Slog - Comments on Ugh.

Comment by Vince

Vince — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:23:05 -0800

Jefferson's admiration of science is antithetical to superstitions about a creator. They can argue there is a creator but it is precisely because they can't prove it through empirical evidence that makes creationism superstition, plain and simple.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:28:21 -0800

Jefferson didn't know about germ theory, either, because it too hadn't been invented yet. Germs -- just a theory!

Jefferson also didn't know how to drive a car, therefore cars are against God's plan.

Comment by Ziggity

Ziggity — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:37:29 -0800

I'd like to hear what Weezy has to say about this.

Comment by laterite

laterite — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:40:45 -0800

I agree that he misappropriated by far too many politicians and public figures. Bobby Jindal is about as similar to Thomas Jefferson as he is to George Jefferson. I admire Jefferson precisely due to his seemingly contradictory nature. What he really did was evaluate a subject on its merits, and shaped a philosophy or opinion based upon those merits. Obama has a Jeffersonian nature in a lot of ways.

Comment by umvue

umvue — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:01:57 -0800

Ugh. It's always Ugh.

It's telling how someone could type "...Jefferson believed that empirical data..." while themselves ignoring the empirical data. Ugh. And, may I add, Ach!

Comment by Dougsf

Dougsf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:17:23 -0800

"Jefferson not only believed in intelligent design, he insisted it was based on the plain evidence of nature, not religion."

That's an incredibly ironic sentence. That's kinda how I feel about ghosts. I don't really believe in them, but I'm not gonna SAY IT, since it might piss them off and they'll haunt my apartment.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:32:12 -0800

@2 - I hear Jefferson knew about submarines, though. Which is why the FSM loves Pirates.

Comment by douglas

douglas — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:56:52 -0800

@5 i would add barf to that. it's all pretty shameless.

Comment by robespierre & maurice

robespierre & maurice — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:07:51 -0800

Jefferson also famously rewrote the New Testament to strip Jesus' legacy of all things supernatural--the Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. He thought of himself as a Christian, but believed morals more important than hocus-pocus.

Comment by chasman

chasman — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:02:02 -0800

As I read those two quotes, I can't help but note that Jefferson twice states it is impossible for the human mind not to perceive design. It does not necessarily follow that Jefferson actually believed in anything like ID. The seemingness of design is in no way proof of design, any more that the seemingness of magic in a David Copperfield show is proof of levitation or teleportation.

Comment by uncle baggy

uncle baggy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:44:52 -0800

reading those asshats' blogs only gives them power. ignore them and they will disappear from your sphere of concern. Also, don't move to Kansas.