Editing 154: Beliefs
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic is a reference to {{ | + | This comic is a reference to {{w|Young Earth Creationism}}, which includes the belief that the earth has only existed for about 6,000 years. Young Earth Creationism is mainly based on {{w|Biblical literalism|literal interpretations of the Bible}}, which is frowned upon by most Bible scholars, to say nothing of empirical scientists. |
− | The | + | The professor is originally not bothered by the fact that someone believes in Young Earth Creationism and simply tells the child to look at the scientific evidence. She assumes that even a child could see that the creationist arguments make no sense and can safely be ignored. However, she then hears that the person is actually a {{w|United States Senate|US senator}}, who would presumably influence national policy according to his creationist beliefs. This, she acknowledges, is an actual problem. |
− | The | + | The comment on the fossils refers to an argument by Young Earth Creationists about the discovery of fossilized sea creatures at high altitudes. While mainstream science sees this as evidence of geological processes taking far longer than six thousand years, these creationists say that sea life reached these locations during a worldwide flood that covered even the tops of mountains. |
− | The | + | The story of this flood, colloquially called "the parable of Noah's Ark", is found in the Biblical book of [http://biblehub.com/genesis/6.htm Genesis, chapters six through nine]. Most Bible scholars and empirical scientists believe the story of Noah's Ark and the flood is an exaggerated retelling of an actual flood that threatened large swathes of human life; but again, literalism is as literalism does. Though it is not stated in the Bible story, many sea creatures are presumed to have died at high altitudes when the waters lowered. This is the Young Earth Creationist explanation for the fossils. |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Megan and a professor stand together, with another figure in the distance.] |
− | : | + | :Megan: Professor, that man claims the earth is 6,000 years old! |
:Professor: So? Just use your head and don't concern yourself overmuch with what other people think. | :Professor: So? Just use your head and don't concern yourself overmuch with what other people think. | ||
− | : | + | :Megan: But he says the fossils in the mountains were put there in a flood! |
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:Professor: Well, evidence suggests that they were not. | :Professor: Well, evidence suggests that they were not. | ||
− | : | + | :Megan: But he-- |
− | :[A mountain landscape | + | :[A mountain landscape.] |
− | :Professor | + | :Professor: A million people can call the mountains a fiction, yet it need not trouble you as you stand atop them. |
− | :[ | + | :[Megan and professor again.] |
− | : | + | :Megan: But he believes the silliest things! |
:Professor: So? | :Professor: So? | ||
− | + | :Professor: The universe doesn't care what you <u>believe</u>. The wonderful thing about science is that it doesn't ask for your faith, it just asks for your eyes. | |
− | :Professor: The universe doesn't care what you <u>believe</u>. | ||
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− | : | + | :Megan: But he's a US Senator! |
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:Professor: Ah, then yes, we do have a bit of a situation. | :Professor: Ah, then yes, we do have a bit of a situation. | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | |
[[Category:Comics with color]] | [[Category:Comics with color]] | ||
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[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
[[Category:Religion]] | [[Category:Religion]] | ||
[[Category:Politics]] | [[Category:Politics]] |