Why have creationists always been bent on impeding science?

Question

A good example of the type of scientific repression that creationists have imposed on science was shown in a Discovery channel program on the diciphering of the Egyptian Hieroglyphs.

Before Champollion was given the grant to go do the research, he was told explicitly that he was not to publish anything that he found that contradicted the Bible. In the course of his work, Champolllion discovered records of pre-dynastic king hierarchies that went back far beyond 6000 years, which was and still is the age of the Earth according to creationists.

Because of the threats by the Royal Society, which would have meant his not being able to publish anything, Champollion had to reluctantly leave out those facts that showed that Egyptian history went back further than 6000 years.

It was only after later researchers read his diaries that the truth emerged.

And this was the 19th century - not medieval times.

It makes you wonder why we still put up with these people.

Just an addendum to those who say that many researchers have been religious.

I see no problem in that. Even the big bang is a mystery with no known means of starting it, and hence we cannot possibly discount a supreme being that is controlling the who universe.

I am really being critical of not only those who have actively tried to impede discovery, but now those who refuse to believe evidence the truth of which any intelligent child could see.

Also, science admits no theory is infallible, so in that respect you cannot say evolution is not proven. It is simply not watertight, that is all.

But the fact that the world and the universe are infinitely older than 6000 years is irrefutible, not just according to a wealth of science, but by anybody who has eyes to see.

Answer 1

in the 19th century, christianity was at a peak. probably, the vatican felt threatened in their secure place as harbingers of salvation, and tried to re-assert its 'supremacy' over science by doing these deeds.
however, not all creationists impede scientists, nor all scientists impede creationists. einstein was religious, and so was darwin, and currently, rome has a somewhat healthy attitude towards science.

Answer 2

Most Creationists depend on a literal interpretation of the text of the Bible for their beliefs. Often not realizing that the words they are reading have been translated and transliterated from fragmented artifacts (which themselves were not the original), they seem to feel if they have misunderstood one portion of the text, the entire Bible is no longer valid. I do not believe they are willing to think their interpretation could be faulty any more than they could believe the Bible is not a perfect history of the past. In essence, they are too proud to believe they are capable of misunderstanding the Bible for some reason.

This is compounded greatly by some charlatans who publish videos, coffee table books, pamphlets, and open side-show style "museums" to promote Creationism. Almost without fail, they use known lies (even after it is pointed out as obvious, intentional lies) and trickery over and over. Of course, they profit greatly from sales of these materials and the speech circuit at revivals and similar religious gatherings. I doubt many of this variety of Creationist actually believe what they are preaching and are only after the easy money gained by duping the scientifically illiterate, and telling them that Creationism is supported by more scientific facts than various fields of science are. Of course, they make up names for portions of fields like Biology to sound like religions ("Darwinism", "Evolutionism"), or call their religion a science, thus making it sound like it is competition. It's all part of the scam. But when pressed to provide any of the 'facts' they claim support Creationism, they never can come up with anything that can withstand the slightest empirical scrutiny, and usually just continue to repeat their unsupported claims anyway.

Answer 3

The bible makes creationists feel comforted and reassured because they believe they are the chosen people, the world they live in is revolving around them, they feel looked after, safe and secure in the knowledge that god wouldn't let anything bad happen to them, that they can do anything they want because god wouldn't allow them to do anything bad, that they don't need to worry about the environment because god wouldn't let it be spoiled and squandered, that god wouldn't let mistakes happen and that god wouldn't allow them to have bad leaders, which is of course there own delusion stemming from the fact the world is the exact opposite of that and that isn't a very comforting or reassuring thought.

And of course it is that Bogey man science that tells them truths that contradict there indoctrination and makes them feel very inferior and small and uncared for and insignificant and vunerable and fallible, which is not what someone who believes the opposite ever wants to hear, that's why they impede it, fight it and hold it back. And the very fact that a people think they can do no wrong and nothing bad will happen because they are under gods protection assures that they will do wrong and that bad things will happen because of the lack of even the idea of there own fallibility (that they could possibly be wrong about ANYTHING and need to be vigulent for there own mistakes), the lack of trying to prevent bad things from happening and when they do happen then they have no planning for how to deal with them.

For an example look at hurricane katrina, how they levees weren't up to snuff, how the planning was a mess, how the recovery isn't happening, allot of it comes from the fact people thought god wouldn never allow it to happen and didn't push for proper precautions.

Answer 4

Many truly religious people have made great contributions to science. Darwin was studying for the ministry before he joined The Beagle, William Buckland was an ordained minister when he realised the "signs of the flood" he found were actually caused by glaciation.

Some people see religion as a "staff to guide them", others need it as a crutch to get through life. To find, or accept, that your crutch has woodworm destroys the whole basis of your life. Remember the day you discovered that Father Christmas didn't actually bring your presents?

Answer 5

I remember reading how in the medieval times how Religion did the same to some chap who proved the earth was round.
Hey but honestly its Bible bashing also live and let live I think

Answer 6

The religeous heretics that have been in control know that they are losing their grip on the public. Hence, they have to attack science because if they don't then they have no one to blame for their demise. Afterall, they can't wait for the Second Coming to thumb your noses at all the scientific "sinners". It is their way of staying relevent, at least in their minds. As to why we put up with it, I don't know. Maybe many people have a deep dread of "What if they are right?"

Answer 7

My first question is, what is your source. Champollion was first a linguist working to decipher hieroglyphics. He was an historian second and I haven't seen much writing or research that shows what you are claiming.

My second question is, why do you have to put up with these people? Aren't creationist allowed to have an opinion that is contrary to yours? Isn't the evolutionary model, still just a model? It has never been proved, not can it be. So what takes more faith? Believing in a greater being with intelligence and design or trusting in the luck of the draw?

Ultimately, the God you deny created the science that you cling to. I don't discard science as fiction, I regard it as fact. Evolution, Big-bang.... etc, are not fact, they are at best, unproven theoretical models. So by believing in them so steadfastly, you are indeed guilty of what you accuse creationist of being.

Answer 8

They did the same thing to Galilaeo when he said that the earth went around the sun instead of the other way around, they don't want people questioning them even if they know they're wrong.

Answer 9

They don't understand it so they fear it. It's much easier to believe fairy stories about Adam and Eve than to have to learn about the Theory of Evolution.

Answer 10

Ignorant people are always jealous of educated people. Unfortunately (at least in the U.S.) it's usually the ignorant who get elected.