I have issues with taking a copy of a public domain scientific book that you vehemently refuse to acknowledge the reason and science behind, and writing a 50 page introduction to that book that attempts to debunk the science and logic behind that book.
I am, of course, talking about Ray Comfort's '150th Anniversary Edition' of Darwin's On The Origin of Species.
The introduction ... attempts to dubunk everything in Darwin's book, and talks up Creationism/ID as some rebuttal against Darwin. I don't even know, okay? I stopped when he invoked Hitler. [Comfort, you have officially Godwined your own introduction. Epic Fail.] I just don't even know where to start with this ... look, the only thing I can add right now is that at the end of it, Comfort offers up Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity and compares them to jumping off a plane, and tells you why Christianity is your only parachute. I wish I were making that up. But Ray Comfort means never having to say you're kidding.*
And then I'm supposed to pray.
And then I'm supposed to read this book? Apparently not. Apparently I was given a free book to not read it, but to only read the introduction and realise how terrible Reason, Science, and Logic are.
Now to the immorality of it. I just ... I don't get it. Maybe immoral isn't the best word, but it's the closest one I can think of. At best it's dishonest, which is ... oh yeah, immoral. In that vein, I set out to do all I could to keep this immorality away from youngling college students. So I put on my hat, grabbed two bags, tossed on a sweatshirt and headed out to the Ray Comfort people handing out free books at the U. I walked past the first group of people and got a book. I walked past the second group, got a book. I walked past the third group, got a book. Fourth group, book. Fifth, book. Then I doubled around, took off my sweatshirt and hat, and repeated. After the second rotation, I starting asking for one for my roommate who was in class, or at work, or in lab. Some groups gave me two, some didn't. After my 22nd book, on attempt to get book 23 and 24, two of the groups were restocking at the main table. I approached for my book, but one of the other men recognised me, and denied me the book. A woman then told me she recognised me too.
The mission was aborted, but I walked away with 22 books. One of which is actually for one of my roommates, one of which is for me. Stitch, in the picture, is posing with all 22 of them. [That quilt, I'd also like to point out, was made by my mother 17 years ago.]
That leaves 20 books. What the heck should I do with them? Any thoughts?
*There's this blogger I follow, Cleolinda, who writes Movies in 15 Minutes, a popular blog doing exactly what it sounds like- writing hilarious recaps of movies. She even has a book for those really interested. Well, she's done M15M for the Twilight books. And one of the things she's said about them is ... "Twilight means never having to say you're kidding". So I stole that line from her. Sorry Cleo!
I'll take one off your hands and I'll pay for shipping. :-)
ReplyDeleteChris
If I wasn't against book burning, I'd say burn them. Or do what book stores do, rip the cover off and send it to the publisher for a refund. Ever out of TP you now have 22 bundles of intro to use.
ReplyDeleteThey might make good monitor risers as long as you orient the spine out of sight. Otherwise, recycling them isn't like burning them.
ReplyDeleteI'd very much like one too - and I will pay for shipping, if you're willing to send one to Canada. dennis dot venema {at} twu dot ca
ReplyDeleteI'll take one off your hands. Email me at nitramnaed@excite.com with details and I can ship you cash so you can ship me a book.
ReplyDeleteJeff
This is awesome. I don't know you, but I'm sure as hell proud. How did you get all the books? They busted me really quickly. I only got 3.
ReplyDeletehey, I'd love to take one off your hands as well, I'll pay for shipping if you're interested. You can contace me at svladcjelli.dirk@gmail.com.
ReplyDelete-Kate
Hi, I'm from the Tufts Freethought society. Comfort was suppossed to distribute at our university, but they never came (though they were at MIT and Harvard, both just a few subway stops away). Our freethought society would like a copy that we can discuss in our regular meetings. I would personally be willing to pay for shipping.
ReplyDeletePlease email me at stephen.goeman@tufts.edu if you have one to spare. We appreciate this greatly!!!
I'm with those interested in a copy... I want one for my propaganda collection. I also collect Chick Tracts and satires (http://foo.ca/wp/chick-tract-satire/)
ReplyDeleteAny contact method listed at http://foo.ca/wp/contact/ if you're willing to part with one of those. Compensation for your time and suffering will be arranged.
I'm also interested in getting a copy for general purpose mockery, but unfortunately Ray didn't feel my university was worth his time :( If you decide to distribute some of them, contact me at jameskoll at gmail dot com and we can arrange payment for shipping and mental anguish.
ReplyDeleteDennis Venema,
ReplyDeleteStudent at the highly religious Trinity Western University in Langley? I remember how I dodged a bullet by not going there!
These days I doubt that they'd accept my application if they had to read what I'd now write into my Statement Of Faith.
I'll also take a copy and will pay for shiping. My email is frank.bellamy@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy if you still have any.
ReplyDeletepaleeoguy(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd be interested in getting a copy or two if you still have some....
ReplyDeletehealthyaddict (at) gmail (dot) com
Darn, late to the party again! Atticus if you still have any, I am interested.
ReplyDeletescolleli (at) gmail (dot) com
DANG! ME TOO! I wanna copy. bradthomas@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMe three! I'm more than happy to pay for shipping if you have any left.
ReplyDeletealchemist60 at gmail dot com
You rule.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hate to inconvenience you, but I'd love a copy for myself as well. Like everyone else, I'm willing to pay for shipping.
ReplyDeletegreenmetroid@yahoo.com
Excellent job, by the way! I commend your actions greatly!
Got any left? I'd love to have one. :) I'll pay for shipping and your time. Do you have an Amazon wishlist?
ReplyDeleteed.zwart@gmail.com
Cheers!