Mission: Imperative!
“What’s nice about science is, if things don’t make sense, you can question them and not get fired for it”. In high school, Dr. Polly Matzinger was voted “most likely not to succeed”. But, through the encouragement of some college professor friends, she pursued her education the whole way to a doctorate degree in immunology. She now has scientists working for her at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
She has developed a new theory about how our bodies’ immune systems work. It differs greatly from the accepted norm. If she’s right, it could revolutionize the way that diseases are understood and treated. Her theory was developed because she questioned long – held beliefs about how the immune system functions. She doubted the status quo. She believed that what was accepted by most, if not all, scientists was wrong.
Now, many of them are coming over to her side, convinced that she very possibly is right. In responding to her status as a forward-thinking groundbreaker, she said, “What’s nice about science is, if things don’t make sense, you can question them and not get fired for it”.
Well, at least that’s the way it should be; perhaps the way it probably is in most scientific disciplines – except if you question evolution! You don’t dare question that!
Why don’t you dare question evolution? – especially as a scientist? Because EVERYBODY knows it’s true! All “credible” scientists believe it! Nobody of intellect doubts it. Only those poor boneheads who’ve been duped by outdated and ridiculous religious dogma question evolution.
Wait, now! Imagine if you were a scientist who had the same questions and doubts about evolution that Dr. Matzinger had about accepted norms in her field? According to her, you can go ahead and question the theory without fear of losing your job! Right?…..WRONG!
In an article printed in The Ledger (February 17, 2000) entitled, “The Biologist”, the author recounts an interview with a scientist who is working on the human genome project. His specific focus is on the genetic controls of diseases, the purpose for which would be to eliminate them! Pretty good idea!
The interviewer asked the scientist about his beliefs on evolution. His answer was shocking. He said that he knows of NOBODY in his whole profession who believes in evolution any more. He said that genetic information was designed by “genius beyond genius”. When asked if he has ever lectured on or written about this viewpoint, his answer was just as shocking as the first. He said, “No, I just say it evolved. To be a molecular biologist requires one to hold on to two insanities at all times. 1) It would be insane to believe in evolution when you can see the truth for yourself, and 2) It would be insane to say you don’tbelieve in evolution because all government work, research grants, papers, college lectures – everything would stop.
I’d be out of a job….”
(Huh?! I thought in science, if things don’t make sense, you could question the.. ……oh, never mind!)
The geneticist being interviewed said something else interesting. He said, “The work I do in genetic research is honorable. We will find the cures to many of mankind’s worst diseases. But in the meantime, we have to live with the elephant in the living room.”
“What elephant?” asked the interviewer.
“Creation design. It’s like an elephant in the living room. It moves around, takes up an enormous amount of space, loudly trumpets, bumps into us, knocks things over, eats a ton of hay, and smells like an elephant. And yet we have to swear it isn’t there!”
Well, Dr. Polly?
Love the work of Mission Imperative. I have many of the videos which my grandchildren enjoy despite not being taught at home. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
Every teenager should be armed and primed for higher education with a copy of Mike Snavely’s essay.