Beware the Jabberwock

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!" -
-Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky (1871)

I first came across this poem, in a literature module (of course) some 13 years ago whilst in secondary school. For those, coming across this poem for the first time, do not bother looking up the dictionary for words like, 'Jabberwock' , 'Jubjub' , 'frumious' etc. Those words don't exist. What Lewis Carroll wrote is described as a 'nonsense verse'. Well not entirely nonsense. In effect he uses portmanteau to create some sort of 'sense'. He intended it as a sort of parody but it became in itself a classic poem. But I have digressed. I shall leave 'Jabberwocky' to entertain students of literature.

Sometime ago, I realised that during my school years, not even a word of evolution was mentioned. A wonderful marvel of nature, that has led to the great diversity of life on this planet, does not even get a passing mention. Incredulously, I find that there are a growing number of groups that claim they are skeptical of this process. The skepticism ranges from a disbelief that the universe is some 10 billion years old, to a disbelief in macro-evolution, to some who feel that some sort of 'Designer' is responsible for this Universe.

Now, I am fine, with those that look at Evolution and say, "Wow, God must have created this process." And I am doubtful that Science(or Religion for that matter) can ever answer the question, "Why we exist?" or indeed, "Why must we, or the Universe exist?". But amongst them exist a growing vocal body which claims that humans co-existed with the dinosaurs. Yes, people are free to believe in whatever they choose but when that belief system seeks to influence what I am taught in school or seeks to advice the government on their views on life, then the alarm must be raised.

Having adopted a militant and literal interpretation of their 'story books', they further seek to cement that, with some junk and manure they conveniently label as science. Please do take some time to visit this site for a rebuttal of frequent creationist arguments.

This brand of literalist preachers, whose ideology is not unlike that of the Tailban fighters, have deceived the common folk. Using the facade of science, this 'Intelligent' Design movement habitually lies about the credentials of its contributors and frequently cite refuted materials as evidence.

Like Lewis Carroll, they have created some 'sense' out of the rubbish. Like a Jabberwock, we must be wary of the 'the jaws that bite and the claws that catch.' . We must not give these shameless fabricators of lies any quarter.

"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."
- Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky (1871)