But, but, but Full Portions of the Armageddony!

From Hullabaloo, excerpts from the New Republic's poll of leading conversative thinkers on the question of whether they believe in evolution.  Survey says! 

(I refuse to dignify myself by following that up.)

One thing I find particularly amusing is David Frum's response to the idea that evolution ought to be taught in schools:

I don't believe that anything that offends nine-tenths of the American public should be taught in public schools. ... Christianity is the faith of nine-tenths of the American public. ... I don't believe that public schools should embark on teaching anything that offends Christian principle.

Yes David, that's wonderful, but has anyone reminded you lately that you're Jewish?  Is this really the precedent you want to set?  Should we teach history from a Christian perspective as well?  What with that sweet armageddony telos and its denial of you and yourn from the sweet part, I'm flabbergasted by my inability to think of why it shouldn't be.  It is what "nine-tenths of the American public believes."

(Then again, why should I expect much from the Reader's Digest resident fellow at the American Enterprise institute.  Reader's Digest endows fellows?  Do they have to read the whole book or are excerpts acceptable?  What about interviews with Harrison Ford?  Do they get to interview Harrison Ford?)

Comments

[The Real Stephen Schryer]

This is a pretty common argument for Jewish neo-cons, I believe. Both Leo Strauss and Irving Kristol made similar claims in the 1970s about the need for the school system to reflect the religious beliefs of average Americans. Of course, they excepted the ruling philosphical elite (themselves), who were mature enough to handle the skepticism that would corrode the morals of the rest of the population.

[Scott Eric Kaufman]

I know, I know, but it still rankles every time I read it...

[eb]

Perhaps the full Reader's Digest title used to be "Condensed Fellow", but, in the spirit of the magazine, that has been condensed, leaving only dense fellows to hold the endowed positions.