Thursday, November 11, 2004

WARNING!



My partner and I were discussing the evolution warning labels last night while I was making dinner. He suggested that those science textbooks should have a sticker that says, "This textbook contains material on science. Everything in here is a theory, not a fact. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

Then we got thinking about other warning labels.

This one should appear in Bibles: "The material contained in this book is not the word of God, but a representation of what many claim to be the word of God, as interpreted by translators, editors, copyists, compilers, and other wily interventionists. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

This one should appear on television news broadcasts: "This program is composed of assertions. Politics relies not on facts but attempts to persuade people to believe something that may or may not be good for them. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

This one should appear in Dr. Phil's and Dr. Laura's books: "This self-help book was written to earn a profit. The ideas included are oversimplified theories, not facts, regarding ways that you can become a better person. They have not been tested by scientists. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

This one should appear inside the Patriot Act: "This legislation compromises civil liberties. It presents theories, not facts, about how curbing such liberties can make you safe. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

This one should appear inside David Hager's books: "This book is composed of propaganda claiming to contain material on women's health; in fact, it limits women's health by insisting on so-called Christian values. Christianity is not a theory, nor a fact, but a religion, based on faith, and faith has little to do with the practice of medicine. This material should be approached with an open mind if it must be approached at all, studied carefully and critically considered. Then go get a second opinion"

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