Turkey's State Science Council Halts Publication of Evolution Books

Turkey’s State Science Council Halts Publication of Evolution Books

Republican utopia

WorldJanuary 2013 • Views: 36,991

What might America look like if the Republican Party’s anti-science agenda were enshrined into law?

For an answer, let’s look at Turkey, where religious fundamentalists in the government recently took a very dangerous, tragically misguided step, a step that many in the Republican Party would like to take in the US: Turkey’s Science State Council Halts Publication of Evolution Books.

The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has put a stop to the publication and sale of all books in its archives that support the theory of evolution, daily Radikal has reported.

The evolutionist books, previously available through TÜBİTAK’s Popular Science Publications’ List, will no longer be provided by the council.

The books have long been listed as “out of stock” on TÜBİTAK’s website, but their further publication are now slated to be stopped permanently.

Books by Richard Dawkins, Alan Moorehead, Stephen Jay Gould, Richard Levontin [sic] and James Watson are all included in the list of books that will no longer be available to the Turkish readers.

Audio: The Discovery Institute Collaborates With Turkish Creationists American Creationists Collaborate With Turkish Islamists

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63 comments

Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:41:31pm

That quote deserves a [sic] after “Levontin” - the man’s name is “Lewontin”.

Charles Johnson Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:42:10pm

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:44:49pm

Step 1 in defeating the Enlightenment: kill science.

austin_blue Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:45:04pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

And for a good reason. That would be because it is a true fact.

Evening, all.

EPR-radar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:47:19pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

It’s a self evident proposition. I’d be surprised if there is any pushback on this point in the comments.

Most Republicans love theocracy —- so they are especially opposed to radical Islamists that want to institute their beloved theocracy along incorrect (i.e., Muslim) lines.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:47:33pm

Christian creationists will now look on with ill-concealed envy at their Turkish Muslim counterparts.

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:47:50pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

All of the problems facing US citizens are due to sin and left-wing Satanic ritualism.

Stan the Demanded Plan Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:49:46pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

This is a very powerful and not adequately used analogy. What the RWNJ’s do here is exactly what they love to despise elsewhere. There is no difference.

jaunte Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:54:07pm

The creationist bloc on the Texas State Board of Education were successfully opposed in 2011, but they’re not going away.

Mich-again Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:54:40pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

The constitution is a cafeteria.. Load up on the stuff you like, leave the rest.

Mattand Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:56:23pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

And yes, I’m totally prepared to defend the statement that many Republicans would love to be able to do this here in the US.

No argument here.

EPR-radar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:57:26pm

re: #8 Stanghazi

This is a very powerful and not adequately used analogy. What the RWNJ’s do here is exactly what they love to despise elsewhere. There is no difference.

The anti-science element of RW craziness is too often dismissed as a side show. Instead, it is an important part of the movement conservative project, which in my opinion, is to roll back all aspects of society and culture to pre-enlightenment status.

Socially, it would entail restoring patriarchy in its most complete form (i.e., women/children are property of men etc.).

Politically, it would involve a system analogous to feudalism, where a tiny number of “job creators” hold all other economic classes in conditions of abject wage slavery.

Philosophically, it would involve a retreat from rationality to mindless tradition and religious authority, both employed mainly to suppress thought and to make the oppression of the new order more tolerable to the population.

jaunte Mon, Jan 14, 2013 4:59:36pm

Cynthia Dunbar: Using TX School Standards To Offset “Biblically Illiterate Society”
Speaking at The Awakening 2011, Texas Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar admits that they used state curriculum standards to teach students our laws are “revealed through the Holy Scripture.”

Youtube Video

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:00:25pm

What is dreadfully ironic here, is that during the Islamic Golden Age, there were a number of scholars that broached the topic of Evolution. How far the Islamic World has fallen.

Somewhat related, why do so many people think that King Muhammad V of Morocco was assassinated by his son? I realize they were polar opposites, but what is the story behind that conspiracy theory?

jaunte Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:02:07pm

More Dunbar:

Christians should “occupy” all nations.

President-elect Barack Obama’s pro-choice stance on abortion is the same sort of “fascist, supremacist attitude exhibited by Mussolini and Hitler.”

