I shook PZ Myers' hand!

Last night, I journeyed to George Mason University and saw PZ Myers speak about science education and the war that religious groups are waging against science. His basic idea is that there are only a couple of groups that defend the integrity of science in the classroom (the NCSE and Americans United), and while they are doing a great job of keeping religion, creationism, intelligent design, etc. out of our classrooms, as a culture we are losing the war.

PZ argues that well-funded groups such as the Discovery Institute and Answers in Genesis are perpetuating a culture of anti-scientific, anti-intellectual, and anti-critical thought in America. And they are winning. Of all the countries surveyed, the USA has the second lowest percentage of people who believe that evolution is a valid theory.



PZ's solution is more vocal support of science and more vocal opposition to religion. When religious people spout off their ridiculous stories, they take your silence to mean that you agree with them. You need to make sure they understand that this is not the case. Religion should be laughed at whenever it comes up in conversation. Be open about your atheism.

PZ likens religion to, among other things, knitting. It is perfectly legal to knit in your own home. You can knit whatever you'd like, and you may do it alone or in knitting groups. However, your ability to knit does not make you a superior person, it does not qualify you for public office, and you cannot force others to knit with you. Knitting is a personal hobby and has no place in our legislation. A lot of people consider knitting silly, but this does not mean that they are evil people. Religion = knitting. It makes a lot of sense.