No, the threat isn’t from who you think this time.
Now and then, Texas Freedom Network (TFN) has crossed our news desk, fronting Darwin, all Darwin, and only Darwin in the schools, opposing any right to dissent in education about evolution.
A friend drew attention to this post on their blog, “Creationist Demands That Houston Museum Ban Atheists and Science Supporters” (July 31, 2013) – and the creationists’ side is here and here. One of the commenters at TFN, angry about creationist opposition, ironically provides a basis for more general concern about TFN’s use of public science museum facilities:
I would like to cut off the heads of these fanatics and spit in it.. no pity for such ignorant scum who are destroying the earth in the name of a fairy tale god.. pathetic in the age of science this type of person is allowed to breath. This may sound harsh but these people are nothing but a destructive force against nature and humanity. I personally belive anyone who take thier child to a church should loose custody and be imprisoned for child abuse.
It’s no surprise this Darwinian atheist yearns for freedom. Every inmate of a prison or asylum who acts out such fantasies wants freedom too.
Dissenting views on the history of life do not threaten civil liberties. But this sort of thing does.
For one thing, if this sentiment is tolerated at TFN, a question arises as to whether the group should have access to public facilities. No group that promotes, encourages, or tolerates hatred or violence should have such access. TFN may be entitled to tolerate or even encourage that type of opinion (it’s a legally dicey area, actually*), but not to public support or subsidy.
Surely, the best solution for TFN’s opponents is to sign up for the programs in public places and listen carefully, without comment. Make a record of public statements that appear to promote hatred or violence, and make them a political issue.
As Professor Rosenberg says, Darwinism (of which he is a proponent) does not provide a basis for morality.
But so much the worse for Darwinism, and so much the less reason to believe it or want it taught in schools.
*Because if anything dreadful should happen, officials may discern a trail back to the group … – O’Leary for News