# Kirk Cameron's 150th Anniversary ORIGIN OF SPECIES (expurgated, the one without the gannet) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 22, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147 "2009-09-22T21:52:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/81 "2009-11-16T21:18:13Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I do wonder though- better GQ fodder but I’ll start here and move there if there’s no answer: unless Arabic is a lot different from every other language I’m familiar with it’s changed a lot in 1400 years. A Saudi businessman from Riyadh today would almost certainly speak a very different tongue than Muhammad would have spoken in the 7th century. Is 7th century Arabic still taught to Muslims? Spoken dialects of Arabic (many of which are also written in vernacular literatures, etc.) definitely have changed a lot since Muhammad’s time and are now in many cases mutually unintelligible. However, there’s also something called [Standard Arabic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Standard_Arabic), divided into Classical Arabic (the language of the Qur’an) and Modern Standard Arabic, which is used for many modern news broadcasts, newspapers, etc. in Arabic. The two forms are very similar: I learned to read medieval Classical Arabic starting with an MSA textbook, and had little trouble switching over to ninth-century manuscripts and all like that there. My Arabic isn’t fluent, but it’s good enough for me to easily see the overwhelming similarities between Classical and MSA. However, I have no clue about the modern colloquial dialects like Lebanese or Egyptian Arabic, any more than someone who learned medieval Latin and can read Pope Benedict’s modern Latin encyclicals would necessarily have a clue about reading modern French or Spanish. > [@Sampiro](#): > > I believe it is a duty of devout Muslims who do not grow up speaking Arabic to learn the language. Not sure of this. AIUI, it is mandatory to learn enough Arabic to be able to recite certain prayers in the Qur’an, kind of like when 20th-century Catholics still said the “Ave Maria” in Latin. Beyond that, learning Arabic well enough to be able to read the Qur’an in Arabic is definitely considered a Good Thing, but not absolutely required of devout Muslims. Now, back to Kirk Cameron’s nipples. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/82 "2009-11-16T21:36:48Z")
> [@Ray Comfort](#): > > We can get another clue as to the shape of the original banana by looking at the origin of the word “banana.” It comes from the name banan, which is Arabic for “finger.” Huh? [Etymology of “banana”](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=banana): > [@](#): > > 1590s, borrowed by Sp. or Port. from a W. African word, possibly Wolof _banana_. The standard Arabic word for banana is “mawz”, موز . There is an Arabic word “banaan” meaning “fingertips”, but I don’t know of any link between that and Wolof “banana”. ---
**Author:** ![StoutHearted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@StoutHearted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StoutHearted)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/83 "2009-11-16T21:45:56Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > GI? 😕 One of those wraparound jackets that is tied with a belt that you’ll see on martial-arts performers. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/84 "2009-11-16T21:53:50Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Because it is sacrilege to translate the Koran from the original Arabic. Yet when I visited a mosque I was given an English translation of the Koran. I suppose they can fudge the rules a bit when they proselytize. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/85 "2009-11-16T23:27:11Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Yet when I visited a mosque I was given an English translation of the Koran. I suppose they can fudge the rules a bit when they proselytize. Did they offer you a banana? I have read that Arabic has no words for snow but has more than 16 words for Kirk Cameron’s nipples. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/86 "2009-11-16T23:33:56Z")
Re: Comfort- this is from [his website](http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=411&Itemid=1&lang=en)(abridged): > [@](#): > > An angry backlash from atheists has prompted best-selling author Ray Comfort to stop answering questions about a special edition of Charles Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” he plans to give away on university campuses this fall. > > “From now on I will refuse to answer questions about the book or its contents,” Comfort said, "because there is such a deep-rooted anger in the atheist world about this publication. > > “They desperately want to stop us,” he said, “and I don’t want to give away any further details regarding the campaign.” Apparently that includes when it will be. > [@](#): > > Comfort asks, “Besides, if they think my arguments have no merit, why are they so upset? They should actually enjoy the fact that I’m spreading more of my idiotic claims that intelligent students will see right through - that way my stupidity will be that much more apparent.” Because it’s the atheists Bible- you said so yourself. That’s why every atheist mass starts with one of Darwin’s songs. (Any idea how hard it is to find a word that both mocks Christianity _and_ rhymes with Galapagos? > [@](#): > > Other atheist forums are calling for book burnings. Still others are using their Satanically gifted atheists telikinetic abilities to reshape the copies into pterodactyls that attack small dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/87 "2009-11-17T00:08:12Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Any idea how hard it is to find a word that both mocks Christianity _and_ rhymes with Galapagos? _Jesus was a fraud as everyone knows, Darwin proved it in the Galapagos._ ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/88 "2009-11-17T01:58:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Nitpick: As a historian, I can’t let this one by, but there really wasn’t a “flat earth” theory. People have known that the earth was round since the days of the ancient Greeks, IIRC. The idea that Columbus was the one who proved that the Earth is truly round is merely a [myth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_earth). > > So that chick needs to hit the books. [Earth Globe](http://www.1worldglobes.com/earthglobe.htm) Tru dat. The round earth was known long, long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/89 "2009-11-17T02:41:07Z")
