The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question.

I can envision observations and experiments that would disprove any evolutionary theory I know.

All science is intelligent inference; excessive literalism is delusion, not a humble bowing to evidence.

Skepticism's bad rap arises from the impression that, however necessary the activity, it can only be regarded as a negative removal of false claims. Not so... Proper debunking is done in the interest of an alternate model of explanation, not as a nihilistic exercise. The alternate model is rationality itself, tied to moral decency--the most powerful joint instrument for good that our planet has ever known.

Fundamentalism is rigorously and systematically used to indoctrinate and subjugate young minds. It is a contraceptive designed to prevent intellectual fertilization.

Since we proposed punctuated equilibria to explain trends, it is infuriating to be quoted again and again by creationists-whether through design or stupidity, I do not know-as admitting that the fossil record includes no transitional forms. Transitional forms are generally lacking at the species level, but they are abundant between larger groups.

When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of political manipulation are sown.