Public education is tyrannical, unconstitutional and the Satan-following Left’s “subtly deceptive tool of perversion.” And parents who surrender their children to government-run schools are “throwing them into the enemy’s flames even as the children of Israel threw their children to Moloch.”

These aren’t the beliefs of just any right-wing Christian zealot — no offense to the right wing or to Christians in general — but one who was elected by Texas voters to help shape the curriculum for all of Texas’ 4.5 million public schoolchildren.
[Link: www.chron.com…]

Mattand Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:02:41pm

re: #5 EPR-radar

It’s a self evident proposition. I’d be surprised if there is any pushback on this point in the comments.

I can think of three or four readers that might, right off the top of my head. One will be obvious due to the inexplicable and I’m guessing intentionally poor punctuation.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:02:54pm

re: #14 ProBosniaLiberal

What is dreadfully ironic here, is that during the Islamic Golden Age, there were a number of scholars that broached the topic of Evolution. How far the Islamic World has fallen.

Somewhat related, why do so many people think that King Muhammad V of Morocco was assassinated by his son? I realize they were polar opposites, but what is the story behind that conspiracy theory?

I’ve never heard of that conspiracy theory. But as to the triumph of creationism in Turkey…..two words for you, and I’d be willing to bet most people here know this fellow. His initials are H.Y., and that’s his nom-de-plume.

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:04:16pm

re: #15 jaunte

If I’m correct, weren’t Hitler and Mussolini all about the Barefoot and Pregnant women, with heavily restricted rights?

And she seems to be adopting a Christian version of the BJP’s stance. Or, in other words, she is trying to promote a fascistic Christianity.

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:04:17pm

re: #4 austin_blue

And for a good reason. That would be because it is a true fact.

Evening, all.

Also true — Lance used performance enhancing drugs. The cyclists here in town will be talking about it forever.

But yes. ‘Tis true. The GOP would ban books on evolution in this country if they could.

kirkspencer Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:05:16pm

re: #19 Lidane

Also true — Lance used performance enhancing drugs. The cyclists here in town will be talking about it forever.

But yes. ‘Tis true. The GOP would ban books on evolution in this country if they could.

A question that keeps popping into my mind: how many of his competitors were using as well?

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:06:17pm

re: #17 Dr Lizardo

I’ve never heard of that conspiracy theory. But as to the triumph of creationism in Turkey…..two words for you, and I’d be willing to bet most people here know this fellow. His initials are H.Y., and that’s his nom-de-plume.

Adnan Oktar

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:07:05pm

re: #13 jaunte

Cynthia Dunbar: Using TX School Standards To Offset “Biblically Illiterate Society”
Speaking at The Awakening 2011, Texas Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar admits that they used state curriculum standards to teach students our laws are “revealed through the Holy Scripture.”

[Embedded content]

*sigh*

HOW do these fuckwits keep getting elected?

Also, these nutbars are the main reason why I would love to see the textbook scam eliminated. That and the fact that textbooks are overpriced paperweights most of the time.

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:07:37pm

re: #20 kirkspencer

A question that keeps popping into my mind: how many of his competitors were using as well?

All of them. I’d bet money on it.

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:08:58pm

re: #20 kirkspencer

I’ve heard many say that most did.

re: #17 Dr Lizardo

I think I know who you are talking about.

I’ve heard that, on this, the Hyper-Conservative Christians have been helping our nutjobs.

Again, this is really sad, considering where we were 600-800 years ago. Somebody needs to slap sense back into us.

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:09:08pm

re: #22 Lidane

*sigh*

HOW do these fuckwits keep getting elected?

Also, these nutbars are the main reason why I would love to see the textbook scam eliminated. That and the fact that textbooks are overpriced paperweights most of the time.

There’s a fuckwit conspiracy working toward a fuckwit dominionation.

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:10:24pm

re: #21 b_sharp

Yeah, that’s the guy.

Does anybody have a clue on the Moroccan thing? Last year, I found a badly translated article, but it wasn’t at all clear.

