Author John J. May

I agree with you fully about Lenihan, maybe someone should mail him a few links of the author on you-tube and he might re-evaluate his attendance

Well, I respect a writers right to say what they want as long as its peaceful and does not incite hatred and/or violence, etc. So John J. May can say/write what he wishes.
(How or what I might think of his "thoughts" are another thing - in this case I disagree with him)

My surprise/shock is, as an elected state minister launching and been see to launch something that flying the face of a supposed state stance to keep church and state separate - Lenihan (by his very presence alone) is jumping in at the deep end and giving a proverbial two fingered salute to that idea.

Also lending his weight behind the book as a state rep' (even if he does disagree with it - I suspect he might agree with the writer - he instead for his action just offers convenient but contradictory words to excuse his attendance) it follows that as a state representative and as such representing the Irish people, he's allowing the image of the Irish outside Ireland as we being possibly stepping back into the Dark Ages of thinking and reason.

If - IF - this turns out to be true and he's attending this to add weight to the launch of the book, I'm deeply shocked and disgusted.

Laminations · 13-09-2010 5:34pm

Hitchhiker's Guide to... wrote: »

This has got to be a joke, right? I mean, Lenihan couldn't possibly be that dumb

again that same line has been used about his brother

It seems to run in the family, if you believe in all that genetics hocus pocus

mike65 · 13-09-2010 5:37pm

Conor Linehan is on twitter

http://twitter.com/ConorLenihanTD

Give him a tweet.

[-0-] · 13-09-2010 6:06pm

http://www.fiannafail.ie/people/contact/conor-lenihan/

reallyrose · 13-09-2010 6:07pm

[-0-] wrote: »

http://www.fiannafail.ie/people/contact/conor-lenihan/

Yeah, I emailed him earlier.

/me awaits reply with baited breath

amacachi · 13-09-2010 6:10pm

The book is a troll non? Though there seems to be too many misspellings in it for it to be a pisstake.

tracert · 13-09-2010 6:12pm

[-0-] wrote: »

http://www.fiannafail.ie

Since when is "Turning The Corner" the new Fianna Fail official slogan? Holy God.

And of course, this is ridiculous. He's certainly innovating.

ei.sdraob · 13-09-2010 6:12pm

Is this **** for real :eek:

First the Blasphemy Bill and now this?

My list of why not to vote FF grows, hey maybe I should publish it as a book :P

reallyrose · 13-09-2010 6:14pm

ei.sdraob wrote: »

Is this **** for real :eek:

First the Blasphemy Bill and now this?

My list of why not to vote FF grows, hey maybe I should publish it as a book :P

I bet Conor Lenihan would launch it too!

bmaxi · 13-09-2010 6:32pm

Maybe it's because Papa Razzi will be in the neighbouring parish this week, having to deal with all those "pagan English". A bit of a rallying cry for him so as he knows he's not alone in Neverland.

Biggins · 13-09-2010 6:32pm

I think every scientist and science teacher will be pretty disgusted too - if not peeved off by this direct dig at them and their lifes works.

..And if you upset one teacher, lord knows the rest will probably stand behind them!

Next year at school:
Lesson one: How to lose thousands of votes in one night! LOL

smcgiff · 13-09-2010 6:35pm

Er, sorry, could a mod move this to humour. I mean this is a joke - right? RIGHT?

Biggins · 13-09-2010 6:46pm

smcgiff wrote: »

Er, sorry, could a mod move this to humour. I mean this is a joke - right? RIGHT?

So far - it appears not!

http://www.atheist.ie/2010/09/science-minister-lenihan-to-launch-book-calling-evolution-a-hoax/

politics.ie thread: http://www.politics.ie/education-science/138007-conor-lenihan-minster-science-launch-anti-evolution-book.html

Absolutely blommin' unreal - truly an abuse of the very office he holds!
Terrible.

Kxiii · 13-09-2010 7:08pm

mike65 wrote: »

Conor Linehan is on twitter

http://twitter.com/ConorLenihanTD

Give him a tweet.

I had to laugh when i clicked and saw he has a whole two followers on twitter

Guess we know who'll be voting for him next time round.

[-0-] · 13-09-2010 7:15pm

Some of his arguments are gas.

