A world lit by science

HD 278942: The "Wreath" nebula.

In Ross Douthat's idiotic op-ed on Hitchens' death, duly eviscerated by many bloggers, he used a phrase I've heard before. It's wingnut phrasing, meant to disparage atheists:

". . . the bloodless prophets of a world lit only by Science."

I love how they call reliance on science "bloodless" or "hollow". These people are so totally confused that they think scientists miss out on the awe factor, something they say their religion provides in spades. Indeed. How strange are these people?

Carroll calls out Douthat

Ross Douthat, one of the empty-headed, rightwing blowhard-columnists that the NY Times inexplicably hosts, wrote a truly sickening article about Hell yesterday. Short version: He likes the idea and wants it to exist. Eternal torment is a great idea, thinks little Ross. Here's a link to the thing, if you want to make yourself nauseous.

But a far better move is to read Sean Carroll's post on Douthat's column. Carroll is one of our preeminent physicists and he gives Douthat exactly what he deserves: a tongue-lashing. It's a great post that I think you'll enjoy reading.

Anyone who believes in Hell is an evil, hateful pig. Just saying.