Charles Johnson Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:11:01pm

re: #19 Lidane

Yep, Lance was a doper. Which I could actually forgive, because the fact is the whole sport does it. But Armstrong went out of his way to smear and try to destroy people who told the truth about him, and even won several large court judgments. Some of those people are now suing him to get those judgments back. And Floyd Landis has filed a federal whistle-blower suit against Armstrong for defrauding the US Post Office.

He’ll still come out of this with a lot of money, but nobody will ever forget the things he did to try to protect his kingdom of lies.

It’s also still a fact that he was an amazing cyclist, drugs or not. But cycling talent and human decency don’t always correlate, and Lance Armstrong is the prime example.

Kragar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:11:17pm

I’m confused about how following the model of Somalia and other third world dictatorships and theocracies keeps America great.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:11:36pm

re: #21 b_sharp

Adnan Oktar

You nailed it. He’s big in Turkey, that’s for sure.

I’ve seen some of his stuff. If he’d stick with the peace and love, he’d be quite tolerable actually. On that at least, I will give him some credit. Lately, he’s been hanging out with Freemasons and rabbis.

Charles Johnson Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:11:57pm

I wonder if Sheryl Crow knew he was doping.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:12:31pm

re: #24 ProBosniaLiberal

I’ve heard many say that most did.

re: #17 Dr Lizardo

I think I know who you are talking about.

I’ve heard that, on this, the Hyper-Conservative Christians have been helping our nutjobs.

Again, this is really sad, considering where we were 600-800 years ago. Somebody needs to slap sense back into us.

He’s got quite a bit of pull in Turkey, at least in terms of popularity. But I know he’s controversial as well.

Kragar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:12:45pm

re: #30 Charles Johnson

I wonder if Sheryl Crow knew he was doping.

All she wanted to do was have some fun, and she had a feeling she wasn’t the only one.

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:14:02pm

Speaking of books, this is a cool idea IMO:

First bookless library opening in San Antonio… news.yahoo.com/library-withou…
— Mayor Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 15, 2013

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:14:54pm

I would love to know why some people think Hassan II killed his father.

Kragar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:16:01pm

re: #34 ProBosniaLiberal

I would love to know why some people think Hassan II killed his father.

That should be obvious.

Benghazi.

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:16:02pm

re: #33 Lidane

And Julian Castro just replied to my tweet about that. Neat.

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:16:11pm

re: #29 Dr Lizardo

You nailed it. He’s big in Turkey, that’s for sure.

I’ve seen some of his stuff. If he’d stick with the peace and love, he’d be quite tolerable actually. On that at least, I will give him some credit. Lately, he’s been hanging out with Freemasons and rabbis.

He’s worked tirelessly to discredit evolution for at least ten years. I have no respect for him what-so-ever.

Mich-again Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:16:24pm

re: #32 Kragar

She likes a beer buzz early in the morning..

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:18:14pm

re: #35 Kragar

I found one thing. Apparently an American Ambassador to Morocco at the time thought so.

U.S. Ambassador Charles W. Yost saw King Mohammed V hours before his death and was among those who suspected that Hassan II had a hand in his father’s sudden death.

kirkspencer Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:18:25pm

re: #33 Lidane

Speaking of books, this is a cool idea IMO:

[Embedded content]

A major problem still being fought in library land is that a lot of publishers won’t let libraries buy ebooks — and the ones they do allow are sold with interesting restrictions.

Lidane Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:19:04pm

Waiting for @ggreenwald to claim Aaron Swartz didn’t commit suicide but was actually killed by a drone on Obama’s orders.
— Danielle Blake (@DCPlod) January 15, 2013

Achilles Tang Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:19:07pm

Could this be a reason, the op, why Turkey is still not a member of the EU, and likely never will be?

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:19:55pm

re: #37 b_sharp

He’s worked tirelessly to discredit evolution for at least ten years. I have no respect for him what-so-ever.

I think he’s been at it longer than that.

I will give him some credit for at least trying to call out the Islamic fanatics and preach a somewhat (culturally) modern, hip version of Islam. He’s good at that, and when he sticks to that, he’s effective.

