Let the Quote Mining of Roger Ebert Begin

roger ebert the creationist

In case you are just now catching up, Roger Ebert posted a Q&A of creationist beliefs (6000 year old earth etc) on his blog the other day. The thought that such an apparently intelligent man could believe such nonsense caused quite a stir – PZ Meyers spoke about it here.

Today, PZ posted a follow-up after Ebert himself posted an explanation for the creationism satire. As usual, PZ’s analysis is insightful, as are the many comments left by readers of his blog.

One point I haven’t yet seen mentioned by either PZ or Ebert is that Ebert’s original article will, if my guess is right, be used extensively by creationists to bolster their dark-age views.

We’ve seen it before. Einstein, Stephen Hawking and even Charles Darwin have been quote-mined and taken out of context. And, despite our best efforts, as time passes, the myths of these incorrect uses of their words becomes further ingrained in those who would rather not delve deeper.

So, Mr. Ebert – although you may have made a point about our inability to see satire, you (and we) will pay a price.

Your name is, as we speak, undoubtedly being added to the list of people who believe in creationism. Well done.

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September 24, 2008 · Filed Under Atheism, Religulous

Comments

7 Responses to “Let the Quote Mining of Roger Ebert Begin”

  1. GentlePath on September 24th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    It really is hard to know what’s satire and what’s not when people believe consistently believe stupid shit. You really can’t tell the difference – and that should be an indicator to all of us that we’re in trouble. Unless you’re in the know, how can you tell the difference between the Landover Baptist Church website and the Westboro Baptist Church website?

    Reply to this comment

  2. Mark on September 24th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Hi GentlePath,

    I understand the point but are you seeing mine? I am merely saying Ebert has set himself up for being quote-mined. In 20 years, there will be creationists STILL saying that he believed in creationism.

    Reply to this comment

  3. GentlePath on September 24th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    I see your point — I was agreeing with you!

    Reply to this comment

  4. postsimian on September 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    *de-lurks*

    And we’ll still be around to mock them with ridicule since reason is obviously out of the question.

    *lurk mode:  ON!*

    Reply to this comment

  5. Mark on September 29th, 2008 at 1:30 am

    I have hope that this won’t be the case.  As Ebert relates on his blog, he got thousands of emails from people criticising his piece, yet not a single email from a creationist congratulating him for it.  Two possibilities: 1) Creationists got it and understood they were being mocked. 2) Creationists just don’t spend a lot of time reading the writings of artsy-fartsy Pulitzer Prize-winning film critics in the first place.

    Reply to this comment

  6. Doug on April 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Re: Two possibilities: 1) Creationists got it and understood they were being mocked. 2) Creationists just don’t spend a lot of time reading the writings of artsy-fartsy Pulitzer Prize-winning film critics in the first place.

    I would think it 1), if only that Roger Ebert has been fairly public with his atheism over the years

    Reply to this comment

  7. Wounnynix on February 20th, 2010 at 2:46 pm

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    Reply to this comment

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