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Voodoo Paleontology

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Voodoo

Image Credit: ChrisGoldNY


I propose a new term for paleontological quackery, which I think accurately describes a fairly major portion of the attacks made on the fossil record and evolution.  The term is, of course, Voodoo Paleontology.

It is inspired by Ronald Reagan’s logic-be-damned promises to cut taxes, raise military spending, and balance the budget.  Since increasing spending while cutting revenue does not balance budgets, George H. W. Bush labelled the plan “Voodoo Economics“.  But Reagan firmly believed that tax cuts would pay for themselves, which of course proved not to be the case.  Reaganonomics were not based on how economies actually operate, but how Reagan and his team wished they would operate.

Thus, Voodoo Paleontology is not based on reality, but on what Voodoo paleontologists wish was reality.  The Voodoo paleontologist does not let any fact get in the way in “proving” their case, which today almost always involves a 6000 year old earth.

Voodoo Paleontology is:

  1. Claiming that no clear transitional forms have been found.  This is a total abandonment of reality.  Transitional forms abound.  They mention a few really good ones in the link above, and then makes a vague claim that scientists simply made a mistake, and they aren’t really transitional forms after all.
  2. Claiming that the earth is only 6000 years old, and that the great flood only makes it look old.  Evidence?  The bible says so, and the bible isn’t even allowed to contain metaphors (let along inaccuracies).
  3. Ignoring the fact that the bible doesn’t say the earth is only 6000 years old, a number that was calculated in the 17th century.
  4. Claiming to disprove the entire field of paleontology, while presenting no plausible alternative explanations.
  5. Claiming that the implausible explanations are plausible, mainly because the bible says so (even though in many cases, it doesn’t).
  6. And much, much, much more.

That is a selected list of what Voodoo paleontology is.  There are also many things it isn’t.  Voodoo paleontology isn’t science, it isn’t plausible, and most importanly, Voodoo paleontology isn’t Paleontology.

Comments

3 Responses to “Voodoo Paleontology”

  1. Raptor Lewis on March 7th, 2009 1:34 pm

    Yeah….but if it bothers us sooo badly, why do we even continue to bring it up? Not all creationists make these claims….or, at least, not aloud, anyway. Just ranting about it doesn’t help the situation…it essentially continues it creating an infinite subject of debate. I, for one, am tired of discussing it and, therefore have dropped it altogether. I see no point in arguing. Some of us have chosen a finite point to it. I’d suggest you do the same.

  2. admin on March 7th, 2009 4:15 pm

    As long as creationists reject science, I will write about it.

    People like Kem Ham want to destroy evolution. They don’t want anyone to learn about it, and they want everyone to reject it.

    If nobody speaks up to support evolution, it will just make their task easier.

  3. Four Stone Hearth 62 the OSSA edition « Osteologiska föreningen on March 11th, 2009 7:15 am

    [...] vampires to Voodoo. Do you know the term Voodoo paleontology? eTrilobite.com does! It is a term based on political rhetorics he wishes to use for certain [...]

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