War on Embryology

Speaking at a banquet held at a Hartwell church last week, US House Representative Paul Broun declared his own personal Holy war against the study of embryology.

According to an Associated Press article Saturday, Rep. Broun stated "All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell. And it's lies to try to keep me and all the folks who are taught that from understanding that they need a savior."

As a Christian, I have, with deliberate and careful thought, come to terms with my attitudes about evolution and the “Big Bang” that allow my faith in God and my personal need for Jesus Christ to remain unquestioned.

When it comes to embryology, however, I’ve never felt or understood the need to decide whether I’m “for it or agin it.” Yet, for someone in such stature as Rep. Broun to be so demonstrative, it really concerned me.

I immediately sought to educate myself. What is embryology? (I know what you’re thinking, and you can stop right there. It’s got nothing to with Joan Embry’s family tree.)  How is it immoral? Can someone be delivered from embryology? Can you be cursed and not know it? What happens if you’ve lived your life thinking embryology is just a science, and that it must be okay?

All seriousness aside, the first thing I discovered was quite disturbing, and it gave me immediate pause. Maybe Broun was on to something. According to Embryology, humans start with anuses, and pardon the pun, go from there. It’s true, look it up.

I realized that in my search for a better understanding, I might take myself to places I really shouldn’t go.  Yet, my quest for understanding had taken shape – I felt pulled to learn more. Was that how this supposedly evil lie would take root? With an abundance of caution, I considered my next move.

I needed someone who could guide me - what exactly were the downfalls of understanding and potentially accepting embryology? Fortunately, I was able to find a specialist in the field with experience in what he calls “embryological aversion intervention”.

His name is Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke. Many years ago, he was an administrator for a renowned Psychoneurotic Institute on the west coast.

After speaking with Dr. Thorndyke, (he only accepts Paypal), I came to a better understanding of what the embryology controversy is all about. As a result, I am happy to say today, that I am at peace with myself in that regard.

The main thing I got from the session was that regardless of who we are, we’ve all been there, we've all gone through the same growing process, and we’ve all moved on to bigger and better things.  

Dr. Thorndyke indicated that he finds it disappointing and regrettable that a public figure like the Broun would choose to attack embryology. He’d prefer the Congressman pick on a science his own size – he identified myrmecology as an example.