I am disappointed that I was singled out for criticism after my admission of and apology for an error, as though that was a weakness to be attacked, and then that error, which I take responsibility for, was described as having been led astray by misrepresentations by others. I am further disappointed that my error was apparently misdescribed as “various false claims,” and that the substance of the discussion in which it took place was ignored.

I actually have better things to do with my time than asking them, including Kitcher, whom I have met in person (We apparently have one interest in common aside from the evolution vs. creation debate, and we’re really more interested in discussing that other interest.).

All they would probably tell me is that they cited previous polling data which seems to be confirmed by the latest poll published last week in the Guardian. Perhaps Professor Philip Kitcher – who is a professor of philosophy at Columbia University – might have access to such data. If he hasn’t gone away yet for summer vacation, I may ask him, and get back to you.

Then perhaps you shouldn’t quote it in support of your position. But you said you could ask Ken and/or Carl about it. Please do. If this kind of data exists, then I’m very much interested in seeing it, as it would obviously change one or two things in this debate.

I’ll happily correct my mistakes, and I certainly admit that it’s far better to read firsthand before commenting on a book rather than relying on secondhand reports.

I’m not a sociologist interested in the intersection between religion and science. I don’t know if such data does exist. However, I think it is worth noting that several expatriate Britons who are noted philosophers and historians of science have expressed well-considered opinions stating that there may be a backlash against Militant Atheism amongst their fellow Britons. I think the latest poll published in the Guardian merely reaffirms what Ken Miller and Carl Zimmer have pointed out.

What you think is reasonable to assume is, I’m sorry to say, neither here nor there if you have no data to show for it. You did, however, make a specific claim about data:

In 2008 both Ken Miller and Carl Zimmer – at separate talks given months apart – presented polling data showing that approximately 40 percent of Britons reject the validity of evolution and the importance of Darwin’s work, attributing this to militant atheism as espoused by Dawkins and Hitchens, among others.

I would dearly like to see the data that attribute the rejection of evolution, at least in part, to militant atheism. Do you think you could get your hands on those data?