Bill Nye Boo'd In Texas For Saying The Moon Reflects The Sun

reply to post by Spiramirabilis


Your adding your own spin to what I wrote. I meant exactly what I wrote why would you bring up The Bible or religion at a science lecture, because they are two unrelated subjects. I wasn't implying the Bible or religion aren't up for discussion.
By your logic, it would be perfectly normal to talk about Edgar Allen Poe's mysterious death during a culinary arts lecture???
Or how about discussing Shakespeare's true identity during a computer networking lecture?
How about Harry Potter during a global warming lecture?
Batman during a medical lecture???
What about NASA how come they don't feel the need to point out how The Bible was wrong to illustrate how they landed a rover on mars?

Maybe math classes should discuss civil war battles too, maybe dental school should teach aspiring dentists about ancient Egypt.

reply to post by olaru12


You direct people to an "infomercial" website....how can people take this serious?!

reply to post by SasquatchHunter

Your adding your own spin to what I wrote. I meant exactly what I wrote why would you bring up The Bible or religion at a science lecture, because they are two unrelated subjects.

No spin - it didn't need any spin. I also meant what I wrote

I wasn't implying the Bible or religion aren't up for discussion.

You absolutely were and are :-)

From your other post:

If you search Bill Nye on Google some of the suggestions
"Bill Nye is a douche
tool
jerk"
Hmmmm....

You don't like him? Well - you don't have to. But, don't you wonder why he brought religion into the mix?

Anti-intellectualism is a tool and weapon - and it's not being used either politely or subtly. Some religious people (not all) have declared a war on knowledge in this country

Bill Nye is on a mission - an educational mission. Dismantling myth and dispelling ignorance is a big part of that

I say: go to it Bill

No spin

:-)

olaru12
www.thinkatheist.com...

Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.

I know that not all Texans reflect this type of belief in strict Biblical dogma, but it's prevalent enough for me to leave my family farm, lease it out and move away from Texas.

It's not really the strict adherence to biblical precepts, but the prevalent arrogant religious attitudes that prompted my move.

When you first meet someone in Texas, one of their first questions is "What church do you go to" That question determines your social standing in their eyes. When I mention that I'm a proud member of the church of the sub genius; you can imagine the look of absolute revulsion on their faces.

www.subgenius.com...

edit on 4-11-2013 by olaru12 because: (no reason given)

Speak for yourself and please, when referring to Texas and Texans, remember that the state is the size of France with as many cultural influences as an entire continent. I have the feeling you're from East Texas, or possibly the pan handle, but here in Austin and the affluent hill country, what you described is not the case. Austin, San Antonio, and all of the beautiful hill country in between are as progressive and forward thinking as most places in California (widely regarded as the most progressive state in the nation.)

To move away from Texas due to the reasons you stated, doesn't seem logical given the amount of space within Texas and the variations in the people from different regions. Dallas is COMPLETELY different from Houston and the like is for most of East Texas, compared to the hill country.

That being said, if you didn't move to CO, CA, WA, or OR, then you probably took a step or two back on the progressive thinking scale.

That being said, I really hope those folks in Waco begin to hold education in higher regards. That's one town in Texas I willingly avoid at all costs, aside from driving to Dallas once a month or so.

sheepslayer247
Forgive my ignorance, but where in the bible (or in any Christian teaching) does it say the moon emits it's own light?

Is this a religion matter, or a "stupid people" matter?

Both. From the article cited by the OP:

But nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars."

cited article

The problem here is that Bill Nye made the Bible appear "wrong" on the surface, like someone trying to discredit the Bible, and that made people upset. When in reality, Bill Nye is playing with semantics and didn't discredit anything.

The Bible makes no claim that the Moon creates light, it merely refers to it as a source of light, which it is. The Moon provides light, it doesn't matter if it is only a reflection.

The word "light" can mean anything that provides light.

amazing this thread is still open.

7 pages of generalizing and bashing people because they live in a certain region.

had it been any other people or any other region this wouldnt have made it to page 2....

well hey while were at it Muslims all want to kill you and the British have horrid dental hygiene...anyone from India smells like curry, OH and i forgot all minority groups in America live off welfare....am i trendy and popular yet?

Spiramirabilis
reply to post by SasquatchHunter

 

Your adding your own spin to what I wrote. I meant eexactly what I wrote why would you bring up The Bible or religion at a science lecture, because they are two unrelated subjects.

No spin - it didn't need any spin. I also meant what I wrote

I wasn't implying the Bible or religion aren't up for discussion.

You absolutely were and are :-)

From your other post:

If you search Bill Nye on Google some of the suggestions
"Bill Nye is a douche
tool
jerk"
Hmmmm....

