Jerry Bergman, Slaughter of the Dissidents: The Shocking Truth About killing the Careers of Darwin Doubters (Southworth, WA: Leafcutter Press, 2008), xvi + 477 Pps.
Charles Darwin once wrote that false facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long (Descent of Man). Dr. Jerry Bergman (Ph.D., Columbia Pacific University; Ph.D, Wayne State University) would agree heartily with his assessment. In fact, Bergman begins this title with a dedication to all the individuals who paid the high price they paid for standing up for their freedom (to doubt Darwinism). With this dedication, one is appropriately oriented for what the next 477 pages offer. Bergman speaks from firsthand experience, as he claims that he was denied tenure due to his creationist beliefs. Additionally, Bergman presents over 300 case studies of individuals that show, depending on one’s perspective, evidence that some university officials and faculty are apparently afraid of questioning what role Darwinian evolution should play in society today. All of the respondents reported some form of discrimination openly and often, whereas 70% claimed open prejudice, and nearly 40% claimed to possess evidence of clear discrimination based on their ID or creationist beliefs (13).
Bergman does not purport to prove or disprove Darwinian evolution, or the “New Synthesis” (often referred to as Neo-Darwinism). Rather, his primary concern is to depict the negative actions and attitudes of the dogmatic Darwinists displayed toward Darwin doubters. He argues that any form of discrimination toward these Darwin doubters should be classified as a hate crime. However, this brings up one of the most poignant weaknesses of Bergman’s entire argument: discrimination is a notoriously ambiguous and perspectival occurrence, one that may be ‘perceived’, but not readily proven or demonstrated. In fact, he sets forth eight types of discriminatory experiences by Darwin doubters: 1) they experience derogatory and inappropriate comments or innuendos, 2) denial of entrance into graduate programs, 3) denial of degrees, 4) denial of deserved promotion(s), 5) practical censorship of their work from collegiate libraries, 6) denial of tenure, 7) demotions, and 8) in some of the more severe cases, even threats of bodily harm. (3–6).
On a positive note, not all of the people whose interviews find their way into this title are positively disposed toward Bergmann’s view or analysis, which allows for a degree of diversity in presentation. This title seeks to show why it is unfair that all taxpayers fund and subsidize the teaching of an evolutionary belief-system with which they may disagree. Whether or not that was accomplished is quite debatable. However, one thing is not: Bergman has done his research and crafted an impressive rhetoric thereby. All in all, Bergman’s detailed case studies regarding the state of intellectual freedom to question Darwinian evolution is a valuable resource for the intelligent design movement. It is doubtful that any converts will be won over by his presentation, however, because the pro-creationist/ID bias is evident and immense. Nevertheless, it is a profitable read.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA