The Jewmanist

I have always felt strongly about animal rights in a half-assed sort of way, being that I don’t subscribe to the notion that humans have “dominion” over other animals that they have been “put” here for whatever purpose we humans foresee. If I were to accept that idea, then clearly as a woman I must be here for men to do with whatever they please. But that’s purely offensive! As a woman, I think I should be equal to – and not above – any man, which parallels with my need (as the atheist in me) to be considered equally patriotic.

We are only animals, so why are other animals treated like they are in a class below? Perhaps because they can’t vocalize they’re own opinions? Other than that, we’re very similar. They have sexual instincts like humans (gay/straight/bi), in addition to the one who actually find life mates for the rest of their days. When one’s not strictly adhering to the stories of biblical texts, one can realize that men should not and cannot have “dominion” over women, as humans should not and cannot over other animals.

In this interview, Ben Stein answers the following:

5. What would you like to say to Darwin? 

“You are a wealthy man, you married a wealthy woman, why don’t you just live quietly out in the countryside and not torture us with your half-baked suppositions, which have caused so much misery?”

So, in essence, Stein wants Darwin to not have the same freedoms he is supposedly fighting for? Why don’t you just live quietly… Half-baked suppositions? Misery? Even if evolution was later proved to be incorrect, it’s always important to be aware of other theories. Sounds like he’s closer to that of a Nazi than those who he accuses. How dare he! (I don’t normally say “how dare” anyone, but he’s completely doing what he accuses “big science” of doing.)

I want to emphasize, Darwin was not like the crazed neo-Darwinists of today. Darwin believed in the freedom of inquiry. He encouraged there to be further study and debate. He said that in writing before he died. 

Since PZ Meyers has asked that we link to Expelled as much as we can, I decided to help out the cause. NOTE: I don’t usually do things just because I’m asked, as in the case of the Out Campaign “A” .

I realized that we shouldn’t have to do this for many reasons. The scientific truth should (ideally) stand taller than fabrications and cute stories. But not always. How can the support for science (evolution, in this case) ever be equated with Nazism and/or Fascism? I happen to see it closer to the other direction, though not completely. The mere idea that some very powerful voices want to suppress education and truth is not only befuddling but ethically perverse. I understand wanting to be heard, but it should not be done at the expense of some of the brightest scientists and well educated (as well as philosophical) persons.

I’m sure this isn’t news to most of you, but in case you aren’t a space geek like me:

The smallest extrasolar planet – weighing just 5 times that of Earth – may have been found, using a new technique that analyses changes in a known planet’s orbit. Though some scientists are skeptical of the claim, the research team says the new planet’s existence could be confirmed with further observations later this year. 

Dubbed GJ 436c, the planet orbits a dim red star 30 light years away in the constellation Leo and is one of the smallest exoplanets ever discovered – astronomers have previously found one that may be 5.5 times Earth’s mass.

(Read more at NewScientist.com.)