Can I get an Amen?
Cow & Boy by Mark Leiknes.
Science
Francis Collins stepping down
Francis Collins is not only (or was) the head of the Human Genome Institute, he is also a convert to Christianity. He wrote The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief (which leads me to make two observations [1] we know it is scholarly because there is a colon in the title and [2] we know from the title that Dr. Jim West will not like it since if you need evidence it is not faith). He also had a moderated “debate” in Time Magazine with Richard Dawkins a year or so ago.
Well, it looks like he is moving on. For whatever reasons, I hope he stays in science.
Head of Human Genome Institute to Step Down
Francis S. Collins announced today that he would step down on August 1 as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. He has led the organization, part of the National Institutes of Health, since 1993 and headed up the Human Genome Project until it concluded a decade later.
Dr. Collins said he was leaving his position in order to write and to explore other professional opportunities. “I may need greater latitude than my current position allows,” he said in a written statement, “to pursue other potential positions of service without encountering any possible conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived.”
The current deputy director of the institute, Alan E. Guttmacher, will become acting director while a formal search for a permanent director is under way.
The NIH’s director, Elias A. Zerhouni, thanked Dr. Collins for “15 years of outstanding leadership” and called him “a trailblazer in the scientific community at large.” —Lila Guterman
Winner! Most misleading post title (or The Virgin STD)
Loony Fundamentalist points us to an article on the important study that shows that 26% of American teenage girls have at least one STD. But was it for humor or a simple error that led to this nonsensical post title:
Scientific Researchers: Abstinence causes the spread of STDs
Abstinence-only sex education programs may lead to increased cases of STDs, as pointed out in the article, but abstinence itself, while it may lead to lots of things (lonely nights, awkward dates, and…well, I don’t really need to relive high school, do I?), will not lead to STD since it is missing the S. 
(And while I do not want to post it here myself, I will point you to a very funny Harry Potter-themed comic on the topic. Don’t worry, it is not too rude. Just a bit Tilling, is all.)
(Via Looney.)
Scientific study into religious belief launched – University of Oxford
I posted a twitter to this link while I was out of town. Here is the direct OU link:
Scientific study into religious belief launched – University of Oxford
This study will not prove or disprove any aspect of religion, it will allow us to have a more intelligent and informed debate.
-Professor Roger Trigg
Is that really what we want? Isn’t name calling and dilettantism more fun?
Stephen Fry And Christopher Hitchens Debating Blasphemy
UPDATE: I am only about 30 minutes into it and Christopher Hitchens is doing his typical, I can tolk over anyone I like and use as much profanity as I like because I am a wit. He is not. Stephen Fry is, but he is too often a mere chuckle in the microphone.SO far, both espouse a love for things religious but not for religion. CH calls himself an “antitheist” and SF was once enamored with the Anglican Communion.
MORE: CH is so incredibly obnoxious finally a person in the crowd shouts “Let Stephen talk!” and everyone applauds. They are on to audience questions now (a lot of American bashing in the whole thing) and I realize that haven’t really said anything of substance. Like the best of British humor, a lot of wonderful word play and wit and very little content. A bit like eating a meringue…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I have not yet listened to it (I will while cleaning the dishes in a mo) but I am looking forward to it. Apparently Fry defends God!
Stephen Fry And Christopher Hitchens Debating Blasphemy
Stephen Fry and the journalist Christopher Hitchens discusn freedom of speech, religious tolerance, multiculturalism and orthodoxy…
The speakers at the debate were the actor and writer Stephen Fry and the journalist Christopher Hitchens, and their frequently heated discussion covered issues of freedom of speech, religious tolerance, multiculturalism and orthodoxy. It was a fascinating, thought-provoking and – as you’d expect from two such consummate orators – extremely entertaining event, and as a warm-up to this year’s Hay Festival, the good people at Radio Hay, the festival’s online broadcaster, have kindly allowed us to offer you the chance to hear it for yourself
And Dvorak warns, course language!(Via Dvorak Uncensored.)
