écrasez l’infâme
The Scientific Enlightenment came at no small cost
Imprisionment, books burnt, inquisition, internment, death.
The Secular, Sceptical, Scientific spirit survived
Slowly tamed Christian fundamentalisn.
Now, a new constant vigilance is the price we must pay
As unreformed superstition seeks to establish
A new dark nest in the west –
Truly it is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.
Imprisionment, books burnt, inquisition, internment, death.
The Secular, Sceptical, Scientific spirit survived
Slowly tamed Christian fundamentalisn.
Now, a new constant vigilance is the price we must pay
As unreformed superstition seeks to establish
A new dark nest in the west –
Truly it is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.
Those who can make people believe absurdities
Can just as easily make them commit atrocities.
Common sense is not so common.
Secularism opposed again by Superstition
Free speech condemned by unholy men!
We must judge a man or woman
Solely by their independence of mind:
By the questions s/he asks,
Rather than by the answers
S/he has been taught to expect.