Spend a week in a tree and see if you like it => therefore we couldn't have evolved from apes

We could not have evolved from the sea because if you spend an hour in the bath your skin goes wrinkly.

Seriously.... wtf

[-0-] · 13-09-2010 7:18pm

http://www.theoriginofspeciousnonsense.com/index-4.html

In summary, he's a dropout who has never studied the sciences he's denouncing, he's a failed entrepreneur, a failed actor, a failed musician, a failed poet, a failed DJ, he's likely obsessive-compulsive, and a religious bigot who claims to be popular in regions where religious bigots are.

mike65 · 13-09-2010 7:24pm

This is now spreading across the blog-o-sphere. I've e-mailed Matt Cooper with a link hopefully he'll try to get to the launch at 8 pm.

edit - Got e-mail back, says he's going to cover it tomorrow

virmilitaris · 13-09-2010 7:30pm

I enjoyed PZ Myers take on this, seems he's familiar with our politicians.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/09/how_about_the_irish_minister_o.php

Lenihan doesn't seem to have any actual qualifications in science. I think he needs a change of title.

By the way, you can write to Lenihan and let him know what you think. Be nice — laughing at his foolishness will be more effective than snarling at him. It might be especially effective to write to the Irish Times or the Independent and let them know there is a local politician doing something stupid, which is always good entertainment.

Benny_Cake · 13-09-2010 7:32pm

[-0-] wrote: »

http://www.theoriginofspeciousnonsense.com/index-4.html

In summary, he's a dropout who has never studied the sciences he's denouncing, he's a failed entrepreneur, a failed actor, a failed musician, a failed poet, a failed DJ, he's likely obsessive-compulsive, and a religious bigot who claims to be popular in regions where religious bigots are.

Didn't make it past "I am like Abraham Lincoln.." - hilarious!

WalterMitty · 13-09-2010 7:50pm

Satire or elaborate hoax? Or is he just another businessman FF are connected to ?

heebusjeebus · 13-09-2010 7:59pm

This is ripping through the internet tubes. Graham Linehan has just tweeted about it.

Shocking behavior from our Science minister. If he does not believe in evolutionary science he should not have accepted this brief.

Liam Byrne · 13-09-2010 8:37pm

The quote uses the - er - word "mataphysical".

So that would imply that it's a pisstake or the author hasn't a f**king clue!

D-Generate · 13-09-2010 9:10pm

Science, Health, Agriculture and Finance should be positions given to people who have experience and expertise in those areas, not just jobs for the boyos.

I think I am angrier though that our minister deems it an acceptable use of time to launch commercial ventures for friends and family. Whatever about opening up shopping centres which offer employment, this is purely done so he can eat canapes, have nice drinks and have an opportunistic chin-wag with anyone who will give him time of day.

[-0-] · 13-09-2010 9:30pm

Dawkins gets in on the action.

http://richarddawkins.net/articles/517145-irish-science-minister-to-launch-anti-evolution-book

buzzdroid · 13-09-2010 9:37pm

jumpguy wrote: »

Was watching some of the videos on the website...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l15fUvCBobQ

Apparently evolution can be disproved by throwing 15 tennis balls around...

Anyway, I seriously thought this was a hoax. If Conor Lenihan really has nothing better to be doing than attending the launch of this book...

holy crap.. we need a new age of enlightenment folks. its the only way to beat these religious nutjobs.

and yes, that includes you Islamic nutters too.

absolutely gobsmacking that video. the level of ignorance and sheer dumbness is astounding.

zuroph · 13-09-2010 9:46pm

buzzdroid · 13-09-2010 9:49pm

mike65 wrote: »

This is now spreading across the blog-o-sphere. I've e-mailed Matt Cooper with a link hopefully he'll try to get to the launch at 8 pm.

edit - Got e-mail back, says he's going to cover it tomorrow

well done. nice one. should be a big one for Matt.

i'll email George Hook as well.

buzzdroid · 13-09-2010 9:52pm

its now on reddit.

http://www.reddit.com/r/science

link 6 as i write this.

direct link to reddit post:
http://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/dd9lz/irish_minister_for_science_to_launch/

Minister of State for Science to launch anti-science book!

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