Using deception to advance the Gospel is nothing new. But facing a perjury rap for doing so -- well,
that might cool the proselytizing ardor of some of these "intelligent design" stealth advocates. A judge recently (and rightly) ruled against the defendants in the Dover, Pennsylvania case over whether ID should be taught in high school biology courses -- a victory for science in general, the theory of evolution in particular. ID has little to do with science and lots to do with a rather narrow interpretation of the Christian religion.
But in his ruling, the judge, John E. Jones III, went a little further...
He called the ID-pitchmen defendants in the case liars. Which raises the question, Did the defendants lie under oath? Lying under oath is perjury, and that carries criminal penalties.
This bit of irony isn't lost on the York Daily Record:
William Buckingham and Alan Boswell wanted to bring God into high school biology class, and in the process, they lied.
They lied about their motives.
They lied about their actions.
They lied about what they did or didn't say at public meetings.
They even lied when they claimed newspaper reporters lied in stories about Dover school board meetings.
In his ruling in the Dover case, U.S. Judge John E. Jones III said it was "ironic" that individuals who "proudly touted their religious convictions in public" would "lie" under oath.
Yes, ironic -- at the very least. But also sinful according to the 9th Commandment.
And perhaps also criminal. We can only hope that the appropriate authorities are investigating possible perjury charges in this case. There should be some consequences for what Mr. Bosnell and Mr. Buckingham have done in depositions and on the witness stand by otherwise misrepresenting the facts...
Granted, there's no guarantee that any perjury charges will be filed. Creationist types tend to get kid gloves treatment for the trouble they cause. But this would be a great time to see those gloves come off...
(Judge Jones' ruling in the Dover case is here.)
(Hat tip: skippy the bush kangaroo -- my chief benefactor, I admit it...)