Science…….ehh, not so much. You’re right in that he’s done quite a bit to discredit evolution for quite some time now, and apparently, with some success, sad to say.

Killgore Trout Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:21:29pm

re: #41 Lidane

[Embedded content]

I’m sure that nutty chick from the Guardian who wrote the fake story about the banks and DHS coordinating the OWS crackdown will be on it too.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:24:01pm

re: #42 Achilles Tang

Could this be a reason, the op, why Turkey is still not a member of the EU, and likely never will be?

Not really. The real reason is that there’s a lot of Europeans having a fear of being overrun by “Turkish hordes”.

However, I have heard some ideas percolating in the EU that owing to Turkey’s recent economic miracle, maybe they were a bit hasty. Right now, for a lot of Europeans, the Turks are looking like a solution to some problems. I hear that from my students, many of whom are within the EU bureaucracy.

Gus Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:26:06pm

re: #41 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Fuck him.

EPR-radar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:26:18pm

re: #42 Achilles Tang

Could this be a reason, the op, why Turkey is still not a member of the EU, and likely never will be?

Turkey entering the EU is a difficult proposition. It has long had restrictions on religion that are inconsistent with EU ideals. When these restrictions are lifted, Islamists come into power and the military may or may not intervene. Islamists and military government also tend to be inconsistent with EU ideals.

Of course, whether the EU ideals mean anything in practice is a different question…

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:27:06pm

re: #45 Dr Lizardo

Notice how much of the Opposition is coming out of the areas formerly dominated by the Holy Roman Empire?

That’s not a coincidence.

b_sharp Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:27:07pm

re: #43 Dr Lizardo

I think he’s been at it longer than that.

I will give him some credit for at least trying to call out the Islamic fanatics and preach a somewhat (culturally) modern, hip version of Islam. He’s good at that, and when he sticks to that, he’s effective.

Science…….ehh, not so much. You’re right in that he’s done quite a bit to discredit evolution for quite some time now, and apparently, with some success, sad to say.

I haven’t paid attention to him outside the evolution fight.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:27:40pm

re: #47 EPR-radar

Turkey entering the EU is a difficult proposition. It has long had restrictions on religion that are inconsistent with EU ideals. When these restrictions are lifted, Islamists come into power and the military may or may not intervene. Islamists and military government also tend to be inconsistent with EU ideals.

Of course, whether the EU ideals mean anything in practice is a different question…

Have you been following this whole Ergenkon trial? It’s pretty interesting, especially if you enjoy conspiracy theory type stuff.

ProBosniaLiberal Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:28:07pm

re: #47 EPR-radar

If the EU can accept Hungary in its authoritarian form it is in now, they can accept Turkey in its goofy way.

darthstar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:29:44pm

Update on day 1 of job searching…

10:00am - activated resume on Dice.com
10:30am - call from recruiter
11:00am - email from second recruiter while walking dogs on beach
11:15am - spoke with second recruiter about opportunity
11:30am - sent copy of resume to second recruiter
2:30pm - recruiter calls me back to confirm phone screen with company…his exact words were, “Holy cow, that was fast.” Spent most of the rest of the day researching the company, downloading PDF files and looking at their demo slides to understand what they do, and figuring out how to tailor my experience to their services as I understand them.

WTF? I haven’t even gotten used to the idea of living on 450 dollars a week in unemployment. Granted, I don’t have the job yet, and nothing is guaranteed, but three hours? My resume’s good, but I don’t think it’s that good. Also, a buddy of mine knows the CEO of another company I’m interested in, and is putting me forward through him…so I’d like to have time to take a look at that, but this does let me know the market for IT managers is pretty good right now.

EPR-radar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:30:48pm

re: #51 ProBosniaLiberal

If the EU can accept Hungary in its authoritarian form it is in now, they can accept Turkey in its goofy way.