> [@bup](#): > > A dilemma is not just a problem. It is a problem with two choices, both of which suck. Not necessarily. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dilemma](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dilemma) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/90 "2009-11-17T05:14:31Z")
> [@StoutHearted](#): > > One of those wraparound jackets that is tied with a belt that you’ll see on martial-arts performers. Thanks. Didn’t the Seavers once go on vacation to Hawaii or somewhere? Wouldn’t Mike have worn a bathing suit? ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/91 "2009-11-17T10:02:03Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Did they offer you a banana? No you silly person. You’re thinking of the catholic church. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/92 "2009-11-17T15:05:53Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Did they offer you a banana? > > I have read that Arabic has no words for snow but has more than 16 words for Kirk Cameron’s nipples. This made me laugh so hard, I’m hurting. You are awesome. ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/93 "2009-11-17T18:53:12Z")
From PZ Myers site: [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/what\_to\_do\_about\_ray\_comforts.php#comments](http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/what_to_do_about_ray_comforts.php#comments) The Panda’s Thumb discussion: [Comfort/Cameron Darwin giveaway -- all hat and no cattle?](http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2009/11/comfortcameron.html#comments-open) ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/94 "2009-11-17T23:35:28Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The Gospel According to Kathy Griffin (with a foreward by Bill Maher). I’m an agnostic but I hope both of these demon-spawned abominations get airmailed back to the Hellish pit they crawled out from. Bill Maher especially because he’s a dick who wants children to die because he doesn’t know shit about how the immune system works. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/95 "2009-11-17T23:49:12Z")
> [@Michael\_Ellis](#): > > Bill Maher especially because he’s a dick who wants children to die because he doesn’t know shit about how the immune system works. I doubt he _wants_ children to die, but I agree he’s a dumbass when it comes to health issues. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/96 "2009-11-18T16:30:55Z")
Huh, there is a list [here](http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/ray_comfort_replies_to_eugenie.php#comment-2043608), from **pythonzzz’s** link: > [@](#): > > This is second hand but I believe it to be accurate as of Sept 16th. IIRC these 50 schools were the Origin-al target > > 1. Princeton University (NJ) > 2. Harvard University (MA) > 3. Yale University (CT) > 4. Stanford University (CA) > 5. University of Pennsylvania ¶ > 6. California Institute of Technology (CA) > 7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA) > 8. Duke University (NC) > 9. Columbia University (NY) > 10. University of Chicago (IL) > 11. Dartmouth College (NH) > 12. Washington University in St. Louis (MO) > 13. Cornell University (NY) > 14. Brown University (RI) > 15. Northwestern University (IL) > 16. Johns Hopkins University (MD) > 17. Rice University (TX) > 18. Emory University (GA) > 19. Vanderbilt University (TN) > 20. Notre Dame (IN) > 21. University of California – Berkeley (CA) > 22. Carnegie Mellon University ¶ > 23. University of Virginia (VA) > 24. Georgetown University (DC) > 25. University of California—Los Angeles (CA) > 26. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor (MI) > 27. University of Southern California (CA) > 28. University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill (NC) > 29. Tufts University (MA) > 30. Wake Forest University (NC) > 31. Lehigh University ¶ > 32. Brandeis University (MA) > 33. College of William and Mary (VA) > 34. New York University (NY) > 35. University of Rochester (NY) > 36. Georgia Institute of Technology (GA) > 37. Boston College (MA) > 38. University of Wisconsin—Madison (WI) > 39. University of California—San Diego (CA) > 40. University of Illinois—Urbana – Champaign (IL) > 41. Case Western Reserve University (OH) > 42. University of Washington (WA) > 43. University of California—Davis (CA) > 44. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) > 45. University of Texas—Austin (TX) > 46. University of California—Santa Barbara (CA) > 47. University of California—Irvine (CA) > 48. Penn State University—University Park ¶ > 49. University of Florida (FL) > 50. Syracuse University (NY) Dammit, the only place in Ohio they’re hitting is Case Western. I want one of these, and I don’t want those idiots to get any money from it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/97 "2009-11-18T17:11:51Z")
They are giving them out here, at the University of Minnesota. So they must have more than 50 on the list. ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/98 "2009-11-18T17:52:32Z")
“Honest” Ray Comfort lied. Gee, never saw that coming… [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/ray\_has\_a\_change\_in\_plans.php](http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/ray_has_a_change_in_plans.php) ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/99 "2009-11-18T18:03:28Z")
Awww man. I totally want one. Anyone want to grab one for me? I’ll pay for shipping and stuff… ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147/100 "2009-11-18T18:08:38Z")
I have just been alerted that they are handing them out at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well (in front of the Biology building, no less!) Will attempt to grab one or more this afternoon. Totally non-evolved, god-designed grasping digits crossed! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kirk-camerons-150th-anniversary-origin-of-species-expurgated-the-one-without-the-gannet/511147.md?page=6)