Some Random Transphobia
Not so random, actually. PZ Myers at Pharyngula posts about how Sal Cordova attacked Joan Roughgarden for being a Christian evolutionary biologist who was born male.
As Myers quotes,
Will other Darwinists follow suit and have themselves neutered like Roughgarden? How about it PZ or Ed Brayton, or the boys at ATBC? Of course, this will inhibit the passing of their genes, and thus, such Darwinists evidence themselves as being biologically unfit. The irony is that with a high incidence of homosexuality in Darwinian circles, they demonstrate themselves to be biologically unfit.
Oh, the comedy, the laughter, over this. Yeah, disagree with a woman’s science, attack her genitalia. Great work, Sal. You’re a credit to your kind.
November 27, 2007 at 11:16 am
Well it seems we are talking about a NBC paid personality, so having left my TV set 10 years ago when Rush Limbaugh was considered logic, I have to wonder if things have improved? If not, I seriously doubt that reason will ever be trumped by “the zinger.” I am not sure exactly what evolutionary theory relating to Christianity is but I know the idea is “survival of the fittest.”
Hmmm, well, the one tribe that kicked American butt was the Sioux (Battle Little Big Horn) who regularly had transgendered individuals, Berdache, or as they were known in the Sioux tribe, winktes: http://www.nu-woman.com/berdache.htm. The Sioux also had transmen who lived the life of a warrior. So it doesn’t seem that diversity and acceptance hurt their survival (well until Mr. Winchester invented the rifle).
Also, unlike the white supremist heterosexist film 300, the Spartans were gay through and through - they believe that if you were lovers with the people you fought with, you fought better - indeed, their entire society was built around eugenics (Darwinian Principles) and they were unbeatable at the one thing they cared about (fighting) for 800 years. They believed regular same sex encounters made male better at fighting and since the world hasn’t really seen anything quite like them since (they had an average life expectancy in the 80’s; you didn’t get to vote until you were 60) - seems like both transgender people and homosexuals, instead of unfit, are something Sal Cordova and maybe the Darwinians should explore in further detail - I can provide them with the names of some clubs that are newbie friendly.
November 27, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I love your modest proposals.
Also, good points about the Spartans and the Sioux.
I’ve come across commentary recently that ‘berdache’ is offensive terminology, and have tried to avoid using it myself.
November 27, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Oh, I was not aware of that. Do you have sources I can read to understand that because I have seen it used so often, I know it is a “generic” term, but I would like to find if it has been misused or how it is seen as offensive (like is “winktes” considered offensive?) - thanks.
November 27, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Here’s one description.
Basically, berdache is a word with European origins and connotations. I believe “winkte” is fine, though, as it’s the word that Sioux used.
November 28, 2007 at 9:12 am
the bashing that sal engages in is typical for the ignorant. when there’s nothing of substance to dispute with a person’s science or theories, they attack the person’s physical or biological status. and the rest of the ignorant encourages that and laughs along.
the problem is the sheer numbers of the ignorant.
November 28, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Yes, true. It’s classic bullshitting, and by “classic” I mean “stupid.”
December 20, 2007 at 5:37 am
Ugh. I thought I was past being offended by anything that came out of the Discovery Institute, but they really work at it. Apparently it is not enough to be merely wrong.