You don't like him? Well - you don't have to. But, don't you wonder why he brought religion into the mix?

Anti-intellectualism is a tool and weapon - and it's not being used either politely or subtly. Some religious people (not all) have declared a war on knowledge in this country

Bill Nye is on a mission - an educational mission. Dismantling myth and dispelling ignorance is a big part of that

I say: go to it Bill

No spin

:-)

edit on 11/5/2013 by Spiramirabilis because: (no reason given)

Science works just fine without religion however much you, the op, the atheist blogger that embellished this story, adisagree with religion or Christians , its not your right to impose your views on people. No one is forcing you or them to believe in God or go to church.
I could care less about Bill Nye, it is Google who does not like him those were SEARCH SUGGESTIONS FROM GOOGLE.

One lady felt the same way that day in Waco she stood up said we believe in God and left that's all that happened. No one booed Bill Nye or shouted or believes the moon is a fiery inferno.

Bill was dishonest by using his platform to bring up religion at a science lecture, NOT A DEBATE.
The atheist blogger was dishonest by fabricating the details of the event.
The OP was dishonest posting this thread knowing the blog post was bogus.
You are dishonest by ignoring the fact that religion/philosophy and science are different subjects and following 3 dishonest people who came before you.

buster2010
Well Bill Nye is just talking crazy. Everybody knows the Sun goes down at night so how can the Moon be reflecting sun light.

The Sun doesn't go down every night, the Sun is a coward and runs away from the Moon, and hides under the sea until the scary moon get's bored looking for it, then it sneaks up out of the waves in the morning.

Blimey, everyone knows that.


Some people...sheesh.

reply to post by MysterX


He was being sarcastic..
Anyhow everyone knows that the Big spaghetti monster eats the sun then poos it out in the morning

boymonkey74
reply to post by MysterX

 

He was being sarcastic..

SO WAS I!!!

Bloody hell mate, give me SOME credit will ya.

Anyhow everyone knows that the Big spaghetti monster eats the sun then poos it out in the morning

Phew...you've just restored my faith (no pun) in my fellow Brits! Good edit.

And it's alphabetty spaghetti...to be precise.

reply to post by TXRabbit


By the tone of your post, you only believe in "free-thought" if it is just like yours. How is that freedom?

ChesterJohn

olaru12
www.thinkatheist.com...

Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.

I know that not all Texans reflect this type of belief in strict Biblical dogma, but it's prevalent enough for me to leave my family farm, lease it out and move away from Texas.

It's not really the strict adherence to biblical precepts, but the prevalent arrogant religious attitudes that prompted my move.

When you first meet someone in Texas, one of their first questions is "What church do you go to" That question determines your social standing in their eyes. When I mention that I'm a proud member of the church of the sub genius; you can imagine the look of absolute revulsion on their faces.

www.subgenius.com...

edit on 4-11-2013 by olaru12 because: (no reason given)

Sorry to burst your bubble but there is no strict Biblical Dogma that says the moon emits its own light. As a matter of Biblical knowledge it teaches that the moon does reflect the sun. that is why the glory of the moon is less than that of the glory of the sun and the Sun is referred to as a Him/his and the moon a her. A wife always reflects the glory of her husband (well until of late with modern feminist movement which is at the root of what pretty much destroyed the US).

Because God forbid a woman should be more than a reflection of her husband! heresy!
how dare women want to be treated as equals, how dare women argue that no God wouild dictate that half of his human creations are less than the other half.
Basically any sane person knows God would never say that, and it is obviously something written by human males for the benefit of human males.

buster2010
Well Bill Nye is just talking crazy. Everybody knows the Sun goes down at night so how can the Moon be reflecting sun light.

You, Sir, just made my day - star and applause.

reply to post by SasquatchHunter

Science works just fine without religion…

Absolutely - it does

Here’s just one example of what’s been happening in Texas:
Textbook publishers ignoring Texas school board’s inane interventions. Science stays in place after the board's reviewers request other stuff.

Textbook publishers have largely ignored the suggestions made by reviewers appointed by the Texas State School Board. Various members of the board have been attempting to undercut the teaching of evolution when formulating new science standards. After a tough fight that resulted in some confusing requirements, textbook makers were given the chance to implement the new standards. Naturally, when it came time to review the texts, the school board appointed a handful of creationists to the review group.

Just as naturally, those individuals requested that "'creation science' based on biblical principles should be incorporated into every biology book that is considered for adoption" and complained about how evolution was presented. The textbooks were supposed to be revised to reflect these complaints. Now, the publishers have submitted the texts they were supposed to have revised in light of these complaints. And, the good news is that the texts seem fine.

