Posted on 10/02/2008 9:32:57 AM PDT by SmithL
In a moment, I will say something you've probably never read in an opinion column.
Last week, you see, I wrote about Sarah Palin's attempt to ban books when she was a small-town mayor. In the process, I noted that "we all have questions" for Palin. Among them: "Does she really take the parable of Adam and Eve as literal truth?"
Which unleashed a flood of e-mails from people angry that I had demoted the Christian creation story to the status of parable and suggested by implication that anyone who believes it is, as one reader put it, a "fool." Which brings us to those seldom-used words:
You're right. I apologize.
Let me be clear: I don't believe the Bible's account of creation. Never have. Leaving aside Darwin and taking the story on its own merits, there are still holes in it big enough to walk a dinosaur through. Not least of which is the conundrum of how, short of incest, humanity reproduced itself if there was only one family on earth.
And had I framed my question more narrowly — Does Sarah Palin really want the Bible story of creation taught in schools? — you'd be reading no mea culpa here. Science classes are for science and faith is not science. Nor, in a pluralistic society, does anyone have the right to impose faith on someone else.
But I didn't pose a narrow question. Instead, I airily dismissed a belief I don't share, yet a belief which, in and of itself, hurts no one, marginalizes no one, and is a fundament of faith for millions.
That was needlessly (as opposed to necessarily) disrespectful. It also was arrogant. Which is, oddly enough, the one trait of the lately resurgent atheist movement that vexes me.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
there are still holes in it big enough to walk a dinosaur through
true, but evolution is more theory than proven science
And he got the book “banning” thing wrong too. Pitts should be apologising for NOT doing any research before penning his arrogant, FALSE columns.
evolution is conjecture, not theory. A real theory is based on equations such as e=mc^2 or f=ma
I’d think apologizing for the BLATANT LIE about Palin attempting to ban books would get people more upset than an obvious un-believer not understanding the Bible! Don’t get me wrong - I very much understand people’s anger at his mis-characterization of Genesis.
HOWEVER, his apology falls on deaf ears as long as he doesn’t also apologize for his repeating and advancing a proven fallacy in regards to Palin’s actions.
I seriously wonder if those writing included BOTH information regarding the Palin lie, AND the Bible “gaffe” he made. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he jumped on the Bible argument, but completely IGNORED the proof offered to him as it regards Palin...
This guy is scum, plain and simple.
If he had any integrity at all, Leonard Pitts would apologize for impersonating a writer.
Let’s email him with the truth about that book banning lie. His email is lpitts@miamiherald.com
Not least of which is the conundrum of how, short of incest, humanity reproduced itself if there was only one family on earth.
well, that is the answer. Adam had daughters (genesis 5:4) and they started everything.
So exactly how DID we end up with more people without incest?
but evolution is more theory than proven science
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Please, you are killing your own argument, theory and proven science are not mutually exclusive, they coexist. Please look up the definition of scientific theory. Forty six years ago I went to Navy Electronics “A” school on Treasure Island, I was there in sight of Alcatraz when the escape happened in 1963. We studied the THEORY of electronics, that is what it was called, I think you will agree that electronics was a proven science at the time. This endless protesting that evolution is only a theory is damaging the creation argument more than its opponents are.
This tells me that Leonard has never attempted to do even minimal research on the subject, yet he has no problem throwing this out as a major "conundrum."
Typical.
I stopped reading his columns long before I cancelled my subscription to the paper carrying his weekly column. FALSE columns is right on the money for him.
Just on the off-chance that he is still under the impression that Mrs. Palin DID attempt to ban books, I think in our writing we may want to begin by THANKING him for his apology, but then tear into him for the lies about Palin... Just a suggestion of one method you may want to use.
Leonard Pitts Jr.
c/o Miami Herald
1 Herald Plaza,
Miami, Fla. 33132
E-mail him at: lpitts@miamiherald.com.
It doesn’t really matter what you think, Leonard. I choose to believe the Bible is the Word of God, and nothing some self-absorbed media hack says about it will change my mind.
If I’m right and I follow the Word of God, my spiritual self will live on after my physical death, and my reward will be a place in Heaven. If I’m wrong, I will simply cease to exist. By believing, I have a chance. By denying, you have none.
Who is the more foolish one, Leonard - you or I?
Len, having singed his fingies in the fire, instead of having the good sense to put them out, picks up the gas can with his remaining good hand and pours it all over himself.
Your statement is a theory!
“So when I hear the debate about creation, I wonder: where is the debate about ministering to the broken, lifting the fallen, tending the sick? Why isn’t it at least as loud as this one is?”
What is to debate? Whether it is the roll of GOVERNMENT to meet your religious obligations? That separation of church and state would insist it is NOT.
Well, Leonard. How absolutely frickin’ magnanimous of you! Thank you so much for your tolerance of what Christians may or may not believe! How very polite and caring, open minded and honest of you. Your ‘apology’ probably would have been better received had you not chosen to ‘qualify’ it with a .....but, it doesn’t mean that I’m wrong......
The email bounced when I tried writing the stu pitts in the MSM.
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