Pharyngula ‘Jumps the Shark’

Jumping the shark is a colloquialism used by U.S. TV critics and fans to denote the point in a TV or movie series at which the characters or plot veer into a ridiculous, out-of-the-ordinary storyline. Shows that have “jumped the shark” are typically deemed to have passed their peak, since they have undergone too many changes to retain their original appeal, and after this point critical fans often sense a noticeable decline in the show’s quality.

I’ve resisted the urge to write about Pharyngula for a long time. I did so because I have always felt that scientists should be the ones fighting against the intrusion of evangelicalism into their field and since PZ Meyers is a scientist I figured he was doing good work. In the respect that he was defending his field, my hat was off to him. I’ve written before about how I am no fan of evangelicals and their attempts to inteject faith into science.

But I’ve also written about how I don’t have any more love for evangelical atheists or their own tactics. One thing I probably didn’t cover in detail was their use of science as a weapon. Using the ID effort by certain mis-guided Christians as a springboard, atheists are now trying to position themselves as defenders of science. This is a joke. Scientists are defenders of science (hence the previous pass given to Pharyngula). Those who aren’t scientists are welcome to complain about ID and those of us of faith should be trying to put a chokehold on evangelical Christians, but at the end of the day it is scientists who must defend their field. I am not suggesting we abandon scientists in this fight. Instead I’m suggesting their opions carry the most weight.

So Pharyngula is an interesting situation. On one hand, the guy is a scientist so I completely understand why he would want to declare war on evangelicals. But on the other hand, he’s a committed atheist with a devoted following. So I just decided to ignore his site and keep my comments to myself, seeing this dual-role as too complicated for my analysis. But then just recently Mr. Meyers decided to throw any respect generated by his profession out the window in favor of his own evangelical atheist goals.

Here’s where he delves into the ridiculous:

Can anyone out there score me some consecrated communion wafers? There’s no way I can personally get them – my local churches have stakes prepared for me, I’m sure – but if any of you would be willing to do what it takes to get me some, or even one, and mail it to me, I’ll show you sacrilege, gladly, and with much fanfare. I won’t be tempted to hold it hostage…but will instead treat it with profound disrespect and heinous cracker abuse, all photographed and presented here on the web. I shall do so joyfully and with laughter in my heart.

I want to be clear that if anyone is disrespectful enough to do this, that is between them and their concience while they are here on earth and if we of faith are correct, they can sort the rest out with God one day. I think it’s dumb and childish, but it’s not worth getting worked up over. After all, that’s what Mr. Meyers wants from us. It’s just the kind of attention that evangelicals crave.

What I think this clearly demonstrates though is that Mr. Meyers (I won’t dishonor his profession by calling him a professor) has indeed ‘jumped the shark’ most likely because he has gotten caught up in his own cult of personality. The national media attention will no doubt feed his ego even further, so stay tuned for more silliness.

What upsets me the most though is that science has lost one person who could have helped fight the good fight to keep their field free of the the intrusion of evangelical Christians. PZ Meyers chose to feed his ‘fame’ over being a good steward of science. Sad, but true.