Who is this guy and why is he Science Minister if he doesn’t believe in science?
Canada’s science minister, the man at the centre of the controversy over federal funding cuts to researchers, won’t say if he believes in evolution.
“I’m not going to answer that question. I am a Christian, and I don’t think anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate,” Gary Goodyear, the federal Minister of State for Science and Technology, said in an interview with The Globe and Mail.
A funding crunch, exacerbated by cuts in the January budget, has left many senior researchers across the county scrambling to find the money to continue their experiments.
Some have expressed concern that Mr. Goodyear, a chiropractor from Cambridge, Ont., is suspicious of science, perhaps because he is a creationist.
Nooooooo… ya think!?? The really terrifying thing is that Goodyear wasn’t asked about his religion, as he claimed — he was asked if he believes in something that’s proven scientific fact. Oops. Oh no.
Meanwhile over at the NatPo, an indignant Jonathan Kay charges in to accuse the Globe & Mail and its Militant Secular allies of “smearing religion”:
But according to militant secularists — given disgracefully prominent play by the Globe & Mail in today’s edition — that’s not good enough. They want everyone in society — or at least everyone leading this country — to dogmatically subscribe to the minority view that God had no role at all in human creation. […]
In general, I try not to get too animated by what runs in other newspapers. On slow news days, all editors — including those at this newspaper — occasionally feel obligated to get readers riled up about not-so-exciting b-rate news events. But this particular Globe story is a disgrace. There is an air of witch-hunt about it. What other public figures will the Globe “out” as suspected Godly followers, one wonders? The clear implication is that service in the federal Cabinet is a privilege open only to that minority of Canadians who subscribe rigidly to the tenets of atheism.
Two words, JK: “Science Minister“, with emphasis on “Science“. We “militant secularists” really don’t give a flying fuck what whacked-out views people wish to delude themselves with as long as they resist the urge to impose them on us. However, we don’t expect our government (that we pay for) to engage in the ominously Bushian tactic of appointing the worst possible people to government portfolios. Imagine if the Finance Minister said that according to his religion, there was no such thing as an economic crisis (so stop worrying and enjoy your life).
The CPC couldn’t find anyone better-equipped to handle the science portfolio than someone who for all intents and purposes might as well believe the world is flat? You have to wonder what that says about the rest of their line-up. No freaking wonder Harper usually keeps them muzzled.
UPDATE: Oh no… the shame of it all.
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/silver/tny_ag_en_usoz_2.gif)
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/gold/t24_au_en_usoz_2.gif)
unrepentant old hippie 
The worst of it is that he confuses science with religion. Someone should clue the idiot in, and change his portfolio, preferably to the back bench.
“They want everyone in society — or at least everyone leading this country — to dogmatically subscribe to the minority view that God had no role at all in human creation … The clear implication is that service in the federal Cabinet is a privilege open only to that minority of Canadians who subscribe rigidly to the tenets of atheism” (from Jonathan Kay)
Bunk.
Reasonable answers from GG could have been:
“I personally don’t believe in evolution / am not sure whether I do / my personal beliefs are not pertinent to my role as government minister / but
a) I think science is a worthwhile endeavour anyway
b) we need to keep exploring life from many different angles
c) we live in a multi-facetted society and my role as science minister in such a society requires that I carry the torch for the society I represent and not for my personal beliefs
But then, reason is what is missing from this picture, isn’t it.
Ya, why can’t these guys at least come up with a good answer, if they’re so above science – smarter than science, as it were? Maybe we could at least know what he does know or believe in re metaphysics and the origins of the world?
Somebody should tell Harper that the world has moved on from Bush-era overweening religious influence.
(And furthermore, I wanna know what church Jonathan Kay goes to, and if Jesus really is his Saviour – if that’s not such a disgraceful question, that is.)
Looks to me like Jebus is riding side-saddle. We know what that means.
Kay’s article has an “update” saying that Goodyear believes in evolution: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wevol0317/BNStory/politics/home
Except I don’t read in there that he believes in Darwinian evolution – he believes that human beings are evolving within their environment, over years and decades. If he thinks that is evolution (a common creationist ploy to deflect attention from their denial of the obvious), then he’s even less versed in science than we had hoped.
It doesn’t really bother me that much if he doesn’t “believe” in evolution. But he should at least know the theory well enough to describe and discuss it properly, rather than change the subject to talk about microscopes and social changes. I mean, as Science minister, eh? Or perhaps ministerial-type politicians are not very relevant.
Alison
A question about science shouldn’t prompt a response about religion. That’s the flat-earther giveaway.
orange – Kay is really reaching with that column. The thing he neglects to address is SCIENCE, it’s not like Goodyear is Minister of (insert practically anything else, which would be preferable to science). Someone who has trouble distinguishing religious belief from scientific fact just doesn’t belong anywhere near the science portfolio.
From a science minister, there’s only one acceptable answer to the question “Do you believe in evolution”, and that’s YES. Nuanced answers are only okay from those not involved with that particular portfolio.
brebis
No kidding. What is he trying to accomplish by appointing someone like Goodyear as science minister? Other than showing how highly he thinks of science (which is, not highly at all).
I read about the inevitable furious backpedaling by Goodyear last night — oh, so now he does believe in evolution? Right 😆 The evolution of his job to the backbench. He still gave some convoluted explanation, rather than just saying “Yes”.
It wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t believe in evolution, as long as he didn’t have anything to do with the science portfolio. Make him minister of transportation or minister of loaves & fishes, not science (or education, come to think of it).
RB
Well RB, hanging out with all those men all the time…? No wife? Hmmm? Yep. 😉
brebis – I just re-read his answer… “Of course I do! But it’s irrelevant.” And then goes on to talk about evolving from high heels to running shoes…?? Uh, no. He doesn’t believe in Darwinian evolution, he believes in evolution like the evolution of my hand into a fist.
We are doomed. This government is the apocalypse for those of us who believe in secular society and rule. Dayum, I feel like I woke up in small town Texas.
Unless that town happens to be Austin. I was just saying to JA Baker (who’s from Texas) that Texas is like 2 different countries within one state — south Texas is progressive, the rest… not so much.
But back to us: I don’t think we’re doomed as long as we keep an eye on this stuff. I’m sure there are creationists all through the CPC government, but fortunately not in positions where their religious beliefs would be in direct confllict with their job. Sadly that’s not the case with Goodyear.
A personal belief in creationism isn’t an issue in and of itself, but when he conflates science with religion, then yes, if his portfolio is SCIENCE, there’s a problem. What I can’t believe is the number of people who perceive this as an attack on his religion… talk about missing the point.
Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am impressed!
Extremely useful information particularly the closing section :
) I care for such information much. I was seeking
this certain information for a very lengthy time. Thank you and
good luck.