Not long ago I read an Associated Press story about two Swedish geologists who have found, as the story puts it, “…fossilized feces from a worm that lived some 500 million years ago…” One of the geologists, Mats Eriksson, said that he and his partner analyzed the phosphorus level in the samples and “…realized pretty soon that it could not be anything other than coprolites, in other words fossilized dung.”
I bring this up for a couple of different reasons. When I first read the story and realized that the fecal matter of worms was dug up after 500 million years, I was immediately reminded that I need to go out in the yard and clean up after my dog. Although neither the dog nor his droppings are 500 million years old, I think some of the clumps, after a long winter, might be in the early stages of fossilization.
The other reason I’m writing about ancient worm feces is that it occurred to me as I was getting out the scooper that there are many people who will scoff at the thought of 500-million-year-old poop, convinced as they are that the earth and all of the poop it holds are no more than 10,000 years old. Of course, that idea makes no sense at all in light of the available evidence, including the dating techniques the Swedish geologists used to ascertain the age of the worm poop. Nonetheless, young-earth creationists will tell you that the geologists are mistaken, deliberately lying about the worm feces, or just under the influence of Satan.
Because of nonsensical beliefs like that, I’m considering joining a religious body after years of assiduous agnosticism. Not a Christian church, mind you, most of which are a bit too hateful for my tastes, but the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The FSM church first became widely known when a 24-year-old Oregonian named Bobby Henderson wrote an open letter to the Kansas State Board of Education, which was considering dumbing down the state science standard to allow for Intelligent Design "Theory” (read: religious creationism) to be taught as an alternative to biological evolution.
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
Ha! I laugh at your puny Spaghetti god. My Gopher God can beat up your God
2 - O. Townley
Huh? Before you write (and we have to read) anymore drivel like this, I would suggest you read-up on the subject. ID can (and should) co-exist with Evolution. Creationism will not and cannot.
3 - Bruder Internetto
It would be great to have you with us, Jim .. there might be nothing better as to do so. Just think of all the fun you will have not only while still alive, but also in your afterlife ;D
And as a note to O. Townley : Intelligent Design IS Creationism, just wrapped in new clothings.
I would suggest you google-up on the subject ;D
And then : Become A Pirate - TODAY !
4 - Joan Hunt
I've been picketed by the FSM and his pastafarians. Over photographs. Photos!
That said, I still love the whole FSM mythology.
5 - Victor Plenty
Arr!
6 - Gaspode
Praise be! I too have been touched by His Noodly Appendage. Together let us be strong in our faith!
And let there be pasta!