Hedges and Me #5

"Cult of science.." authors (E.O.) "Wilson &" (Richard) "Dawkins build their vision of human perfectibility out of the legitimately scientific theory that human beings are shaped by the laws of heredity and natural selection.  They depart from this position when they assert that we can leave that determinism behind.  There is nothing in science that implies that our genetic makeup allows us to perfect ourselves.  Those who, in the name of science, claim that we can overcome our imperfect human nature create a belief system that functions like religion.  It gives meaning, it gives purpose and hope.  But it is a myth.  It is not true.  And there is nothing, when you cut through their scientific jargon, to support their absurd proposition." (pages 53-54 - "I Don't Believe in Atheists") 

"These atheists, like Christian fundamentalists, corrupt evolutionary biology.  They assert that evolutionary biology implies an absolute materialism that banishes the role of religion.  The Christian fundamentalists do this to discredit science and defend their absurd biblical myths.  The new atheists do this to discredit religion and justify their faith in the cult of science.  These atheists use science the way religious fundamentalists use religions, to arrogate to themselves moral authority over all creation, including those without their own species who are too dim to see the truth.  They alone (they think( understand how to bring about collective salvation and redeem the human race." (page 57 - "I Don't Believe in Atheists")

While typing these ideas I was again thankful I had read Hedges' previous work "American Fascists" first because I realized that both his books are attempting to help us understand how these extremist groups (Christian fundamentalists & cult of science atheists) are irrational and intent on bringing about an apocalyptic new heaven and new Earth.  They are similar but different groups, picturing themselves as gods, and heading us in the same direction of death and destruction.  

Have you noticed how so much of  modern day "science fiction" has to do with a post apocalypse earth/world?  It's not about how the world will be enhanced and made better with "far out" inventions but rather how the "evildoers" will destroy life as we know it.  We underestimate the evil within that lies beneath our consciousness both personal and collective.  Yes, it is the same concept religion calls "sin."  We underestimate the presence of evil/sin within ourselves and overestimate its presence in "them."  We justify the destruction of evil/sin in "them" while fueling the evil/sin that resides in "us."

I do not like the direction "we" and "they" are heading.