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Evolution's Luddites

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by Cowboy Bob Sorensen The term “Luddite” refers to a rebellious movement in the early part of the Industrial Revolution. At that time, some people were destroying machinery that was going to put them out of work because they could be replaced by unskilled, low-paid people who would run the machines  [ 1 ] . Although most people do not know the real meaning of “Luddite” today and the fear of unemployment and starvation that motivated the movement, many know the disparaging term from definition number two, “One who opposes technical or technological change” [ 2 ] . Even that meaning is being lost because the term is being used imprecisely. People who want an emotionally-charged word for their political or religious enemies will call them “Luddites” [ 3 , 4 ] . I have encountered the term dreadfully misused several time in reference to creationists. Since someone who believes in Intelligent Design or biblical (Six Day) creation is tagged with this term, it seems fitting to t