That is the kind of thing my skepticism about the EU ideals was insuring against. FWIW, I think this should be made to work, if at all possible. Of course, if Turkey joins the EU, they should stay away from the Euro.

darthstar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:31:28pm

Oh, and I put some more samples of paint colors on the dining room wall for my wife. I’m loving the job I did painting our TV room. The dining room will be a lot easier…taped and primer painted it yesterday. Hopefully I’ll get it done (pending color selection) before I get busy with interviews.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:31:49pm

re: #49 b_sharp

I haven’t paid attention to him outside the evolution fight.

Outside of evolution, he’s been preaching rapprochement with Jewish people, been hanging out with Freemasons, and been busy denouncing all forms of religious extremism and terrorism. He’s come pretty close to saying that Muslims who practice terrorism are disbelievers or apostate Muslims, which in Islam is a pretty serious charge to level at someone.

I can appreciate that part of what he says…..when he starts talking evolution, I tune him out.

I’ve met him, when I was in Istanbul. I know some people that work for him. He’s actually a nice guy in real life. He’ll talk your ear off, but he’s an interesting fellow. I was more impressed with meeting Sheikh Muhammad Nazim al-Qubrusi in Lefke, personally.

dragonath Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:32:48pm

Aw hell.

Can’t say it’s really too much of a surprise though. A relative of mine over there was warning against the AK Party well before anyone in the West really noticed.

Magazines like the Economist were painting a positive picture of Erdogan until recently based on his economic record. It reminds me of people supporting Rick Perry.

EPR-radar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:33:12pm

re: #50 Dr Lizardo

Have you been following this whole Ergenkon trial? It’s pretty interesting, especially if you enjoy conspiracy theory type stuff.

Can’t say that I have. From a brief look on-line, it looks like spectating that would be at least a part time job.

Stan the Demanded Plan Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:35:00pm

re: #54 darthstar

Oh, and I put some more samples of paint colors on the dining room wall for my wife. I’m loving the job I did painting our TV room. The dining room will be a lot easier…taped and primer painted it yesterday. Hopefully I’ll get it done (pending color selection) before I get busy with interviews.

I think you need to take at least a month before accepting another position. Enjoy that 450/wk. Holy shit, all I want to do is stop working for a spell.

advice from me to you.

Dr Lizardo Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:35:44pm

re: #57 EPR-radar

Can’t say that I have. From a brief look on-line, it looks like spectating that would be at least a part time job.

A friend of mine’s a freelance journalist out of Ankara. It’s wild and wooly, to put it mildly. Conspiracies within conspiracies, the “deep state”, the whole magilla. It really does read like something out of an espionage/conspiracy thriller.

darthstar Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:38:33pm

re: #58 Stanghazi

I think you need to take at least a month before accepting another position. Enjoy that 450/wk. Holy shit, all I want to do is stop working for a spell.

advice from me to you.

I got laid off Dec 4th. I already took five weeks off without so much as looking at a job board. In the past, I’ve usually found a job within a few weeks. Am hoping I still have that magic. I’ll be a wreck if I don’t get any good leads before mid-February…even though we can afford to have me out of work for a few months - we will be burning a little bit of our savings during that time and I prefer to be busy. When I do get an offer, I’ll milk the two-three week window before starting for all its worth.

Stan the Demanded Plan Mon, Jan 14, 2013 5:58:23pm

re: #60 darthstar

I got laid off Dec 4th. I already took five weeks off without so much as looking at a job board. In the past, I’ve usually found a job within a few weeks. Am hoping I still have that magic. I’ll be a wreck if I don’t get any good leads before mid-February…even though we can afford to have me out of work for a few months - we will be burning a little bit of our savings during that time and I prefer to be busy. When I do get an offer, I’ll milk the two-three week window before starting for all its worth.

dang, as usual, time flies.

you will be fine. Good lucky!

JeffFX Tue, Jan 15, 2013 6:41:43am

re: #52 darthstar

Update on day 1 of job searching…

It’s a good time to be in IT. I posted my resume to Monster because I’d had enough of my bipolar manager, and was flooded with prospective jobs. The manager resigned so I didn’t wind up changing positions, but there are plenty of opportunities out there.

John Q Tue, Jan 15, 2013 12:47:30pm

Yet another reason Turkey is not ready to join the EU - along with dismal human tights record and refusal to acknowledge its history of genocide.

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