So, still no clues about why Mr. Nye included a biblical reference in his presentation?

You’ll argue he shouldn’t have made it at all - because science and religion don’t mix :-)

As I mentioned in my earlier post - if he’d referenced a religious story about the moon from ancient Mesoamerica or Greece, or possibly the Koran or Hindus - nobody would have said a thing. But it’s hands off the Bible. Was it disrespectful to explain - rather simply and briefly - that the moon is not actually a light? Because saying so would offend Christians? How many Christians do you know actually believe the moon is a giant light in the night sky?

Meanwhile, you have to wonder why anybody that would be so offended by a reference like this that they get up and walk out was even doing there at a science lecture in the first place

however much you, the op, the atheist blogger that embellished this story, adisagree with religion or Christians…

You see this as persecution?

The story was exaggerated - somewhat. There’s an entire article dedicated to tracking this story and explaining who really said what - along with where and when they said it. But - the basic story is true. What’s really fascinating about this story and all of the many reiterations and variations is how much play it got - and is still getting - 7 years later. Why do you think that is?

…its not your right to impose your views on people. No one is forcing you or them to believe in God or go to church.

If that's true, then why is the church trying to force it's views on others? Not one person was forced to go to this lecture. What Mr. Nye said was only insulting if you have a chip on your shoulder or you’re anti-science

Bill was dishonest by using his platform to bring up religion at a science lecture, NOT A DEBATE.

I disagree - what he said was nothing but honest - you just don’t like that he said it. Was it provocative?

Yes. Do you still not get it?

You want a separation of science and religion? Put your money where your mouth is and be honest about what’s really going on out there. Some Christians claim they’re being persecuted - meanwhile there’s an attempted persecution of science underway - and it’s blatant

You are dishonest by ignoring the fact that religion/philosophy and science are different subjects and following 3 dishonest people who came before you.

You call me dishonest? :-) I just don't agree with you is all

The basic story is true even if a bit embellished. Apparently nobody booed - but they did walk out muttering about religion

The OP is making a valid point

And - I don’t have any problem with letting the foods on my plate touch each other :-)

The only one being disingenuous here is you - you won’t just come out and say why you’re angry

You still want us to believe it’s because science and religion don’t mix and that Mr. Nye has committed some sort of crime

:-)

I have no idea what these people think the moon is. Even if it were a spaceship, it would still reflect sunlight. Even the vatican eventually gave a formal apology to Galileo, you know?

To what benefit does it serve to continue to believe in "flat-earth" ideals?

reply to post by olaru12



Oh give me a break, the Bible says a lesser light to rule the night, it doesn't say it makes the light. It does shine forth light, that is true isn't it? You could say it emits light in a sense just does so by reflecting it. We are also talking about multiple translations from the original text into English, so the exact detailed meaning can vary as well.

I swear some people are so pathetic in the attempts to discredit the Bible.

Bill Nye is a secular poster boy who promotes the Evolution Myth. Seriously if some of these Evolution believers would scrutinize Evolution with they way the do the Bible they definitely wouldn't believe in the Darwinian Evolution fairytale.

Flatfish
reply to post by olaru12

 

As a native Texan and lifelong resident of the state, I can tell that "You are so right!" We raise some real brainiacs down here in the lone star state.

I too thought about leaving the state but then I realized that at this rate, it won't be long before their heads explode and maybe we can turn this state blue again. Go Wendy Davis!

I applaud you for not leaving...because that would just make the problem worse.

We need the smart and educated people to stay in Texas and help educate all the rest.

So a Christian booed, yet they didn't, they walked out, it happened years ago and is not new news, and Christian haters find this so much fun?

To judge them for this small incident, yet I never see you on any other threads, I never see you make fun of Wiccans or Muslims or any other metaphysical topic for their belief in the supernatural to the same extent as you dish out the crap on Christians.

2 billion Christians in the world from many different levels of faith, individuals from all walks of life, and you hate them all.

That must be exhausting carrying around that load ever day.

All this over a BOO that didn't happen.

amazing, makes you feel really superior, doesn't it?

That's what it is all about actually.

Well, bye.. Goodluck on your new home. Maybe your can buy a farm in Kansas next to the "god hates _____" Westboro group?
If you find a state that doesn't have a fanatical group of idiots be sure to let us know.
I dont think everyone from Kansas holds those same ideologies, and not everyone here acts like that. I have you pinned as a self righteous Atheist that "preaches" the nothingness as fanatically as a bible beatin southern Baptist.
Your sources are questionable at best, not saying it didn't happen, but if thats your reasoning for leaving then adios.