Why is so much credence given to people like Jerry Falwell or

[KlatooBNikto]

James Robson or Pat Robertson on matters involving science? To say that they are even qualified to pontificate on Evolution or the Big Bang Theory is to concede that their mad rantings deserve a hearing.By the way, have they gotten over Galileo's idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun? When do we tar and feather these charlatans and mock them with the contempt they deserve when our scientists are quitely working to understand the universe and how it evolved?

[jandrok]

1. They're given credence.....

....only because their Biblical worldview is now sanctioned by a considerable number of "elected" officials at every level of government, all the way from the White House to your county clerk.

Sagan had it right. Science is quickly becoming the "candle in the dark in the demon-haunted world." Unlike a lot of the Eastern religious traditions, Western religion has never made much of an attempt to reconcile itself with scientific progress.

Nice username by the way. "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is one of the classic science fiction movies of all time. Good choice for a moniker.

[fishwax]

2. Hell, I don't get why their given creedence on spiritual matters

most people in America who consider themselves Christians don't really follow the tachings of those pharisees, and tend to be turned off when they discover their true colors and agenda. But they're the "christian voice" on the news, public debate, etc.

On matters of science they have even less business being treated with respect or legitimacy :grr:

[devilgrrl]

6. you beat me to it!

I've been wanting to know that for years!

[fishwax]

9. It's awfully frustrating, isn't it?

one of my biggest pet peeves, hearing those guys give the "christian perspective" with no challenge or question as to their credentials to speak for "christians" :puke:

[saltpoint]

3. Dobson and Falwell are on the media's rollodex because --

-- they are high-profile fundamentalist freaks -- which ensures a ratings jolt for the cable news -- but also because they are more or less sentient and "polite" when they assert their hate-filled bigotries.

The strategy of interviewing someone like Falwell is that he delivers on the ratings boost without wiping his ass on the network drapes.

Once in a while Ted Koppel will struggle to get an adult, reasoned response out of Falwell, and Falwell slips by him like a buttered eel. The allure is Falwell's freak aspect, so he's asked any question at all across the spectrum, even science issues.

[devilgrrl]

4. Science? Why are they given credence to matters relating to Religion???

What qualifies them for that/

[UdoKier]

5. They're not even qualified to comment on religion...

...much less science.

They are con artists, whose sermons bear no relation to the teachings of Christ.

[Skidmore]

7. They have money--scads of it.

Money give you access and power and a megaphone. They own media of their own. I think it's fascinating that Protestantism rose out of a rebellion against a corrupt and greedy Catholic church and now has some practictioners who could rival any of the old corrupt Popes. We need a schism in Protestantism.

[porphyrian]

8. I fucking hate all evangelists.

Those self-righteous pieces of shit, I can't wait to see every one of them busted for their hypocrisy. If they were really concerned with the salvation of humanity, they would stop victimizing the poor and ignorant for profit. Hell, if they would just one of their obnoxious TV programs, they could afford to end hunger in this country. They're just a bunch of corrupt salesmen with an agenda, and I fucking hate them all.