Saturday, April 07, 2012

What Evidence is Not

An article in the Corvallis Gazette-Times about a man who owns a life-sized photograph of the Shroud of Turin includes this quote from him:
"Skeptics, there’s no evidence that will make them believe anything. But for Christians to be able to see this image displayed, it’s a very moving experience for them."
Which is kind of hilarious, because he has the situation exactly upside down -- it's precisely evidence that religious skeptics want! He doesn't seem to understand that what he has is a photograph, and not evidence per se.

In other news from the fringe, the town of Philomath (next to Corvallis) voted to reinstate fluoride to their water supply, after city councilors voted two years ago to take it out. A victory, if small. (Back story here.) Still, only 20% of Oregon residents have fluoride in their water supply (Portland does not); the nationwide average is about 67%.

2 comments:

charlesH said...

"only 20% of Oregon residents have fluoride in their water supply (Portland does not); the nationwide average is about 67%"

I have lived in Oregon. Met my wife in Oregon. Had our first child in Oregon. I love Oregon.

What is it with Oregon? The only state where one can't pump their own gas.

Is the fluoride thing an environmentalist thing? What explains the no gas pumping thing?

What is your theory?

David Appell said...

Pumping one's gas is also illegal in New Jersey.

It seemed strange at first, but now I'm quite happy not pumping my own gas. It would seem strange to have to do it again.