Kudos to Chris Matthews for pushing Indiana Congressman Mike Pence on evolution (tip from Pharyngula). And I thought anti-evolution rants of Zakir Naik (and others) were embarrassing. Ok - I admit, this is still not as bad as Zakir Naik - but then Naik is not an elected congressman in the US. Shouldn't the standards be a wee bit higher to be in the government of the most technologically advanced nation in the world? Enjoy.
And when asked what keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth: "Well...I believe that God created the heavens and the Earth and the seas and all that is in them, and the means that He used to that to do that, well, I can't say".
And when asked why do we have seasons on our planet: "Well...I believe that God created the heavens and the Earth and the seas and all that is in them, and the means that He used to do that, well, I can't say".
And when asked why do the stars shine: "Well...I believe that God created the heavens and the Earth and the seas and all that is in them, and the means that He used to do that, well, I can't say".
Oh...wait a minute. Physicists have been looking for the Grand Unified Theory in all the wrong places. Congressman Mike Pence from Indiana has already found the answer.
What is Irtiqa?
Irtiqa is Salman Hameed's blog. A few years ago (before Facebook killed many of the blogs), it used to track stories of science & religion, especially those related to Muslim societies. That is still one of its foci, but now it dovetails more of Salman's interests including film, astronomy, science fiction, and science outreach in both Pakistan and the US.
Irtiqa literally means evolution in Urdu. But it does not imply only biological evolution. Instead, it is an all encompassing word used for evolution of the universe, biological evolution, and also for biological/human development. While it has created confusion in debates over biological evolution in South Asia, it provides a nice integrative name for this blog. For further information, contact Salman Hameed.
The blog banner is designed by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad. You can find all his creative endeavors at Orangie.
Salman Hameed
Salman is an astronomer and Associate Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, Massachusetts. Currently, he is working on understanding the rise of creationism in contemporary Islamic world and how Muslims view the relationship between science & religion. He is also working with historian Tracy Leavelle at Creighton University to analyze reconciliation efforts between astronomers and Native Hawaiians over telescopes on top of sacred Mauna Kea in Hawaii. He teaches “History and Philosophy of Science & Religion” with philosopher Laura Sizer, and “Science in the Islamic World”, both at Hampshire College. Salman and Laura Sizer are also responsible for the ongoing Hampshire College Lecture Series on Science & Religion, and you can find videos of all these lectures below. Contact information here.
LABELS
- Arab Spring
- art
- Astronomy
- Astronomy Pictures from Pakistan
- atheism
- beliefs of scientists
- Catholic Church and science
- creationism
- education
- education in muslim world
- ethics morality and science
- evolution
- faith and medicine
- film theater and television
- Friday Journal Club
- general
- history
- humor
- intelligent design
- Irtiqa Conversations
- Islam and Modernity
- islam and science
- Islamic Calendar
- islamic creationism
- Judaism and science
- media
- Muslims in Europe
- off topic
- Pakistan
- politics of science and religion
- posts by Nidhal Guessoum
- primates
- pseudoscience
- religion and environmentalism
- Religion and Health
- Religion and Technology
- Saturday Video
- science and Native religions
- science and religion books
- science fiction
- science in muslim world
- science of belief
- science of morality
- science religion and terrorism
- UFO religions
Blog Archive
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2009
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May
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- Hoodbhoy on Pakistan's nuclear test anniversary
- Cults, sects, and the Scientology trial
- Scientology on trial in France
- A congress to analyze the Galileo Affair
- Sufi Jihad in Somalia
- Taking the six-day creation story on...science
- South Asian attitudes toward education for women
- Natural-born supernaturalists
- Hunting aliens
- Witch hunts in Gambia
- Journalistic ethics and outing Raelians
- Getting closer on solving the origins of life ques...
- The Taliborg!
- Inanity square: Denyse O'Leary on Harun Yahya
- Off-Topic: Go see Leonard Cohen Live
- Name worshiping and the mathematics of infinity
- Poisoning of students and a map of conflict
- Emma and the tone of "Origin of Species"
- Evolution and functionality of religions
- Films tackling religion
- Documentary brings Muslims boldly into the 19th ce...
- Can we call creationism a "superstitious nonsense"?
- Roger Ebert on death
- Congressman Mike Pence on evolution
- More astronomy news from Pakistan
- Madrasas in Punjab and the recruitment of suicide ...
- LHC and a lesson in probabilities
- Reasons for switching religions
- Zakir Naik's rant against evolution
- Study of irreligion
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May
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1 comments:
It was amusing to watch Congressman Pence attempt to straddle the fence on the question of whether Intelligent Design should be taught alongside Evolution. His failed attempts to integrate religious dogma into a broader definition of science clearly show how far the theocrats are willing to distort reality to conform to their biblical world view.
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